The Rwandan music scene continues to thrive, offering listeners an opportunity to relax and enjoy their weekends with vibrant new creations. This week saw an array of fresh tracks from talented artists spanning mainstream and Gospel genres.
One of the standout releases is “Show y’Igikwe” by Uworizagwira Florien, known artistically as Yampano. This energetic song features a collaboration with Uncle Austin—a celebrated musician and media personality in Rwanda. The track has already captured fans' attention, marking an important milestone in Yampano’s musical journey.
In an exclusive interview with InyaRwanda, Yampano reflected on the profound influence Uncle Austin has had on his perspective of Rwandan music. Their connection dates back to 2012 when Yampano was first introduced to Austin as an artist whose distinctive music dominated radio airwaves. It wasn’t until Yampano relocated to Kigali that he discovered Austin’s career in media.
Yampano elaborated: “I’ve admired Uncle Austin for years. When I first encountered him, his music stood out. After moving to Kigali, I learned he was also a journalist, which further deepened my respect for him.”
The artist shared his experience of unsuccessfully reaching out to Austin for collaborations in the past due to Austin’s demanding schedule. However, persistence paid off recently when Yampano approached Austin with “Show y’Igikwe.”
He revealed: “I kept trying to collaborate with him, but it didn’t work out initially. This time, when I pitched the idea of working on ‘Show y’Igikwe,’ he agreed without hesitation and made time over the weekend. We immediately recorded the song together.”
Yampano expressed gratitude over working with Uncle Austin, praising his professionalism, humility, and commitment to delivering high-quality music.
“Austin genuinely amazed me with his approach to this project. His unique voice and dedication are unmatched. I’d like to thank him for agreeing to collaborate on ‘Show y’Igikwe,’” Yampano said.
The song’s dynamic vibe reflects Uncle Austin’s signature style while emphasizing Yampano’s determination to establish his presence in Rwanda’s entertainment industry by teaming up with experienced artists.
Along with Yampano's release, several other Rwandan artists unveiled fresh tracks this week, including Gauchi, Khalfan, Igor Mabano, Yago Pon Dat, and Gospel artist Mutagoma with his uplifting piece, "Iryo Jwi."
Here’s a curated list of the 10 must-listen songs selected by InyaRwanda for your weekend playlist:
- Show y’Igikwe – Yampano ft Uncle Austin
- Hoza – Nel Ngabo ft Platin P
- My Way – Igor Mabano ft Steves J.Bryan & DT Keyz
- La Fin – Khalfan Govinda
- Padiri n’umudari – Yago Pon Dat
- Downtown – It’s Major
- Byihorere – Yee Fanta
- Ubuzima – Gauchi The Priest
- My Ex – Kdri
- Niringiye – Patrick Maz
With these songs, your weekend soundtrack is sorted. Dive into Rwandan music’s refreshing blend of rhythm and creativity!