Riderman Says Critics of His Genre Mixing Have Come Around

Rwandan rapper Riderman says artists who once criticized him for blending rap with other music genres have since adopted the same approach.

Speaking during an appearance on IGIHE Sports Club, Riderman reflected on criticism he faced more than a decade ago, when Rwanda’s rap scene strongly favored traditional hip-hop. At the time, artists who mixed rap with genres such as Afrobeats and reggae were often dismissed by peers.

Riderman said the criticism created pressure but did not influence his artistic direction. He explained that he remained focused on his goals and continued producing music across different styles, confident in his creative vision.

He noted that many of the artists who once criticized him are now producing genre-blended music themselves. According to Riderman, this shift highlights how musical trends and attitudes within Rwanda’s music industry have evolved over time.

Asked whether the criticism ever made him consider changing his approach, Riderman said it did not. He added that his albums still feature a variety of musical styles and that resistance only motivated him to continue experimenting.

Riderman has been active in Rwanda’s music industry for nearly 20 years and is regarded as one of the country’s leading rap artists. He said he plans to hold a concert later this year to celebrate his career milestones.

Source

IGIHE