Dominic Nic Ashimwe

Born on 10 December 1985, Dominic Nic Ashimwe is a gospel musician from Kigali, Rwanda. He is a praise and worship leader whose songs are credited for changing lives of many people in his country. He was raised in Rubavu, west of Rwanda in a Christian family where he developed a passion for the gospel of Jesus. At the age of eight, he became a member of a children choir at the Pentecostal Church in Rubavu. This prompted his love for music and began listen to music from great artists like Lucky Dube, R. Kelly, Craig David, Miriam Makeba, Youssou N’dur among others. Their music helped to shape his career. At the age of 11, he composed his debut single called ‘Mana Rurema’ (meaning God Creator’. Since then, he began learning how to play piano and the guitar. Together with his friends Tumaini and Amani, they founded a music group called God’s Gift Group. The group split when members went to different high schools.

In 2008, he released a single called ‘Inshuti Nziza’ (meaning good friends). The track was recorded at Alphanet Studio in Goma, DRC by well-known producer Frank Mastola. The song made him popular and since then he began recording more songs.

In 2010, he launched his debut album titled ‘Arikumwe Natwe’. The music project featured songs he had released back then. Some of the songs include ‘Nemerewe Kwinjira’ (God allow me to enter), ‘Ntihinduka’ (God never change), ‘Ntacyadutanya’ (nothing shall separate us), ‘Ingoma ya Yesu’ (the reign of Jesus), ‘Nditabye’ (Responding to your call) and ‘Arikumwe Natwe’ (God is with us). He also did collaboration with Burundian gospel artist Fortrand Bigirimana on a song called ‘Nyuzuza’ (Fill me). To date, he has recorded two studio albums namely ‘Arikumwe Natwe’ and ‘Umubavu’. He is reportedly working on an album called ‘New Hear of Worship’.

He has won a number of awards. He was voted Best Gospel Artist of The Year at the 2010 SALAX Awards. In 2011, he won the Best Gospel Artist award in the East African Region at the East African Music Award Edition in Nairobi, Kenya. His ‘Arikumwe Natwe’ album also received the best album prize.