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.[1][2]

Mani Martin
Birth nameMani Martin
Born24 December 1988 (1988-12-24) (age 34)
Rusizi, Ntura, Rwanda
OriginRwanda
GenresAfro-fusion, Pop, Soul, Gospel, Traditional
Occupation(s)Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Actor
Instrument(s)Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Years active2000-present
LabelsIndependent

History

Early years

Mani was born on 24 December 1988 in[3] Ntura village in the Western Province of Rwanda.[2] He grew up in a Charity Home.[4]

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[5] and Kumbukumbu".[3] In 2010, after high school, Mani he founded his own band (Kesho Band)[6] and started performing at different[2] 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.[3]

Discography

Studio albums
List of studio albums with selected details
Title Details
Isaya ya 9
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: Mani Martin
  • Formats: Digital download
Icyo Dupfana
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: Mani Martin
  • Formats: Digital download
Intero y`amahoro[7]
  • Released:2011
  • Label: Mani Martin
  • Formats: Digital download
My Destiny[8]
  • Released:2012
  • Label: Big Talent Entertainment
  • Formats: Digital download
Afro[9]
  • 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[3] and kept collaborating with movie industry by providing music for films and creating sound tracks for different movies.[10]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2004 R.A.P Song Of The Year Urukumbuzi Won [11]
2006 Pearl Of Africa Music Awards Best Rwanda Artist Mani Martin Nominated [11]
2006 Radio 10 Awards Best Artist of the Year Mani Martin Won [11][12]
2008 Salax Awards Best Gospel Artist Mani Martin Won [13]
2013 Salax Awards Best Male Artist Mani Martin Nominated [13]
2013 Salax Awards Best Traditional Artiste Mani Martin Won [13]
2013 Salax Awards Best R&B Artist Mani Martin Nominated [13]
2013 Salax Awards Best Album My Destiny Nominated [13]
2013 Salax Awards Best Video My Destiny Nominated [13]
2013 Prix decuverte Awards Best Traditional Artist of the Year Mani Martin Nominated [14][15]
2019 Fespaco 50 Awards Most Fashionable Male Celebrity Mani Martin Won [16]

Concerts

Mani has performed both locally and on international festivals such as.[3]

  • Sauti Za Busara in Zanzibar[17]
  • Amani festival" in DRC[18]
  • Bayimba International Festival" 2013 in Uganda[19][20][21]
  • Jeux de la francophonie in France[22][23]
  • Fespaco festival in Burkina Faso[24][25]
  • Transform Africa in Rwanda[26]
  • AU Summit
  • World Economic Forum in Kigali
  • Kigali Up festival[27]
  • Iwacu Music Festival[28]

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.[29] 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.[30] 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[31] On 7 July 2017, he graduated with a Bachelor in Media and Mass Communication from Mount Kenya University.[32]

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,[33] UNAMID Peace celebration in Darfur organised by Unamid Darfur Sudan.[34] Mani envisions the world where people live in love, peace and harmony where all lives are treated with respect and dignity.[35] Mani has various collaborations with Eddy Kenzo and Sauti Sol.[36]

References
  1. "Time to Go Digital – Mani Martin". KT Press. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  2. "Rwandan Traditional Music Becomes of Age". The Rwanda Spectrum Magazine. Rwanda. 26 June 2013. Archived from the original on 15 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  3. "Biography". Rwanda: Manimartin.com. 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  4. "Rwanda: Mani Martin, the Voice of African Orphans". All Africa. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  6. "Singer Mani Martin goes Afro". New Times. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  7. Mbabazi, Linda (August 3, 2012). "Rwanda: Mani Martin Announces Album Launch Date". AllAfrica. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  8. Babijja, Susan (July 27, 2012). "Rwanda: Mani Martin to Launch Fourth Album". AllAfrica. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  9. "Mani Martin takes 'Afro album' to Rubavu". The New Times | Rwanda. September 26, 2017.
  10. "Martin Maniraruta". Africultures. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  11. "Abahanzi Nyarwanda: Maniraruta Martin aka Mani Martin".
  12. "Seven things you didn't know about Mani Martin". The New Times | Rwanda. November 14, 2013.
  13. "Urban Boys scoop most awards at Salax". The New Times | Rwanda. March 10, 2013.
  14. "Mani Martin nominated for Prix Découvertes Awards". The New Times | Rwanda. October 1, 2013.
  15. "Another Rwandan Artist Nominated For Prix Decouvertes". September 16, 2019.
  16. "Mani Martin yahawe igihembo mu iserukiramuco ribera muri Burkina Faso - IGIHE.com". igihe.com.
  17. "Tanzania: Mani Martin Returns Fom Zanzibar Festival". All Africa. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  18. "Mani Martin regains voice, set for 'Amani' festival in Goma". New Times. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  19. "Mani Martin azitabira iserukiramuco "Bayimba International Festival" muri Uganda". Kigali Today. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  20. "Bayimba Festival celebrates arts this weekend". Observer. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  21. "Mani Martin to Represent Rwanda at Bayimba International Festival". Igihe. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  22. "Francophonie: Bane mu bahanzi baserukiye u Rwanda baburiwe irengero". Igihe. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  23. Franco-Rwandaise, La Tribune. "Jeux de la Francophonie 2013 : Quatre artistes rwandais font défection". LA TRIBUNE FRANCO-RWANDAISE.
  24. "Mani Martin represents Rwanda in FESPACO for best costume". Inyarwanda. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  25. "Rwandan culture feted at FESPACO festival in Burkina Faso". New Times. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  26. "Mani Martin roots for pan-Africanism in new song". New Times. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  27. "PHOTOS: Throwback, Kigali Up Festival Last Weekend's Funfair". Taarifa. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  28. "Mani Martin ni we wari utahiwe muri Iwacu Muzika Festival". Kigali Today. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  29. Kimenyi, Bryan (6 February 2013). "Rwanda: Mani Martin Discharged from Hospital". The New Times. Rwanda. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  30. "Mani Martin to perform at Mt. Kenya University graduation". The New Times | Rwanda. December 10, 2014.
  31. "Mani Martin regains voice, set for 'Amani' festival in Goma". The New Times | Rwanda. January 20, 2015.
  32. Arsène, Muvunyi. "Mani Martin yaririmbye ku banyafurika barohama mu nyanja bajya gushaka ubuzima i Burayi". imyidagaduro. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  33. "Returning From A Successful Tour In Japan Mani Martin Releases New Songs". Taarifa. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  34. "Gifted Rwandan Singer And Rusizi Native Mani Martin Going Places – A Concert In Japan". Taarifa. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  35. "Mani Martin takes show to Rubavu". New Times. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  36. "Mani Martin, Sauti Sol drop 'Mapenzi' track". Retrieved 19 June 2020.
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