It is truly a dream come true and a great inspiration for the young generation in genres like hip-hop, for young rappers in Rwanda to meet an influential leader like President Paul Kagame, given the perception that many have of hip-hop being associated with thugs and 'unserious' individuals, popular Rwandan rapper Ish Kevin has said.
The 'Amakosi' hit-maker was speaking to The New Times after a meeting and interaction with the President on October 22, alongside other musicians who performed and won awards at the just-concluded Trace Awards and Festival held at the BK Arena over the weekend.
"Who would have thought that a young rapper like me, who has only been in the game for a few years, would have the opportunity to meet and interact with our President? This shows that our music industry is moving in the right direction and that the government is willing to promote our talents as much as possible, no matter what kind of music we produce. It is a great achievement for the young generation in this game," he said.
The rapper added: "It is now clear that the art of music is at the hearts of many in Rwanda, including the government, based on the fact that there are already existing platforms that are pushing local musicians to greater heights. Among them is the just concluded Trace Awards event that attracted big celebrities like Rema, Davido and Diamond Platnumz, among many others."
"It is always good to work in an environment that appreciates good work and progress. All we need is more support and we will take our industry to another level," he noted.
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The meeting with the President comes three weeks after the premiere of his debut album 'BST', arguably one of the best rap albums to be released this year, and has been topping various streaming platforms for some time.
Other Rwandan musicians who participated in the Trace Awards, such as rapper and poet Kivumbi King, Bwiza, and Michael Makembe, also met the Head of State at Village Urugwiro over the weekend.
About Ish Kevin
Ish Kevin has been cast as the architect of a new Rwandan cultural movement, a localised trap genre with global ambitions. The rapper, songwriter, digital influencer, and entrepreneur is among the most loved Rwandan musicians.
His single, 'No Cap', a sturdy banger acclaimed as one of the best drill songs of the year by GRM Daily, helped build his popularity, leading up to his recent, stadium-sized, headlining concert.
'BST', a 10-track album, features a number of well-known musicians, local and international. Ish Kevin's lyricism has been recognised across the continent with a nomination in the Senegalese-based Galsen Hip Hop Awards.
