Kabaka, the young Rwandese Hip-Hop sensation that has garnered reasonable traction and acclaim online since his pandemic-inspired debut on Instagram. A rapper and a singer who draws from foreign influences of old like Michael Jackson and more recently, Wayne and Cole that have been artistic role models in the nurturing of his style. However, it’s perhaps his resolve to remain grounded in his African roots and sonic influences that defines his voice as an artist and separates him from his idols.
Kabaka is an artist through and through. One who draws inspiration and muse from life as he goes through the motions and whirring wheels of it. He doesn’t shy away from expressing himself and bares his emotions in the music, even going as far as integrating grand and cinematic narratives into the deeper subtext of the message and emotions conveyed in his music.
He is a chameleon in his innate ability to morph into whatever soundscape the song takes him to and so isn’t one to be boxed into a genre. He seamlessly treads between territories ranging from Rap, R&B and Afrobeats in such a natural, organic way—blurring the lines that it almost goes unnoticeable when he switches genres. This is a testament to the amount of honing and mastery of his skill that has transpired behind the scenes. Glaring evidence that he’s no amateur and shouldn’t be taken as one.
Kabaka’s most recent release, I Want You is an uptempo Afro-RnB song, where the artist states in explicit matter-of-fact terms that his love is real and he wants his lover more than anything else. The beat also incorporates traditional Hip-Hop trap elements in its make-up and the song makes for another interesting fusion that sums up Kabaka’s rich artistry.
Listen here;
