Meet the Rwandan Singer and Song Writer: Injonge Karangwa
Get to know Injonge through the analog lens of photographer Meliibees
Injonge Captured (2021-06) by MeliibeesMILELE CONTEMPORARY LAB
Injonge by Meliibees
Rwandan-Kurdish photographer Meliibees invited Injonge for a photoshoot and an interview about her work. In her work, Injonge aims at staying connected with her surroundings.
Read more about her practice below:
"As a singer-songwriter, I appreciate the storytelling in songs. My acoustic music offers space for a narrative. Writing is the part of music creation I invest the most time in."
Beginning of her music career: Through Writing
"I have always written, not always with the intention for my writing to be published or shared. It was more to express my myself. That's how my process of creating music started.''
When did you decide that you want to make music?
"I have done music as a hobby for a long time. I liked singing and the the sounds i created and received good feedback. Growing up I never felt encouraged to have an art career. However, about 6 years ago, I decided to start professionally."
"The necessity to create music was always there, at some point I told myself: Injonge, you've been feeling this for a while, stop listening to this negative voice in your head. I believe that when you have such persistent aspirations, it is for a reason."
Injonge Captured (2021-06) by MeliibeesMILELE CONTEMPORARY LAB
Where do you get your inspiration from?
"My own experiences. It is true that being a musician, you hope to create music that can reach people. If you want to be heard, people must find it interesting. I think something becomes interesting when it’s very sincere."
Injonge Captured (2021-06) by MeliibeesMILELE CONTEMPORARY LAB
"It is not always talking about your own experiences, it is also talking about what moves you within your experience. That’s what I look for when I want to get inspired. The last thing I wrote about was about reinventing yourself. Sometimes you do it because you have to."
Injonge Captured (2021-06) by MeliibeesMILELE CONTEMPORARY LAB
How does Rwandan culture and sound inspire you?
"I have been mostly based in Rwanda for the past few years and I try to be attentive to what is happening around me"
Rwandan music archives
"The Rwandan sound is very diverse. Last year I put out two tracks that were inspired by a Rwandan music archive that I had access to. I spent a lot of time listening to these and I got influenced by the chords and vocal techniques."
Igitaramo
"For that project I collaborated with Rwandan artists Impakanizi and Pappy Israel, we worked together on combining our music styles. In the song "Veillée après veillée", we talk about what happens in the night."
For this song, we were inspired by the images of "Igitaramo"
This is a Rwandan tradition where people gather at night and share stories with each other around a fire. They would include dances and music, discuss important topics for the communities and elders would share knowlede to the younger generation."
Injonge Captured (2021-06) by MeliibeesMILELE CONTEMPORARY LAB
How do you navigate the Rwandan music industry?
"Because this is an industry in the making, You have to create the environment, the opportunities, do the distribution and marketing. You have to be your own agent."
"If I compare the Rwandan music industry of today to 10 years ago, I can see that there is an effort to create more opportunities in this industry. It is growing very fast. People are very reactive, strategic and effective so things are happening."
Injonge Captured (2021-06) by MeliibeesMILELE CONTEMPORARY LAB
What tips can you share to young artists?
"Being an artist is quite a difficult profession, so I think motivation is essential here. Stay focused on your why, find a good support system for the bad days, be in a place where you can be yourself."
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