Tom Close, born Thomas Buyombo, is a Rwandan R&B, Afrobeat and dancehall singer and professional medical doctor. A ChimpReports reviewer in 2013 described him as "the king of Afrobeat and dancehall" in Rwanda.
In 2005 Muyombo formed his first group with four friends under the name Afro-Saints, recording five songs between 2006-2007 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, released in May 2008. He recorded four more albums between 2008 and 2013, entitled Subeza, Ntubanyurwa, Komeza Utsinde and Mbabariara Ugaruke.
In 2013 Tom Close described his style as "Afrobeat, Dancehall, Pop and RnB with an African style". 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. Among his influences are Chris Brown and Usher.
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. 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. He performed at a concert celebrating the ten year anniversary of regional telecommunications company MTN alongside international artist Shaggy and has so far performed alongside artists like Sean Kingston, Jason Deluro to mention But Afew.
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.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
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