Rwanda: Social Mula gets Prix Decouvertes nod

The Prix Decouvertes award is organised by French radio RFI and seeks to promote and showcase talented African artists. The winner of the prize will receive €10 000 ($11 064) with a tour package in 10 African countries, including France.

Other nominees are Lydol and Cysoul from Cameroon, Yann'Sine (Morocco), NG BlingGa (Gabon), Nasty Nesta (Bénin), Bébé Baya (Guinea), Anycris (Côte d'Ivoire), Céline Banza (DRC) and Zonatan (Mauritius).

"I still can't believe I am nominated! But it's all about God's grace and my loyal Rwandan supporters. With their support, I can bring it home," Mula told KT Press.

Voting is ongoing, and the public has until 16 October to vote for their favourite artists via the RFI Musique official website. The winner will be announced on 7 November.

The final vote will be conducted by a special jury which includes journalists from RFI and France 24, representatives of partner organisations as well as musicians A'Salfo, Josey and Tiken Jah Fakoly from Ivory Coast, Charlotte Dipanda (Cameroon), Fally Ipupa (DRC), Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Youssou N'Dour (Senegal), Oumou Sangaré (Mali) and Singuila (France).

If selected, Mula will become the second Rwandese musician to receive the award after Yvan Buravan who emerged winner in 2018. Previous nominees from Rwanda include Mani Martin (2013), The Ben (2015) and Angel Mutoni (2016).

Previous Prix Decouvertes award winners are Rokia Traoré, Amadou & Mariam from Mali, Didier Awadi (Senegal), Canjo Amissi (Burundi), Maurice Kirya (Uganda) and Tiken Jah Fakoly (Côte d'Ivoire).