‘I didn’t choose music, music chose me. My father was a musician and did his best to keep me away from it, but music was in my blood, so I couldn’t run away from it!’

These are the words of producer and songwriter Robert Kamanzi, born in Burundi and now living in Kenya, after receiving the British Council’s International Young Music Entrepreneur (IYME) award at a ceremony in London.

The award comes with £7,500, to be spent on a project to be developed with the British Council.

IYME judge, John Dyer, of Domino Recording Ltd, read out the citation prepared by the judges for Kamanzi, he said, ‘Robert demonstrates outstanding discipline and tenacity. He is a passionate advocate for the power of music, and has the capacity to act as an advocate across business, social, educational and political perspectives. He also showed a real commitment to his region. He is an award winning music producer, with a proven track record as both an entrepreneur and as a champion for the development of the music industry in Kenya.’

According to the British Council’s Creative Economy website, the IYME award is open to entrepreneurs aged 25 to 35 who work in the music industry in developing countries. The award is now in its second year. So far, the finalists have been from Colombia, Estonia, India, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland, Tanzania and Venezuela.

Kamanzi, who started off as a singer and worship leader in his church choir, is proof that with determination and talent, anything is possible. He formed a gospel group called Shammah in 1998, which recorded an album entitled Ukilya Moko. Kamanzi wrote and arranged most of the songs on the album.

‘The track Ukilya Moko (‘Throw Your Hands Up’) became an instant hit and broke records for being the first gospel song to make it to number one on mainstream radio stations in Kenya,’ says Kamanzi. ‘People started looking for the person who had done this song and the rest, as they say, is history.’

He has produced more than 40 albums for other artists, as well as recording his own music.

Asked what it means to him to have won this award, he says, ‘It’s an honour for me to be recognised in this way and a confirmation once again that I am on the right track in my business – people believe in what I am doing and that’s great and very encouraging.’

Kamanzi speaks highly of the British Council’s programmes supporting the arts – especially WAPI (Words and Pictures), a forum for ‘underground’ artists in various media. ‘There are so many talented young people who need help and exposure, and the British Council is creating opportunities for them. WAPI rocks!’  WAPI events are held monthly at British Council offices. They provide an opportunity for record labels and fashion houses to spot new artists and uncover fresh talent.

Kamanzi thinks that the British Council should invest even more in the IYME initiative. ‘They should make the awards bigger as they mean a lot to participants,’ he suggests. ‘These awards have the potential to influence the world and to introduce new talent to creative industries.’

Kamanzi is now the CEO of Moja Entertainment Limited, a recording company in Kenya.

If you would like to get in touch with Robert Kamanzi, please drop him an email here. To read more about British Council events and programmes please visit this page. You might like to read more about past International Young Music Entrepreneurs. Read our latest news here: News in Africa section.