It is difficult to find in Rwanda a strong acapella band like the American Pentatonix that has made history around the world. Only, things are likely to change after a new band called the John316 Vocal Band decided to sing in this way (Of mostly vocals) but they also mix and sing including occasional musical instruments.

This acapella style in which they sing is a way to sing without any musical instruments but using their voices both as vocals and instrument sound.

The John316 Vocal Band is made up of 12 people including 6 girls and 6 boys who belong to different churches. Members of the group include Nyundo music scholars such as Peace Hoziyana who participated in East Africa Got Talent, Ntigurirwa Danny who calls himself Danny Country in music, and Iradukunda Annah who is already a student at the current Nyundo school in Muhanga.

Micomyiza Mpenzi told us in a live interview that the group name came during a worship fellowship they were in as a group and God gave them the scripture in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ”

“You look at our name and see that it consists of a biblical verse. We were in prayer reading John 3:16 and we took John316. Our goal is to make a contribution to the Kingdom of God by telling people that Jesus heals, refreshes, and delivers. ”

The group began its operations in June 2020 last year. It has a variety of songs including ‘Jesus oh what a wonderful child, as its debut song, on April 7 this year they released “I see the light” to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and now they have released “Perfect peace”. Of their three songs, they have already put out two Acapella-style songs.

They say they have a lot of songs already written and ready to be recorded that will be delivered to Rwandans in the days to come. Most of the Group songs are in Accapella Style. 

The so-called 'Peace perfect peace' they put out recently is a song found in hymns from the Adventist book, made in two languages, Kinyarwanda and English, in conjunction with a little bit of the Total Praise song.