Mani Martin

**Mani Martin** is a Rwandan singer, songwriter, actor and performing artist. He has won numerous awards. His unique musical sound that reflects the Afro-fusion, urban and traditional sounds has received National & international attention hence being described by "Rwanda Spectrum Magazine" as one of the best live music performing artists of the Rwandan music scene. Mani sings in Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, English and French.

## History

### Early years

Mani was born on 24 December 1988 in Ntura village in the Western Province of Rwanda. He grew up in a Charity Home.

### Musical career

His talent was discovered at the age of nine, he composed his first song called "Barihe" which means "where are they" as a way to release the endless questions in the mind of Rwanda innocent child three years after the tragic history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. In 2000, Mani recorded a tape of 12 songs titled "Agapfa kaburiwe ni Impango" which opened a door for him to tour Rwanda performing in various churches; as well, he released the Swahili version called "Urukumbuzi and Kumbukumbu". In 2010, after high school, Mani he founded his own band (Kesho Band) and started performing at different and started performing in small events, weddings and hotel events in order to earn a living outside charity home and to cater for his further education.

## Discography

### Studio albums

List of studio albums with selected details
* Label: Mani Martin
 *Icyo Dupfana* | * Released: 2010
* Label: Mani Martin
 *Intero y`amahoro* | * Released:2011
* Label: Mani Martin
 *My Destiny* | * Released:2012
* Label: Big Talent Entertainment
 *Afro* | * Released:2017
* Label:Mani Martin
* Formats: Digital download

## Movie

Beyond his musical career, Mani has also explored acting and starred in the film "Long Coat" in 2009 which explored the lives of Rwandans after the Genocide of 1994 and kept collaborating with movie industry by providing music for films and creating sound tracks for different movies.

## Concerts

Mani has performed both locally and on international festivals such as.

* *Sauti Za Busara in Zanzibar*
* *Amani festival" in DRC*
* *Bayimba International Festival" 2013 in Uganda*
* *Jeux de la francophonie* in France
* *Fespaco festival* in Burkina Faso
* *Transform Africa* in Rwanda
* *AU Summit*
* *World Economic Forum* in Kigali
* *Kigali Up festival*
* *Iwacu Music Festival*

## Personal life

In February 2013, Mani was badly injured in a motorcycle accident. After hospitalization, the artist went on to make a full recovery and went to perform in souti zabusara festival. Mani started recording songs on different topics other than just gospel songs hence was criticized by the people who wanted him to sing only gospel songs. In 2014, he lost his voice after swallowing a piece of toothpick, that wounded his vocal chords at the level of not being able to sing or speak, after a three months medical follow up he got his voice back and started to work on his Afro album On 7 July 2017, he graduated with a Bachelor in Media and Mass Communication from Mount Kenya University.

## Music style

His songs are characterised by message about peace, love and humanity thus being invited to take part in various peace events such as "Mani Martin Japan Peace Tour" organised by UNICEF Japan with NPO T.E.R, UNAMID Peace celebration in Darfur organised by Unamid Darfur Sudan. Mani envisions the world where people live in love, peace and harmony where all lives are treated with respect and dignity. Mani has various collaborations with Eddy Kenzo and Sauti Sol.

## References

1. ↑ Time to Go Digital – Mani Martin. KT Press.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Biography. Manimartin.com (2013). Retrieved on August 14, 2013.
3. ↑ Rwanda: Mani Martin, the Voice of African Orphans. All Africa.
4. ↑ Singer Mani Martin goes Afro. New Times.
5. ↑ Mbabazi, Linda (August 3, 2012). Rwanda: Mani Martin Announces Album Launch Date.
6. ↑ Babijja, Susan (July 27, 2012). Rwanda: Mani Martin to Launch Fourth Album.
7. ↑ Mani Martin takes ‘Afro album’ to Rubavu (September 26, 2017).
8. ↑ Martin Maniraruta. Africultures.
9. ↑ Tanzania: Mani Martin Returns Fom Zanzibar Festival. All Africa.
10. ↑ Mani Martin regains voice, set for ‘Amani’ festival in Goma. New Times.
11. ↑ Mani Martin azitabira iserukiramuco “Bayimba International Festival” muri Uganda. Kigali Today.
12. ↑ Bayimba Festival celebrates arts this weekend. Observer.
13. ↑ Mani Martin to Represent Rwanda at Bayimba International Festival. Igihe.
14. ↑ Francophonie: Bane mu bahanzi baserukiye u Rwanda baburiwe irengero. Igihe.
15. ↑ Franco-Rwandaise, La Tribune. Jeux de la Francophonie 2013 : Quatre artistes rwandais font défection.
16. ↑ Mani Martin represents Rwanda in FESPACO for best costume. Inyarwanda.
17. ↑ Rwandan culture feted at FESPACO festival in Burkina Faso. New Times.
18. ↑ Mani Martin roots for pan-Africanism in new song. New Times.
19. ↑ PHOTOS: Throwback, Kigali Up Festival Last Weekend’s Funfair. Taarifa.
20. ↑ Mani Martin ni we wari utahiwe muri Iwacu Muzika Festival. Kigali Today.
21. ↑ Mani Martin to perform at Mt. Kenya University graduation (December 10, 2014).
22. ↑ Mani Martin regains voice, set for ‘Amani’ festival in Goma (January 20, 2015).
23. ↑ Arsène, Muvunyi. Mani Martin yaririmbye ku banyafurika barohama mu nyanja bajya gushaka ubuzima i Burayi.
24. ↑ Returning From A Successful Tour In Japan Mani Martin Releases New Songs. Taarifa.
25. ↑ Gifted Rwandan Singer And Rusizi Native Mani Martin Going Places – A Concert In Japan. Taarifa.
26. ↑ Mani Martin takes show to Rubavu. New Times.
27. ↑ Mani Martin, Sauti Sol drop ‘Mapenzi’ track.

## External links

* Popular music in Rwanda
* Sauti za Busara: East Africa's Top Music Festival