Knowless (singer)

Knowless (born Jeanne d’Arc Ingabire Butera on 2 October 1990) is a Rwandan singer. Butera writes many of her own songs. Her songs touch on such themes as romantic relationships, societal issues and daily life.[1]

Butera Knowless
Background information
Birth nameJeanne d’Arc Ingabire Butera
Born2 October 1990 (1990-10-02) (age 30)
Ruhango District
OriginRwanda
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2011 - present
Associated acts
Websitewww.instagram.com/buteraknowless

History

Early years and background

Jeanne d’Arc Ingabire Butera[2] was born in Ruhango District on 1 October 1990, the only child of Jean-Marie Vianney Butera and Marie Claire Uyambaje, who are both deceased. Her mother was formerly 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.[3]

In 2019, she graduated with an MBA at the Oklahoma Christian University. She is a mother to one child named Or.

Musical career

Knowless released her debut album, Komeza, in December 2011.[3] Her second album, Uwo Ndiwe, was released in March 2013.[4] Knowless is managed under the label Kina Music.[5]

She has performed throughout Rwanda and in neighboring countries, including Uganda,[1] and has collaborated with numerous artists, including Rwandans Danny, Paccy, Ciney, Jay Polly, Kamichi and Urban Boyz, and Ugandan group Vampos. She has named Belgium-based Rwandan musician Cecile Kayirebwa and American R&B singer-songwriter Brandy Norwood as inspirations.[3]

Awards

Knowless won "Best New Artiste" in the 2010 Salax Awards competition.[1] In August 2013, she took third place in the annual Primus Guma Guma Super Star talent competition, held at Amahoro Stadium.[6] In March 2013 she won her second Salax Award, this time in the category of "Best Female Artist".[4]

In 2013, Knowless was one of three Rwandan acts to perform at the "Rwanda Day" event held in London.[7] in 2015, Knowless Butera won the Primus Gumma Gumma Superstar 5th Edition, and she is the first woman to win such a competition

References
  1. Baike, Prisca (11 August 2013). "Rwanda's 'Beyonce' to rock Kampala". New Times. Rwanda. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  2. Tumwebaze, Peterson (2013-09-18). "I am still 'Kabebe' from the village: Knowless". The New Times. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  3. 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.
  4. Asiimwe, Peninah (14 April 2013). "Action packed: Female stars take over Rwanda". The Rwanda Focus. Rwanda. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  5. Kwesiga, Brian (28 June 2013). "Interview: Tom Close Promises Fire At Rwanda Nite". Chimp Reports. Rwanda. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  6. Ndushabandi, Charles (11 August 2013). "Riderman Wins Rwanda Talent Search". New Times. Rwanda. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  7. "Knowles applauds Rwanda day". RwandaShow. Rwanda. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
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