Focus Media (Kigali)
Timothy Kisambira
9 August 2008
If you don't love music, don't become a producer. That is the advice of Jacques Uwayezu, from Welcome Studio in Nyamiranbo.
Mr. Uwayezu says that he loved music from his childhood, and he had always dreamt of becoming a producer. And the dream has come true: he has so far worked with more than 20 artists both in Rwanda and Burundi, producing hits for artists such as The Brothers, Abakimaze, Urban Boys, or Sugu.
But it is not enough to just love music, you also have to be musician yourself. "A producer needs knowledge not only of the software he is using, but also of music genres, and how music works as a language," Mr. Uwayezu says.
"And of course you have to know the instruments; you have to know how to play some of the instruments, because at times you have to add something to make the song you are producing perfect. Then you also have to be creative, because you have many materials you have to use and also control the artists."
Also indispensible, according to the Welcome producer, are good listening skills. "When you begin recording, sometimes the voices don't flow, and at other times everything sounds perfect. Some artists have funny voices, so you have to listen carefully to their singing and then correct them," says Jacques Uwayezu.
According to him, a professional and experienced producer can produce two songs in a day. His Welcome studio charges Frw 45,000 per song.
Although that might seem a lot of money, Mr. Uwayezu thinks that a good producer is worth the price given that, according to him, most producers in the country are not professional and just want to make some quick bucks.
"Because these people are just after the money, they rush into producing songs, and at the end of the day you get a music full of mistakes. You don't make a hit like that," he says. "A good producer takes his time. After recording the various parts, you have to sit down and begin editing. This is where you have to be careful. To mix instruments and voices, one has to have good listening skills because you are dealing with many things at the same time."
Another problem with producers, according to Mr. Uwayezu, is that some are biased, and favor certain artists. "You find that if a producer likes a specific musician, he will take his time for the production, but if the guy doesn't like you, then he will do things the way he wants."
The producer says that when an artist approaches him, he listens to the lyrics and then he gets the beat according to the lyrics. "After listening to the lyrics, I sit down with the artist and advice him on what beat can be good for his song. Sometimes they come with their own beats, but I always advice them."
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