Rwanda: Victor Rukotana Bets On Gakondo Music to Take Rwandan Culture Global
[New Times] When Victor Rukotana released his debut album Imararungu in 2025, he was not simply putting out a collection of songs but making a statement about the place he believed traditional Rwandan music should occupy in the country's rapidly evolving entertainment industry.
Victor Rukotana, a Rwandan singer, aims to bring Gakondo music to a global audience through his monthly concert series, Dutarame u Rwanda. Launching in August 2025, the initiative seeks to establish a permanent place for traditional Rwandan music in the country's entertainment industry. Rukotana believes Gakondo music, characterized by its distinct rhythm and cultural significance, can attract new listeners and generate interest beyond Rwanda's borders.
The young artist's debut album, Imararungu, released in 2025, served as a catalyst for this vision. Describing it as his "first born child," Rukotana's success with the album has given him the confidence to pursue Gakondo more aggressively. He envisions an ecosystem around the music, with Dutarame u Rwanda acting as a platform for developing the Gakondo music economy and nurturing young artists.
Rukotana sees the initiative as a way to reconnect young people with their heritage, making traditional music accessible in everyday entertainment spaces. He is also focused on internationalising Gakondo, believing its unique sound can help introduce Rwanda to audiences unfamiliar with the country. This vision has already attracted international interest, including support from Darrell Kofkin, a senior lecturer at the University of Westminster.
Kofkin believes Rukotana's passion and commitment to young artists make him an ideal representative for Rwanda on the global stage.
The collaboration between Rukotana and Kofkin has already borne fruit, with filmmaker Elijah MicDonnell creating a promotional video and educational film for the first edition of Dutarame u Rwanda. Such international partnerships can provide new creative approaches to Rwandan music and help the genre travel through channels beyond conventional music promotion.
Rukotana also sees Gakondo as part of Rwanda's broader cultural diplomacy efforts, complementing the country's tourism and cultural offerings. He hopes music, including Gakondo, can be exported to international audiences through performances and creative collaborations, helping to change perceptions of Rwanda beyond its landscapes and investment opportunities.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
