Knowless (born Jeanne d’Arc Ingabire Butera) is a Rwandan singer and a winner of Primus Guma Guma Super Star seasons 5 (PGGSS).[1] Butera writes many of her own songs. Her songs touch on such themes as romantic relationships, societal issues and daily life.[2]
Butera Knowless | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jeanne d’Arc Ingabire Butera |
| Born | Musanze |
| Origin | Rwanda |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2011 - present |
| Labels | Kina Music |
| Spouse | Ishimwe Clement |
| Website | www |
History
editEarly years and background
editJeanne d’Arc Ingabire Butera[3] was born in Ruhango District, and is the wife of Ishimwe Clement. She is the only child of Jean-Marie Vianney Butera and Marie Claire Uyambaje, who are both deceased. Her mother was the lead singer in a local Seventh-day Adventist church choir. Butera attended ESCAF primary school in Nyamirambo, APARUDE secondary school in Ruhango and APACE secondary school in Kigali with a focus on computer sciences and management. As a teenager she sang in the local choir. In 2012 she began to pursue a university degree at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology.[4] In 2019, she graduated with an MBA at the Oklahoma Christian University. She is a mother of two girls named Or & Inzora Butera.
Musical career
editKnowless released her debut album, Komeza, in December 2011.[4] Her second album, Uwo Ndiwe, was released in March 2013.[5] Knowless is managed under the label Kina Music.[6]
She has performed throughout Rwanda and in neighboring countries, including Uganda,[2] and has collaborated with Rwandans Danny, Mc Tino, Paccy, Ciney, Jay Polly, Kamichi and Urban Boyz, and the Ugandan group Vampos. She has named Belgium-based Rwandan musician Cecile Kayirebwa and American R&B singer-songwriter Brandy Norwood as her inspirations.[4] In 2021 she released an album called Inzora.[7]
Private life
editHer husband is Clement and they have two daughters.
Awards
editKnowless won "Best New Artiste" in the 2010 Salax Awards competition.[2] In August 2013, she took third place in the annual Primus Guma Guma Super Star talent competition, held at Amahoro Stadium.[8] In March 2013 she won her second Salax Award, this time in the category of "Best Female Artist".[5]
In 2013, Knowless was one of three Rwandan acts to perform at the "Rwanda Day" event held in London.[9] In 2015, Knowless Butera won the Primus Gumma Gumma Superstar 5th Edition, and she is the first woman to win such a competition.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Mixed reactions as Knowless claims Guma-Guma crown". 16 August 2015.
- ^ a b c Baike, Prisca (11 August 2013). "Rwanda's 'Beyonce' to rock Kampala". New Times. Rwanda. Archived from the original on 12 August 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
- ^ Tumwebaze, Peterson (2013-09-18). "I am still 'Kabebe' from the village: Knowless". The New Times. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
- ^ a b c Baike, Prisca (2 January 2012). "Knowles: Rwanda's True Music Diva!". Tukabyine. Rwanda. Archived from the original on January 10, 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
- ^ a b Asiimwe, Peninah (14 April 2013). "Action packed: Female stars take over Rwanda". The Rwanda Focus. Rwanda. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
- ^ Kwesiga, Brian (28 June 2013). "Interview: Tom Close Promises Fire At Rwanda Nite". Chimp Reports. Rwanda. Archived from the original on 12 August 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
- ^ "Knowless Set To Release Inzora, Her "Best Album Ever"". KT PRESS. 2021-06-05. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
- ^ Ndushabandi, Charles (11 August 2013). "Riderman Wins Rwanda Talent Search". New Times. Rwanda. Archived from the original on 12 August 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
- ^ "Knowles applauds Rwanda day". RwandaShow. Rwanda. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
- ^ "Satire: How Rwanda's Knowless made me stop flirting". Monitor. 2023-10-08. Retrieved 2024-01-14.