Rwandan Drill has become a soundtrack representing the rapidly expanding presence of the country’s Hip Hop scene. The genre mixes influences from New York, the U.K., and Chicago, as well as Rwanda’s respective rhythms and lyricism. Artists like Logan Joe, Pro Zed, and Ish Kevin have all become pioneers of the musical community in Rwanda.

The genre has grown in popularity since 2020, largely fuelled by the rise of TikTok and other social media sites, with cities like Kigali being host to a plethora of artists that have been defining the next stage of Rwandan Hip Hop. One artist recently making waves is Bruce The First (real name Bruce Wambere). A native of Kigali, he has been a foundational member in the development of the Rwandan Drill scene, and his collaboration with others in the city illustrates his willingness to collaborate creatively.

His latest album, “Ask and Receive”, has garnered significant attention. His most popular song off the album, “Up and Up”, has now grossed over 200,000 views. While in the early stages of his career, his clear talent and dedication to creating an artistic space for Drill to exist in, speaks to the liveliness that exists within the community. His most recent YouTube release, “Niki Utumva Ft Pro Zed”, mixes Kinyarwanda, French, and English, showing the rich cultural tapestry that Rwandan Drill is developing in. The song deals with the need to work hard and highlights how these artists are trying to find their path in developing this new, home-grown genre. The title itself means “What You Don’t Understand”, explaining the dreams and circumstances that are misunderstood. Overall, the Rwandan Drill represents the radical possibilities for youth culture within the country, and artists like Bruce the First and Pro Zed are blazing their path to legitimizing their country’s position within African Hip Hop.