Dream Boys is a Rwandan R&B duo composed of Nemeye Platini (known as Platini) and Claude Mujyanama (called T.M.C.). The group was formed in 2009 and has toured throughout Rwanda as well as regionally to member countries of the

East African Community The East African Community (EAC) is an intergovernmental organisation composed of seven countries in the Great Lakes region of East Africa: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republics of Kenya, Burundi, ...

, including

Uganda }), is a landlocked country in East Africa East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territor ...

History

Platini and Mujyanama are friends since childhood and are both university graduates. The duo compose their own songs, which are produced by studio professionals in Uganda and Rwanda. They are managed under the label Kina Music. Their first album, ''Sinzika'', was released in 2009 to strong success in Rwanda. The first single off the album, ''Magorwa'', achieved widespread popularity across the country. Their second release, '' Isaano'', was well received but garnered less popular attention than their debut. A third album, ''Uzambariza Mama'', was released in 2012. The duo has also collaborated with other local and regional artists on numerous singles, including ''No one like me'' with Ugandan

Eddy Kenzo Edrisah Musuuza, known professionally as Eddy Kenzo, is a Grammy Nominated Ugandan singer and music executive who is a founder and a member of Big Talent Entertainment. He received international attention after the release of his 2014 single, " ...

, ''Nzagaruka'' with

Burundi Burundi (, ), officially the Republic of Burundi ( rn, Repuburika y’Uburundi ; Swahili language, Swahili: ''Jamuhuri ya Burundi''; French language, French: ''République du Burundi'' ), is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley at the ...

an T-Max, and ''Rwanda uri Nziza'' with Rwandans

Kitoko Kitoko, born Patrick Bibarwa, is a Rwandan singer. He released his debut album, ''Ifaranga'', in January 2010. The album enjoyed immediate and wide success in Rwanda and Uganda. In 2012 a reviewer for Ugandan newspaper ''The East African'' called ...

Urban Boyz Urban Boyz is a Rwandan R&B Afropop Duo composed of members James Manzi (Humble Jizzo) and Muhammed Nshimiyimana (Nizzo Kaboss). A reviewer for the Rwandan newspaper '' New Times'' described them in 2013 as "the country's leading music group." H ...

Riderman is a Japanese tokusatsu television series. It is the second installment in the popular Kamen Rider Series, and the direct sequel to the original ''Kamen Rider''. It was a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei, and was shown o ...

and Uganda's Radio and Weasel. The band has named Rwandan artists Miss Jojo and

Tom Close Thomas Muyombo (born 28 October 1984), also known as Tom Close, is a Ugandan-born, Rwandan-based comic book author, musician, and physician. A ChimpReports reviewer in 2013 described him as "the king of Afrobeat and dancehall" in Rwanda. Early l ...

as inspirations, as well as

Tanzania Tanzania (; ), officially the United Republic of Tanzania ( sw, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands and ...

n Ali Kiba.

Themes

The music of Dream Boys addresses themes relating to the challenges of their daily lives in Rwanda. The band has publicly advocated for social causes, including a male circumcision campaign in

Ruhango District Ruhango is a district (''akarere'') in Southern Province, Rwanda. Its capital is Ruhango town, a large settlement on the road between Gitarama and Butare. Geography The district lies due-north of the provincial capital Nyanza, straddling the ...

to reduce prevalence of

HIV The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two species of ''Lentivirus'' (a subgroup of retrovirus) that infect humans. Over time, they cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which progressive failure of the immune ...

infection.

Awards

Dream Boys took fourth place in the annual Primus

Guma Guma Super Star Primus Guma Guma Super Star (aka PGGSS) is an annual Rwandan reality singing competition show. PGGSS is sponsored by Bralirwa's Primus lager and was created by East African Promoters (EAP) to help grow music entertainment in Rwanda. Unlike East ...

talent competition, held at

Amahoro Stadium The Amahoro Stadium ( rw, Stade Amahoro; french: Stade Amahoro; Kinyarwanda for "Peace Stadium"), officially known as Amahoro National Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in the Gasabo district of Kigali, Rwanda. With a capacity of 25,000, it ...

in August 2013. The duo has won numerous other awards, including a Pearl of Africa music award.

References

{{Authority control Rwandan musical groups Musical duos Contemporary R&B duos