Music

Rwandan folk music traditions coexist with contemporary East African Afrobeat and Congolese ndombolo, as well as performers of a wide range of Western genres such as hip-hop, R&B, gospel music, and pop ballads.

The ikinimba is perhaps Rwanda's most revered musical tradition. It is a dance that tells the stories of Rwandan heroes and kings using instruments such as the ingoma, ikembe, iningiri, umuduri, and inanga. Many of Rwanda's most well-known musicians have played the inanga, a lyre-like string instrument, including Rujindiri, Sebatunzi, Rwishyura, Simparingoma, Sentoré, Kirusu, Sophie and Viateur Kabarira, and Simon Bikindi. It can be seen as one of the Unique Cultural Characteristics In Rwanda.

Rwanda produced popular local bands such as Imena, Nyampinga, Les 8 Anges, Les Fellows, Impala, Abamarungu, Los Compagnons de la Chanson, Bisa, Ingenzi, and Isibo y'Ishakwe during the post-colonial period. They drew inspiration from all over Africa, particularly the Congo, as well as Caribbean Zouk and Reggae.

Rwanda's music industry is gradually growing and becoming more professionalized. A growing number of businesses are investing in the development of new talent, such as the production of major music festivals such as Kigali Up! and Primus Guma Guma Super Star, as well as the music competition television show. Artists such as Meddy are now taking Rwandan music to new heights.