Butera Knowless

Butera Knowless
Birth name	Jeanne d’Arc Ingabire Butera
Born	Musanze
Origin	Rwanda
Genres	R&B Afrobeats
Occupation	Singer
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	2011 - present
Labels	Kina Music
Spouse	Ishimwe Clement
Website	www.instagram.com/buteraknowless

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]

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]

References

1. "Mixed reactions as Knowless claims Guma-Guma crown". 16 August 2015.
2. Baike, Prisca (11 August 2013). "Rwanda's 'Beyonce' to rock Kampala". New Times. Rwanda. Archived from the original on 12 August 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
3. Tumwebaze, Peterson (2013-09-18). "I am still 'Kabebe' from the village: Knowless". The New Times. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
4. 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.
5. Asiimwe, Peninah (14 April 2013). "Action packed: Female stars take over Rwanda". The Rwanda Focus. Rwanda. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
6. Kwesiga, Brian (28 June 2013). "Interview: Tom Close Promises Fire At Rwanda Nite". Chimp Reports. Rwanda. Archived from the original on 12 August 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
7. "Knowless Set To Release Inzora, Her "Best Album Ever"". KT PRESS. 2021-06-05. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
8. Ndushabandi, Charles (11 August 2013). "Riderman Wins Rwanda Talent Search". New Times. Rwanda. Archived from the original on 12 August 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
9. "Knowles applauds Rwanda day". RwandaShow. Rwanda. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
10. "Satire: How Rwanda's Knowless made me stop flirting". Monitor. 2023-10-08. Retrieved 2024-01-14.