Introducing Kaya Byinshii
The best way to describe Kaya Byinshii’s music is a beautiful fusion of R&B, soul and reggae all unified by an experimental vision. With her keen eye, and vocal abilities, the upcoming Rwandese artist has blessed us with pieces like ‘Be. Li. Eve’ where we get to see her and her fiery friends in their element - preaching to listeners about the sanctity of patience and the importance of trusting the process in life. Since the success of her first few singles, Kaya has managed to pull together an exceptional body of work with her “(We) Don’t Know Love” acoustic EP and is now working on delivering another well-thought out project. Moreover, though her affiliation with renowned Kigali based record label Green Ferry is an achievement on its own, her presence as a female artist in a male dominated space is commendable as she’s managed to carve out her own space and leave an undeniable mark on the scene.
She was gracious enough to sit down and answer a few questions about it and her overall outlook on life. With that being said, sit back and enjoy her inner workings.
How did you come up with the title for your upcoming project?
This project is an experience of my own journey. This is why I named it after what that journey felt like. So the project is entitled ‘Ukwiyuburura’ which loosely translates to a process of shedding.
How many songs are on there and what’s your favourite so far?
Haha I don't have a favourite yet, but I am planning the project to not exceed 12 tracks
Do you have a clear idea when you want this project to drop?
It's not clear yet. So many things to put in place still. But certainly by the end of this year.
How would you describe your sound?
It's not an easy one to explain my sound lol. I just sing what I feel like, but I always find myself around blues, soft rock, soul.
What was your process while recording this project?
The recording process didn't have a fixed structure. Whenever I felt emotionally ready to record one of the tracks I could just schedule a session with Dr. Nganji and we work on it
When you write, is there a particular message you’re trying to convey?
When I write I try to talk and have a conversation. On a particular subject, but the point for me is to always have a conversation.
What’s the overarching takeaway from this project?
That there's still more. It's not and never enough.
How have you found your trajectory within the Rwandan scene?
I don't know if I have found it already lol. But one thing is that the people who fucks with my things just kept increasing everyday. They keep increasing. Not everyone who listens to me fucks with me but those who do, they immediately join the gang and keep hooking me up and on and on
Which artists within the scene do you admire?
Bill Ruzima, Mucyo, Mike Kayihura, Ben Ngabo Kipeti, Mighty Popo, Mani Martin, Teta Diana
What collaboration have you enjoyed the most so far?
My collaboration with Mucyo. It was a natural and organic experience that I can't explain and the sound that comes out of it?! Man...
On a day to day basis, what inspires you musically?
The vibrations around. In my own life, situations going around with lovers, friends, the type of music I am listening to in those days, etc
What is it like being a woman in this industry?
Being a woman in this industry means to have some really big balls. big balls to talk about things that other women are not able to talk about, big balls to avoid being sexualised, simply it means to work twice as hard
What advice would you give an aspiring artist?
Lol. I am no expert or anything, but I know for sure that always digging deeper inside me has always shaped my arts and my creations.
In the past, your music has touched on spiritual aspects of existence. What grounds you?
I have no idea. I just believe in the highest of all and create from within.
How does fashion feature in your creativity/musicality?
I feel like fashion is not so different from music. Personally, how I feel is how I dress. And it always go together because whenever I feel good/comfortable, I also perform well.
What would you change about the current musical landscape in Rwanda and East Africa?
If I could, I would change the way people see and take Rwandan music. Man. They need to open their eyes and ears and realise how far and Big this industry is getting. It's not the same anymore. I feel like it's a musical revolution going on in Rwanda and East Africa.
If you had to create a mantra, what would it be?
I can do this. I am capable. over and over.
If you could be reincarnated as another artist, dead or alive - who would you choose?
Hehe I think I would love to come back as Brenda Fassie.
What's your favourite thing about being a black woman creative?
It is so bold and daring. It is so real. I enjoy it.
