Jean-Paul Samputu (born 15 March 1962) is a Rwandan singer, songwriter, and musician. A winner of the Kora Award in 2003, Samputu travels the world as a cultural ambassador for Rwanda.
Jean-Paul Samputu | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jean-Paul Samputu |
| Born | March 15, 1962 Butare, Rwanda |
| Genres | Soukous, rumba, reggae, afrobeat, gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1977–present |
Born in Rwanda in 1962, Samputu began singing in 1977 in a church choir, and was influenced by traditional and contemporary music, including Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, and Lionel Richie. He arrived in the US in 2004 for Ten Years Remembering, an event commemorating the 10th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda.[1]
Samputu sings in six languages[2](Kinyarwanda, Swahili, Lingala, Ganda, French and English) and in styles ranging from soukous, rhumba 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.
Early life edit
Jean Paul Samputu was born on 15 March 1962[3] in Butare, Rwanda.[4]
Awards and honours edit
- Kora Award for Most Promising African Male Artist, 2003[5]
- 2006 International Songwriting Competition: 1st-place winner for World Music for "Psalm 150"[6]
- Inter Religious and International Federation for World Peace: Ambassador of Peace, 2007
Discography edit
Albums edit
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1985 | Tegeka Isi |
| 1991 | Bahizi Beza |
| 2003 | Abaana |
| 2004 | Testimony from Rwanda |
| 2014 | Rwandan Dream (with Iain Stewart)[7] |
| 2015 | Only Love |
| 2016 | Voices from Rwanda |
Singles edit
- Suzuki (1983 with Nyampinga
Band)
- Nyaruguru
- Ingendo Y'Abeza (1984 with Nyampinga Band)
- Mr. Bigirumwami (1986 with Ingeli Band)
- Rwanda Rwiza (1987)
- Twararutashye (1993 with Ingeli Band)
- Kenyera Inkindi Y'Ubuzima (1995)
- Mutima W'Urugo (1996)
- Ubaha Ikiremwa Muntu (1997)
- Ubuphura Buba Munda (1997)
- Igihe Kirageze (1999)
- Disi Garuka (2000)
References edit
- ^ Ilibagiza, Immaculee (2007). Left to Tell: One Woman's Story of Surviving the Rwandan Genocide.
- ^ "Bantu languages | Definition, Characteristics, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
- ^ Mbabazi, Linda (3 January 2012). "Samputu in collabo with Japanese singer". The New Times. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
- ^ Mbabazi, Linda (14 January 2014). "Meet Jean Paul Samputu". The New Times. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
- ^ "2003 Kora All African Music Awards, Winners Announced". WorldMusicCentral.org. 7 December 2003. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ "2006 International Songwriting Competition Winners Announced – Grand Prize Package Including $25,000 goes to Scott Leger". WorldMusicCentral.org. 4 April 2007. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ "Rwandan genocide survivor releases album with Scot to mark conflict". 4 November 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2018.