The Journey of Gabiro Guitar: From Stage to Soil
In 2010, a young man with a guitar stepped onto the screens of Tusker Project Fame, the East African music competition that drew fans from across the region and continent. He was Gabiro Guitar, then just a teenager with an unmistakable presence and a voice that resonated far beyond Rwanda. Viewers sent text messages, voted in droves, and quickly took him to their hearts. Even though he did not win, many years later, Gabiro built a career in music, releasing popular songs such as Koma and Igikwe, earning respect for both his artistry and his dedication.
Today, in Nzige Sector, Rwamagana District, the boy who once graced television screens, has found a different kind of stage. Instead of microphones and spotlights, he now wakes to the crowing of roosters, clucking of chickens, mooing cows, and the gentle rustle of banana leaves. Nestled in the rolling hills, Nzige is a quiet stretch of farmland where life moves with the calm rhythm of the countryside. Fields of maize, beans, and bananas shape the landscape, tended by farmers who know every curve of the land. The community thrives on collaboration. Neighbours help fix roads, build schools, and share what they have, which gives the place a spirit that grows organically, from the soil and the hands that till it.
Here, the rhythm that once guided Gabiro’s music now guides his work in agriculture, and the passion he had for performance is reflected in the care he gives to every chicken, cow, and egg tray.
A New Chapter in Life
Well-groomed and composed as you would expect of a star, Gabiro remains grounded, committed to his work, and sometimes hosts producers on the farm for weeks at a time, working intensely on music and projects amid the fields. Make no mistake: today, Gabiro remains one of Rwanda’s most gifted musicians. When he touches a song, his artistry is unmistakable. Yet, he finds peace in the very place where he least expected to end up—the farm.
Gabiro Guitar’s name became synonymous with talent and perseverance during his time on Tusker Project Fame. “It was a big break for me,” he recalls. “I was young, hungry, and passionate about music. The stage gave me confidence and the exposure to dream big,” he says. Though the competition introduced him to a wider audience, his musical journey began long before. He grew up in a family of seven, balancing academics with an early fascination for melody and rhythm. “My young age was spent in Gikondo. That’s why people know me there,” he says. Music was always his companion, a constant in the shifting landscapes of his youth. Even before Tusker Project Fame, he imagined a life surrounded by notes, chords, and harmonies.
After the competition, Gabiro continued building his music career. His songs, including Koma and Igikwe, showcased his talent in songwriting and performance, earning him a loyal fanbase. “The experience taught me so much about resilience,” he reflects. “It gave me openings to understand what real life outside the studio and stage could be,” he observes.
Balancing Art and Practicality
When music meets survival, television fame offered exposure, but success required pragmatism. Gabiro balanced music with work, taking on jobs such as night manager while studying and continuing to produce music on the side. “Even after Tusker Project Fame, I had to work,” he says matter-of-factly. “Music was part of me, but I also needed to eat.” This blend of artistry and practicality eventually opened doors to entrepreneurship and agribusiness.
“You reach a point where you ask yourself: what am I really building?” he says. “Fame is good, but it doesn’t pay the bills consistently. You need stability.” Gabiro’s approach was never about giving up on his dreams; it was about expanding them. He saw opportunities in multiple worlds and decided to explore them fully.
The Accidental Farmer
The first time Gabiro set foot on a farm, he wasn’t there to sing. He had been helping a friend who kept chickens and realized the potential in agribusiness. “I saw how fast things could move, the cycle, the returns, the sustainability,” he says. “I thought, this is something I can grow with.”
Gabiro set up his farm on his family land in Nzige Sector, Rwamagana District, deciding to carry on his father’s legacy while creating a business that could support him. He focused on layers and broilers. “In the beginning, I didn’t even have enough capital,” he laughs. “I had to skip studio sessions sometimes just to save money for the farm.” Today, his poultry project houses 700 birds, producing roughly 150 trays of eggs a week. He also keeps a few cows, about six, to be exact, whose milk supplements the farm’s income. He also has a seven-acre banana plantation from which he harvests 5-tonnes of bananas in a good season.
Healing and Purpose
What started as a survival project has grown into a business and, unexpectedly, a sanctuary. “This place is therapy for me,” he explains. “I come here, meditate, even write my music. Sometimes I bring my producers, and we stay here for weeks working on projects.” The transition from stage to farm wasn’t easy. It required unlearning old habits, facing new challenges, and embracing a different rhythm of life.
“There were moments I doubted myself,” he admits. “You lose opportunities, you see people moving faster than you, and you ask if you’ve made the right choice. But then you realize growth isn’t always loud,” the Koma singer says. The farm became his space for healing after personal loss, business setbacks, and moments of uncertainty.
Bridging Art and Agriculture
Gabiro is not giving up on music. Far from that, he believes his journey as a farmer has deepened his creativity. “Farming has taught me patience,” he says. “It’s like music. You plant, you nurture, you wait, and one day you harvest.” He continues to record and has been working on new projects, some of which will be released under his creative agency, GG Agency, co-run with collaborators including the French Institute.
Through his experiences, Gabiro hopes to show that it’s possible to thrive in multiple worlds and that an artist can be both a creator and an entrepreneur. “We artists love to do things privately, but I want to open up and show that we can do more than perform. We can build,” he observes.
Advocacy and Giving Back
Beyond business, Gabiro sees his journey as part of a larger mission, which is to inspire and advocate for young people, especially artists struggling to find their footing. “I want to go into advocacy for youth and creatives,” he says. “Because at the end of the day, I’m creating jobs and contributing to something bigger.” He believes artists should be at the forefront of promoting innovation and financial independence.
“We are role models, whether we like it or not,” he says. “If I can show that an artist can run a farm, create employment, and still make good music, then maybe someone else will believe it’s possible,” he points out.
Challenges and Dreams
Like any farmer, Gabiro has had his share of struggles. “Capital was the hardest part,” he says. “Starting out, you need money for feed, equipment, vaccines and vaccines. They are not cheap.” He also learned that agribusiness demands constant attention. “You can’t treat it like a hobby,” he says. “Chickens need care every day. If you skip even one, you lose a lot.”
The learning curve was steep, but so were the rewards. “When I see the eggs being collected, or the cows healthy, it gives me joy,” he says. “It’s not just about money. It’s seeing something grow because of your effort,” says the singer-turned-farmer.
Looking Ahead
Now, Gabiro is setting his sights higher. He’s studying ways to venture into egg powder production, a business he believes could tap into Rwanda’s growing food-processing sector. “Everyone is doing poultry now,” he says. “So, I want to go beyond the usual and add value.” He has been researching the process and looking for partnerships or grants to help him set up the next phase.
At the heart of Gabiro’s story is resilience. “I’ve been through hardships, but I never surrendered,” he says firmly. “Every time I fall, I start again. I’m not a loser. I’m a starter.” He credits his Rastafarian philosophy for grounding him through ups and downs. “I’m a real Rasta,” he says with a grin. “I do my thing with love and faith. I don’t compete. I just grow.”
For now, he balances his time between the farm and the studio, drawing strength from both. “When I’m on the farm, I think clearly,” he says. “When I’m in the studio, I pour that energy into my music. It’s a beautiful balance.”
