.jpg)
Vibrant Rwandan singer Isacco, whose real name is Murwanashyaka Nzabonimana, is a true definition of from grass to grace. Rwandan singer Isacco expressed his interest in marrying a Kenyan woman. The 33-year-old musician had to go into exile in Kenya in 1994 following the war in Rwanda, which separated him from his parents. Isacco was only three years old. Who is Isacco? The singer stayed in Kenya until he turned 21 and moved to France. TUKO.co.ke had a chat with Isacco, who recently released a hit song, On S’amuse, which means we are having fun. Here is what you need to know about him. Q. How much did you spend on your new song? Isacco: The music video expenses were substantial. Flying from Julien to France, securing models for the shoot, renting the filming location, and managing the entire crew also added to the high costs. Despite my initial budget of KSh900,000, unforeseen events led to a total expenditure of KSh2 million. However, I have no regrets as long as it translates into a quality production for my fans.” Q.: What inspired you to venture into music? Isacco: I used to spend hours in my cousin’s studio, a producer, Rukuz Pro. I was fascinated by the way he worked on recording different well-known Kenyan artistes. One day, he made a beat that gave me unparalleled inspiration. He asked me to sing on the beat. It was my first time recording a song. I was very happy to listen to my voice. It was always fun with my cousin, who kept persuading me. Later, I had to leave Kenya to continue with my studies in France. I told myself that my love for music was doomed to death. It was rather the very beginning of my musical career. Q: How was the start of your musical career? Isacco: In France, I met a group of friends who really liked music and others who were singers. I then started by accompanying them to the studio. One day, they offered to do a feat on one of their songs. I did it, and they liked what I recorded. They suggested that I form a group; which I accepted. We immediately created an IC-KS group of three people. It was in 2012. We did quite a few titles together. Towards the end of 2015, work and studies meant that no one had time anymore. I had already become a slave to music. I then decided to continue my journey alone. So, I wanted to start from scratch in 2016 with my first single, Nonaha, which means Now. The song was received warmly by fans. They liked the title; which gave me the chance to win the award for the best male artist of the diaspora in 2016. I released other songs, but Nonaha definitely launched my career. Q: Tell us about your album On s’amuse Isacco: It is an album translated to ‘We’re having fun’. It is a work that was made with rigour and love. I have been preparing for years with a lot of difficulties, moments of discouragement, lack of support, lack of funding and others. But despite everything, I remained motivated and determined like never before. I told myself, ‘ It will take me years to prepare my album, but the day of glory will arrive, and on that day, I will be the happiest in the world”. I started this project in 2016. I have been struggling seriously for years. I worked hard to find the means to record and shoot a video. My goal was to release high-quality work, even if it was only one title per year. The album talks about my entire journey and all the difficulties that I experienced. There are eight tracks on this album. The subjects addressed in my songs are love, atmosphere and the joy of living. Subscribe to watch new videos Isacco’s love for Kenya Q: Who is your favourite Kenyan artiste? Isacco: My favourite Kenyan artist! That’s a complicated question to answer because I like a lot of Kenyan artists. Growing up, I learned to love artists like Jua Kali, Eko Dydda and Nameless music. They are truly my idols. As for current music, I would say that the artist Nadia Mukami is my favorite artist. Q: Do you plan to work with any Kenyan artiste, even if it’s Kidum? Isacco: With Kidum, it’s possible…We are in discussion. During his European tour in France, we discussed projects we could do together. And there are quite a few Kenyan artists with whom I am in contact for projects. Q: Are you married? Isacco: Haha. I’m not married, and I don’t have children. What is certain is that when I decide to get married, I will have to return to Kenya to find a Kenyan woman. I really like Kenyan women, and I would like the mother of my children to be Kenyan. I think I will find my other half; she will support me in what I do.” Q: What is your source of wealth? Isacco: My source of wealth? I would say it is the efforts that I make in what I do as an activity. I often perform in different places, which allows us to highlight our Swahili language and music in other communities… It was not easy to make yourself known here in the diaspora, but I will say that for each event happening here, they invite me and pay me. This allows me to make a living from my art.
BY TUKO NEWS