Riderman (rapper)

Riderman
Background information
Birth name	Emery Gatsinzi
Born	1987 (age 33–34) Kigali
Origin	Rwanda
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2006-present
Associated acts	UTP Soldiers
Website	https://famemix.com/artist/8/riderman

Emery Gatsinzi, better known by his stage name Riderman, is a Rwandan hip hop recording artist, songwriter and music producer. The artist has released seven full-length studio albums and one mix tape as of 2016 under his label Ibisumizi in partnership with his producers, T. Brown, First Boy and Fazzo.^[1]

History[]

Early years[]

Gatsinzi was born in 1987^[2] to father Etiènne Rukwavu and mother Peruth Kantetere. He was the first of five children^[3] born into the devout Christian family. His mother and sister both were gospel singers and Gatsinzi would commonly join them in singing gospel and praying before sleeping. He enjoyed music and poetry writing from an early age, and after attending a Lucky Dube concert at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali he was inspired to combine these talents to begin performing as a hip-hop artist and actually he is Rwanda's best hip hop artist based on what he has done over the years.^[2]

Musical career[]

Gatsinzi formed his first group, UTP, in 2006.^[2] Afterward he formed a band called Soldier with two other teenage boys, performing as the group's lead singer before embarking on an independent career and releasing his first solo album on 28 December 2009. In late 2018, Gatsinzi released "Ikinyarwanda" which featured Bruce Melody^[3]

Diverse artists inspired Riderman's style and musical taste. In childhood the artist's greatest influences were Rwandan musicians such as Jean-Christopher Matata, Benjamin Rutabana and Kidumu. In later years he became an admirer of such foreign hip-hop and rap acts as Tupac Amaru Shakur, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne and Diam's.^[2] Riderman has performed with many of the major international acts that have played in Rwanda, including Sean Paul, Lauryn Hill, Mr Flavour, Elephant Man, Koffi Olomide, Brick and Lace, Sean Kingston, D'banj and Shaggy.^[2] Actually is known as the best rwandan hip hop artist^{[citation needed]}

Marriage[]

On July 26, 2015, the rapper Riderman and Miss Nadia Agasaro whom he had been dating for some time were officially married in Kagarama. At first their affair was a secret until rumours started appearing through newspapers and social media but they finally decided to take the step. The couple have already a child.^[4]

Other activities[]

Gatsinzi has been a prominent advocate for development of the music industry and the professionalization of musicianship as a profession in Rwanda. Remarking the lack of sponsorship to support new musical acts, in 2012 he offered free use of his recording studio to ten underground hip-hop acts and invited them to perform with him on his tour of Rwanda that year.^[5]

Alongside his musical career, Gatsinzi is also working toward completion of a degree in Tourism Management at .^[2] Prior to this, he studied at Kigali Independent University.^[3]

Awards[]

In 2008, Riderman won his first Salax Award as the best Hip hop Artist in Rwanda. In 2010 his album won best album of in the year in Salax, in 2011 and 2013 Riderman won the - the Rwandan equivalent of the Grammy-like pan-African Kora Awards - for Best Rapper.^[2] In August 2013 he won the first place prize of 24 million Rwandan Francs ($30k) in Primus Guma Guma Super Star, an annual televised talent competition organized by Rwanda's largest brewing company, Bralirwa.^[6]

References[]