Samputu is a singer from Rwanda with a strong, clear and beautiful voice, which harmonizes and leads in soaring passages, and whispers in quiet ballads. His versatility testifies to his command of many African styles, genres and traditions, beyond Rwanda. He sings in sweet tenor and alto voices, in falsetto, as well as in low baritone growls, an airy South African style, and in the pygmy (intwatwa) style of southern Rwanda. He ululates. He even yells musically.
Born in Rwanda in 1962, Jean Paul Samputu was raised by his mother and father in the small town of Butare Ngoma, 180 kilometers south of the capital Kigali. From his earliest years, he remembers singing in church and enjoying the variety of traditional and contemporary music in his community, as well as the sounds of Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, Lionel Ritchie and Jimmy Cliff.
In 1977, Samputu began to sing in two choirs, in church and a professional choir. In 1982, Samputu helped to form a group called Nyampinga, which eventually went on to record three albums that contained early hit songs like Suzuki (after the Japanese motorcycle), Crayon No Shimboke (referring to a new style of dress in Rwanda) , and Ingendo Yabeza (Walk of Beauty).
In 1985, Samputu left Nyampinga to record his first solo album, Tegeka Isi (Govern the World), that included the hit song Ni Kuki? (Why?). During this same time, he founded a new orchestral and singing troupe, Ingeli, a name that reflects Rwandan’s love of nature, and particularly the people’s reverence for cows (inka). Ingeli means “the most beautiful of all the inka.” Ingeli was awarded the Calabash of Peace for Samputu’s song Migabo. In 1997, he received another Calabash of Peace award for the song Rwanda Rwiza (Beautiful Rwanda).
At this point, Samputu was “discovered” by Mr. Valens Kajeguhakwa, a Rwandan entrepreneur who mentored his career. Ingeli began to tour Uganda, Burundi, Congo and Kenya. Samputu was joined by the great female Rwandan star Cecile Kayirebwa for an Ugandan tour. In 1993 he toured Europe.
Samputu continued to perform and record right up until the tragedy of genocide struck Rwanda in 1994. During this terrible period when almost a million people were killed, he lost his mother and father, three brothers and a sister. He has worked steadily since that time to help unify and heal his country.
His music has been deeply affected by the national tragedy. He has committed himself to working on behalf of HIV/AIDS victims and education, and he dedicates his life and music to the children of Rwanda and the world. His belief in them as the hope for a peaceful future for humanity guides him every day.
In 2003, Samputu’s biggest break came when he was nominated for two Kora Awards for Best African Traditional Artist and Most Promising Male Artist. He won this prestigious all-Africa award for the latter category
His music since the tragedy includes the songs 10 Years Remembering and Mana Wari Huri He (God, Where Were You?), both of which are on his CD Samputu: Testimony from Rwanda (Rootstock/Multicultural Media).
Samputu’s recordings are steeped in the many rich traditions of Rwandan music and dance, and include influences from Uganda, Burundi, and the Congo, as well as pygmy voices and traditions. It is this deep and fertile mix of songs, instruments, and dances that embodies Samputu’s tremendously varied talents.
Samputu sings in 6 languages (Kinyarwanda, Swahili, Lingala, Luganda, French and English), and in styles ranging from soukous, rhumba, vodou and reggae, to traditional Rwandan 5/8, Afrobeat, pygmy, and gospel. He combines unique musical traditions from all regions of Rwanda, among them, intwatwa, umushayayo, imparamba, and ikinimba. His dance technique and style demonstrates why UNESCO officially declared Rwandan national dance one of the world’s Unique Cultural Heritages
Samputu arrived in the United States in 2004 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda
Discography:
Tegeka Isi (1985)
Bahizi Beza (1991)
Abaana (2003)
Testimony from Rwanda (Multicultural Media, 2004)
Rwandan Dream, with Iain Stewart (2014)
Only Love (2015)
Voices from Rwanda (2016)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.