KINYATRAP?

What is Kinyarwanda?

For Rwandans, Kinyarwanda is not just a mother tongue, it’s also a symbol of unity and identity. Rwanda is among the minority of African countries having a single African language. This shows how much Kinyarwanda is more than just a means of communication, it’s a bond that brings Rwandans together wherever they are. It carries the country’s culture and traditions. Whether in songs, tales or proverbs, Kinyarwanda reflects how Rwandans see the world and share their traditions.

What is trap?

Trap is a music style that comes from hip-hop and started in the southern United States, especially in Atlanta, in the 1990s. This genre is recognized by its fast rhythms, powerful bass and the use of electronic sounds. The lyrics often talk about the streets, life’s challenges and success. Today, trap has evolved and mixed with other styles like pop, afrotrap and even electro.

What is Kinyatrap?

Born in Nyamirambo, arguably the most vibrant neighborhood in Kigali, Kinyatrap is much more than just a musical genre. In Rwanda’s language, Kinyarwanda, we use the same word to say yesterday and tomorrow, “ejo”. Kinyatrap is exactly that, it’s “ejo”. It’s an artistic dialogue between Rwandan traditions and modern realities. Imagine a sonic cocktail mixing traditional rhythms, American trap and unique local expressions, which becomes an explosive creation representing today’s youth energy. “Ejo”, yesterday, today and tomorrow in a musical style. For young Rwandans, Kinyatrap is not just entertainment. It’s a means of expression, a way to tell authentic stories, deep hopes and daily challenges. Each track is like a page from a collective diary, mixing traditional sounds from previous generations with the “beats” that make current parties vibrate.

Soma Langues’ Kinyatrap recommendations

Artists like Ish Kevin, Bushali and B-Threy are more than musicians. They are storytellers, guardians of language and culture. They draw inspiration from ibyivugo, those ancient Rwandan warrior poems, to create contemporary poetry.

Each song is an informal lesson:

• Every chorus reveals authentic expressions
• Listening transforms pronunciation into melody
• The lyrics tell stories that bring words to life
• The rhythm makes you dance and without realizing it, speak Kinyarwanda
• You learn slang like a local, not like a student
• Your vocabulary enriches effortlessly
• It helps understand the subtleties of Rwandan humor

To discover Kinyatrap we recommend listening on Soma Langues’ Apple Music playlist:

• “Ku gasima” and “Kinyatrap” by Bushali
• “Gigi” and “Igitebo cya chanel” by B-threy
• “No cap” and “Clout” by Ish Kevin
• “Igicaniro” and “Horo” by Riderman
• “Ibitambo” and “Ntiwamvamo” by Kenny K-Shot
• “Irizi Waririzi” and “Ndi good” by Logan Joe
• “Huha” and “Ukumbura” by Sema Sole

At Soma Langues, we believe in the power of languages and cultural expressions to connect people. Kinyatrap is a perfect example of this connection, a bridge between generations, between traditions and innovations.