Biography

In his interview with Uganda's DJ Erycom, Afro Beat singer Davis D, real name David Icyishaka, is a Rwandan musician who not until seven years ago was just a fan of some of the locally- established musicians. Today, he shares the same stage with the artistes he used to support.

He will soon be performing alongside Nigerian singer Joe Boy, at the forthcoming Kigali Jazz Junction slated for February 28.

The 27-year-old, is a high school graduate at St Joseph Technical School, Nyamirambo. He was born in Huye District, Southern Province, and is the first born in a family of four.

Music for him however is a talent that he inherited from his parents who ‘were both good singers in the church choir’.

“My mother commanded me and my siblings to belong to a choir. She even founded a choir at home so she can assist us during rehearsals to perform better at a Sunday school,” he said.

This inspired the singer to go to the studio at a tender age, when he was a senior two student, although his parents did not allow him to pursue music so he could focus on his studies.

When he completed his studies, the singer had all his heart set on music and he began spending more of his time in studio than at home.

Though so many knew him from his song ‘Biryogo’, the singer says his first official song ‘My Sweety’ introduced him on the music scene.

Davis D releases his songs infrequently, because, he says, he prefers to release quality music, something he says, makes him different from other local artists.

In 2017, just three years since he launched his music career, the singer was nominated to compete at Primus Guma Guma Superstar season 7, having recorded just five songs, namely My Sweety, Biryogo, Maria Kaliza, Irekure and My People.

However, being the new face in the then Rwanda’s most prestigious music competition, he ended up at bottom of the contest, which was eventually won by Dream Boys.

But for him, “being called up to compete with ‘established musicians’ in such a big competition like Guma Guma, was really exciting and it was I never taken for granted given that I was the first artiste to feature the contest with shortest music repertoire….just five songs under my belt,” he said.

Davis D credits his song ‘Biryogo’ for having pushed him to another level since he released it in 2015 while it became his biggest motivation to do better in music.

“That song did magic for me since I dropped it. It really opened doors for me and, most importantly, played a crucial role in getting nominated to compete it Guma Guma. I can say that it is the reason I am where I am today,” he said.

Davis D has a management, but he revealed his biggest blessing is to see his father support him throughout his music.

“My father has been there for me. I never imagined failing in music because he is there for me whenever I need support, whether financial or moral. It’s really a blessing to see your parents backing you in what you do and that is what I feel,” he said.

Although he has been releasing just two songs in a year, the singer promised that 2020 will be totally different.

He has been working with Ugandan Producer Nessim for a couple of weeks now, shooting videos for his five songs.

“I have what it takes to record so many songs but that was not my plan in the past years because I knew that time would come. I wanted to build my career step by step and I am happy that things are going according to plan. My plan for 2020 is to work on a different rhythm,” he said.