In the past three years of his musical journey, Josh Ishimwe, a Rwandan singer, has ventured beyond his familiar Kinyarwanda language with the release of his latest song, "Nakushukuru Ee Bwana," in Swahili on the afternoon of Friday, November 17, 2023. This move follows a growing trend among artists, such as Israel Mbonyi, who recognize the expanding market for Swahili music enthusiasts. Notably, Ishimwe's songs, including 'Nina Siri' and 'Nitamani,' have resonated strongly in Kenya, dominating the country's popular music charts.
Swahili, recognized as the fourth official language in Rwanda five years ago, has gained prominence. With over 200 million speakers worldwide, the February 2023 population census revealed that Swahili is spoken by approximately 2.97% of Rwanda's population.
In preparation for his performance at the "I Bweranganzo" concert by Chorale Christus Regnat on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (Camp Kigali), Ishimwe shared his motivation for singing in foreign languages. He expressed the desire to extend the reach of his message and decided to release the Swahili song as a praise to God for the upcoming event.
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Explaining his creative process, He emphasized the intention to bridge cultural and linguistic boundaries, allowing even those who don't speak Rwandan to appreciate the unique traditional style of singing to God.
The artist, known for blending 'Gospel' music with Rwandan tradition, entered the music scene with a distinctive touch, gaining popularity over the past two years. Recalling his musical journey, Ishimwe began serving God through singing in the children's choir in 2000, unaware that it would evolve into a lifelong profession. Now 24 years old, he has honed his talent through various artist collaborations, including the Uguru Music group, working closely with artists like Yvan Ngenzi and René Patrick.
Reflecting on his initial fears as an artist, Ishimwe acknowledged concerns about how his music would be received by fans. However, he remains committed to breaking new ground in his musical exploration and expressing gratitude for the support that has fueled his journey so far.