Butera Knowless
Rwandan singer (born 1991)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Knowless (born Jeanne d’Arc Ingabire Butera) is a Rwandan singer and a winner of Primus Guma Guma Super Star seasons 5 (PGGSS).[1] Butera writes many of her own songs. Her songs touch on such themes as romantic relationships, societal issues and daily life.[2]
Butera Knowless | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jeanne d’Arc Ingabire Butera |
| Origin | Rwanda |
| Genres |
|
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Label | Kina Music |
| Website | www |
History
Early years and background
Jeanne d’Arc Ingabire Butera[3] was born in Ruhango District, and is the wife of Ishimwe Clement. She is the only child of Jean-Marie Vianney Butera and Marie Claire Uyambaje, who are both deceased. Her mother was 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.[4] In 2019, she graduated with an MBA at the Oklahoma Christian University. She is a mother of two girls named Or & Inzora Butera.
Musical career
Knowless released her debut album, Komeza, in December 2011.[4] Her second album, Uwo Ndiwe, was released in March 2013.[5] Knowless is managed under the label Kina Music.[6]
She has performed throughout Rwanda and in neighboring countries, including Uganda,[2] and has collaborated with Rwandans Danny, Mc Tino, Paccy, Ciney, Jay Polly, Kamichi and Urban Boyz, and the Ugandan group Vampos. She has named Belgium-based Rwandan musician Cecile Kayirebwa and American R&B singer-songwriter Brandy Norwood as her inspirations.[4] In 2021 she released an album called Inzora.[7]
Private life
Her husband is Clement and they have two daughters.
Awards
Knowless won "Best New Artiste" in the 2010 Salax Awards competition.[2] In August 2013, she took third place in the annual Primus Guma Guma Super Star talent competition, held at Amahoro Stadium.[8] In March 2013 she won her second Salax Award, this time in the category of "Best Female Artist".[5]
In 2013, Knowless was one of three Rwandan acts to perform at the "Rwanda Day" event held in London.[9] In 2015, Knowless Butera won the Primus Gumma Gumma Superstar 5th Edition, and she is the first woman to win such a competition.[10]