KIGALI — If you have listened to King James’s new song ‘Nakwibeshyeho’, you have probably heard a female voice that many people cannot put a name to, yet one gifted enough to hold its own among Rwanda’s finest vocalists.
That voice belongs to Iradukunda Dorcas, a singer who rarely appears in the media and is even harder to spot at entertainment events. She is one of the country’s most sought-after backing voices, often heard on stage supporting other artistes, but seldom seen in photos or videos because she is not an active social media user.
Dorcas is a graduate of the Nyundo School of Music, and her talent has made her a regular choice for live performances and studio sessions.
A missed chance to join KINA Music
According to information obtained by IGIHE, Dorcas was at one point the artiste KINA Music wanted to sign before the label eventually brought in Zuba Ray. Ishimwe Clement explained that the plan was to sign Dorcas first, but the deal never materialised.
“The whole intention was to sign Dorcas, but in the end it did not work out. Sometimes one person’s misfortune becomes another person’s opportunity, because we then went ahead and took Zuba Ray.”
— Ishimwe Clement
Beyond lending her voice to ‘Nakwibeshyeho’, Dorcas was also among the singers who backed King James on stage during his recent concert marking 20 years in the music industry.
The story behind ‘Nakwibeshyeho’
King James had earlier teased the song to his fans, revealing that it carries a story he has lived with for more than a decade.
“In 2015, someone came to me and said, ‘Write my story. My name is Alice.’ She told me everything, and left me with nothing but her name and her pain.”
— King James
The artiste said he kept Alice’s story and her pain close to his heart until 2022, when he decided to put it into writing — a song he has worked on for four years.
‘Nakwibeshyeho’ is expected to be among the songs King James performs at his upcoming concert in the United States. He is set to perform at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, on 28 November 2026.
