Nirere Shanel | |
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![]() Nirere in 2017 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Ruth Nirere |
Origin | Rwanda |
Genres |
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Occupation | Singer |
Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 1998–present |
Ruth Nirere, better known as Nirere Shanel (previously Miss Shanel), is a Rwandan singer and actress. [1]
She began singing as a child and released two successful singles, both meant to comfort and commemorate the survivors and victims of the Rwandan genocide, while a secondary school student. Her songs are regularly played during the annual Genocide commemoration period, and in 2004 she won the "Never Again" competition to select the best commemoration artist. [2]
She had a major hit in 1998 at the age of 13 with the zouk tune "Ndarota!" off her debut album of the same name released earlier that year. [3] In 2004 she released two a cappella singles to wide success, raising her to national celebrity. Her music during this period reflected a mix of genres, including R&B, soul, zouk and acoustic music. [2]
In 2009 she released her debut album, entitled Narrow Road. [4] This album and her subsequent music reflect more traditional Rwandan musical styles. [2] She has collaborated on singles with numerous Rwandan, Kenyan and Ugandan artists. [3]
In 2012 she gave a series of performances for Rwandan peacekeepers stationed in Darfur, Sudan. [5]
In 2013 she moved to France to complete a two-year course in vocal performance. [4]
In 2017 she plays in the movie The Mercy of the Jungle starring Marc Zinga and Stephane Bak, produced by Joël Karekezi
Miss Shanel has been nominated three times for a Pearl of Africa Music Award in 2006, 2007 and 2008. [2] In 2009 she won a Salax Award in the category of Best Female Artist. [2]
In addition to her musical career, Nirere has launched a successful career as an actress. She starred in the films Avenir; [4] Long Coat, directed by Edouard Bamporiki; and Matière grise, directed by Kivu Ruhorahoza. She starred in Le jour ou Dieu est parti en voyage (2009), which recounts stories of the Rwandan genocide. [4] Nirere's performance earned her the prize for Best Actress at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Greece and at the International Film Festival Bratislava in Slovakia. [3] In 2011 she starred in the Rwandan film Grey Matter that deals with the aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda.