Mighty Popo

Jacques Murigande aka Mighty Popo is a Rwandan/Burundian refugee/survivor whose music is steeped in African tradition. Mighty Popo creates deep, rooted music that pays tribute to ancient, diverse traditions by weaving Rwandan and African poetry, rhythms and vocal styles. Mighty Popo was born to Rwandan parents in a Burundi refugee camp. He had no citizenship, no country that he could claim as home until he was granted Canadian citizenship. After completing his schooling he ventured into music full time in 1995.

In 1996 Andy J. Forest asked him to join his band to Italy. For two years Mighty toured the whole of Europe. In 1998 he came to Rwanda for FESPAD and this was the first time he ever visited his homeland. In 2004 he was part of nine Canadians all of African origin gathered in Toronto to participate in a unique project for CBC Radio’s On Stage program (the Canadian edition of Bob Geldof’s international Live 8 concerts. The group branded the ‘African Guitar Summit’ went on to win the prestigious ‘Juno’ Award and one of the few chosen for EMI’s Live 8 DVD.

He returned to Rwanda in 2012 after more than two decades of living in Canada to head the Nyundo Music School. He is the brains behind KigaliUp Festival an annual event that seeks to showcase local and international music.

Popo's journey can be experienced through his five albums from the blues-driven self titled 1997 debut to 201's Gakondo a mix of traditional songs of Rwanda