Rwanda’s Dream Boyz to launch sixth album

Some of the songs on Wenda Azaza include '70’, ‘Wenda Azaza’, ‘Uzamubwire’, ‘Inkundo z'i Kigali,’ and ‘Birarangiye’ a collaboration with fellow Rwandan artist Jay Polly.

Already, a video has been shot for '70'. “The inspiration for ‘70’ was the movies we watched in our childhood,” says Dream Boyz. "It is influenced by the Indian musicial style."

Directed by frequent collaborator Ma-Riva, the video has drawn positive attention, and the single has earned the team of Platini Nemeye and Jean Claude Mujyanama aka TMC, nominations at the forthcoming Salax Awards. Speaking about music videos, the members of Dream Boyz said that a good quality video costs from around $2000 to $3000 in Rwanda.

Formed in 2009 by two childhood friends Platini and Mujyanama, the Dream Boyz is managed by the Kina Music label. Their music addresses the challenges of daily life in Rwanda. A conscious duo, the band has publicly advocated for social causes, including partaking in a male circumcision campaign in Ruhango District to reduce the prevalence of the HIV infection.

Dream Boyz say their decision to launch the new album in the Northern town of Gicumbi instead of the usual Kigali is an attempt to take their music to fans. The new album, Wenda Azaza, follows 2015's Nzibuka n’Abandi. Other albums from the group include Data Ni Nde (2014), Uzambarize Mama (2013), Dufitanye Isano (2011) and Si Inzika (2011). Artists such as Jay Polly, Bruce Melody, Christopher Muneza and Yvan Buravan are expected to perform during the Wenda Azaza album launch.