Tom Close

Tom Close (born Thomas Buyombo on 28 October 1986) is a Rwandan R&B, Afrobeat and dancehall singer and a professional medical doctor. A ChimpReports reviewer in 2013 described him as "the king of Afrobeat and dancehall" in Rwanda.^[1]

History

Early years

Muyombo, the second of three children,^[1] was born on 28 October 1986 to Edward Karangwa and Faith Grace Dukuze^[2] in the Masindi District of Uganda. After beginning his primary education in Uganda, Muyombo relocated to Rwanda, where he completed his secondary education at Kiziguro secondary school and the French Lycée de Kigali. In fourth grade, he began singing in church choirs. He completed a university degree in Human Medicine at the National University of Rwanda and is employed as a doctor at the national police hospital located in Kigali.^[1]

Musical career

In 2005 Muyombo formed his first group with four friends under the name Afro-Saints, recording five songs between 2006 and 2007 but without gaining popular success. His first single as a solo artist, "Mbwira", was recorded in November 2007 and was followed by the release of his debut album, Kuki, in May 2008. He recorded four more albums between 2008 and 2013, entitled Subeza, Ntubanyurwa, Komeza Utsinde and Mbabariara Ugaruke.^[2]

In 2013 Tom Close described his style as "Afrobeat, Dancehall, Pop and RnB with an African style".^[1] He has collaborated with numerous Rwandan and international artists, including Professor Jay, Radio and Weasel, General Ozzey, Knowles and Sean Kingston. He has toured widely in Rwanda and the countries of the East African Community, and performed in the United States in 2011.^[1] Among his influences are Chris Brown and Usher.^[2]

Awards

Tom Close was selected as the winner of the first annual Primus Guma Guma Super Star famous artists competition, held at Amahoro Stadium in 2011.^[3] In 2008 he won Best Artist at a competition hosted by the National University of Rwanda. He also won Artist of the Year at the Salax Awards in 2009, 2010 and 2011.^[1] He performed at a concert celebrating the tenth anniversary of regional telecommunications company MTN alongside international artist Shaggy.^[2]

Other activities

In addition to his career as a musical artist, Buyombo has written, illustrated and published several comic books, including Inka Yanjye (three volumes), Nkunda u Rwanda, and Isuka Yanjye.^[2]

References