When I said I wanted to capture some exceptional talent for Women’s Day, I had no clue who it would be until I was listening to music on Spotify and suddenly my phone flipped to this song called Silence. The singer’s voice was so profound that it almost brought me to tears as if my soul was escaping my body. the melody got stuck in my head and my body shivered. after listening to the song a few more times, I felt relieved. That’s when I knew that I had found the perfect guest for this month’s magazine.
Meet Boukuru, a tall, dark-skinned young lady with a deep, smooth, melodic voice, a colorfully vibrant, African sense of fashion, and a gorgeous smile. She is a passionate and soulful artist from Rwanda. Her love for music recently earned her a place at MetroAfro Management, a label that picks creative, result-driven artists, and markets them in Rwanda and beyond.
Boukuru has ventured into the relatively new genre in Rwanda, Classic Soul, and has done justice to it. Her smooth vocals and lyrics give her hundreds of monthly listeners chills. My favorite song of hers is titled “Silence” and has been enjoyed by more than 4,800 on Spotify and 100,000 views on YouTube in five months.
Boukuru began her music when she participated in the Art Rwanda Ubuhanzi, a televised nationwide talent search project implemented by the Imbuto Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth in 2018. Before that, she had only performed at small gatherings and events.
“I started considering a music career not so long ago. Late 2018 and 2019. At first, I didn’t want to pursue music. I had a gift but I thought I would just continue to sing in churches, weddings, and other celebrations for my friends and family. It was comfortable that way.
But it turns out I had a bigger gift than that. I jokingly joined the Art Rwanda Ubuhanzi competition and the rest is history.” Boukuru tells me in a remote interview.
Boukuru has already released three solo projects. Among these is an EP consisting of five tracks, which features a local producer named FlyestMusic. Like many other artists, she finds inspiration from both local and international artists including Chris Easy’s creativity, Aline Sano’s soulful vocals, King James’s playful lyricism, Riderman’s rhythmic beats, Kivumbi’s vibe, and Uwimana’s spiritual resonance. She also admires artists like Tori Kelly, Cynthia Erivo, and the legendary Whitney Houston.
Her musical expression is also influenced by her cultural legacy. Although she humbly admits to seeking improvement in composing songs in Kinyarwanda, she actively tries to incorporate local rhythms into her performances. She portrays herself in a way that pays respect to her roots in terms of her appearance.
Boukuru’s music is a blend of emotions and real-life stories, inspired by classic soul. She genuinely wants to connect with her audience.
“Producing music is like going on an adventure, where you combine themes, lyrics, and melodies to create something that feels more than just right,” she explains.
While describing her creative process, she quickly emphasizes the unpredictable nature of creativity. “My approach depends on the project, but like any other creative process, a lot of things can and do inspire a project. It could be an instant feeling, a life experience, or something I don’t know and would like to explore. My usual way of composing is to set a theme, write lyrics, and then create the melody later.
After that, I adjust the words, considering the length of a note or tempo. I know this sounds very organized and systematic,” she chuckles and continues, “but I promise you it doesn’t always go like that. Sometimes it’s just a vibe, something I’ve heard. Like I said, it’s different for each project.”
Her dream collaborations include performing with an orchestra at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, highlighting her passion for combining voices and instruments. She aspires to become the “Boukuru of Rwanda,” an artist who not only makes her country and generation proud but also gives back to the community through the universal language of music.
To her fans, Boukuru says, “We are your artists. Know us, love us, support us, share our work, and pray for us. We’re navigating a wild industry, so please help us keep and carry the light”.
