Gaël Faye is a Rwandan-French singer, songwriter, rapper, and writer whose work has drawn international attention for its poetic and deeply personal exploration of childhood, identity, exile, and memory. He is especially known for telling the story of Rwanda, including the genocide against the Tutsi, through his novels and public speaking. As he says, “But also: I am the only writer who is doing this. I am the only writer who comes from Rwanda and Burundi, who travels to speak about it. Nobody else is doing that. It’s weird. I’m like an ambassador.”

Born on August 6, 1982, in Bujumbura, Burundi, to a French father and Rwandan mother, Faye fled Burundi’s civil war and the Rwandan genocide at age 13 and settled in France. There, he discovered hip-hop as a way to process his displacement and identity. He studied commerce and earned a master’s degree in finance, even working briefly in London, before leaving his corporate career to focus fully on music and writing.

Music: Personal stories, universal themes

Faye began his musical journey with the hip-hop duo Milk Coffee & Sugar in 2010, before releasing solo projects including Pili Pili sur un Croissant au Beurre (2013), Des fleurs EP (2014), Lundi Méchant (2020), and Mauve Jacaranda (2022). His music blends rap with soul, jazz, semba, and Congolese rumba, reflecting his heritage and experiences of exile.

While his lyrics often draw on African roots and personal experience, they are not exclusively about Rwanda or Burundi. Instead, they explore universal themes such as memory, belonging, and resilience, making his music both deeply personal and widely relatable.

Literature: Bearing witness to history

Faye’s novels focus directly on Rwanda and the personal consequences of war. His debut, Petit Pays (2016), recounts his adolescence in Burundi and the trauma of fleeing genocide. The book received widespread acclaim, winning the Prix du roman Fnac, Prix du Premier Roman, and Prix Goncourt des Lycéens, and was translated into 36 languages. Faye co-wrote the screenplay for the 2020 film adaptation to ensure the story’s emotional and historical authenticity.

His second novel, Jacaranda (2024), continues to explore Rwanda’s history through personal and historical narratives and was awarded the Prix Renaudot. Through these works, Faye serves as both witness and storyteller, sharing Rwanda’s story with global audiences.

Cinema: Bringing stories to the screen

Faye’s most significant film contribution is the 2020 adaptation of Petit Pays, directed by Eric Barbier and shot in Kigali as a stand-in for Burundi. The film stars Djibril Vancoppenolle as Gaby (based on Faye) alongside Jean-Paul Rouve and Isabelle Kabano as his parents.
He has also appeared in music-centered films like Ayanda (2015) and Éphémère - Le Concert au Cinéma (2023), expanding his reach beyond literature. His contributions have earned him recognition such as the Grand Public Prize at the Justice Documentary Festival, Paris (2023).

Mentorship and teaching

Beyond writing and performing, Faye mentors young people, teaching poetry and songwriting to children from diverse backgrounds, including Romani communities in France. While these projects do not focus on Rwanda or Burundi, they reflect his dedication to storytelling, cultural exchange, and creative empowerment.

Awards and recognition

  • Literary Awards: Petit Pays won the Prix du roman Fnac, Prix du Premier Roman, and the Prix Goncourt des Lycéens (2016). His second novel, Jacaranda, received the Prix Renaudot (2024).
  • Music Achievements: His solo album Lundi Méchant (2020) achieved Gold certification in 2022, reflecting both critical and popular success.
  • Film and Documentary Recognition: Faye’s involvement in cinema, including the adaptation of Petit Pays, earned him the Grand Public Prize at the Justice Documentary Festival in Paris (2023).

While his novels explicitly focus on Rwanda, Faye’s music, mentorship, and performances explore broader human themes of identity, exile, and memory. He bridges personal experience with universal reflection, making him a singular voice in Franco-African literature and music.
Faye describes his mission simply: “It’s my story. I lost family in the genocide.” Through his writing, music, teaching, and speaking, he transforms personal history into narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide.

From a 13-year-old refugee in France to an internationally recognized artist, Gaël Faye demonstrates the power of storytelling to turn trauma into understanding. His literary and musical work ensures Rwanda’s history reaches global audiences, while his broader projects in music, teaching, and performance continue to explore human experience in all its complexity. Faye exemplifies how authentic African stories, told with care and artistry, can transcend borders and shape the future of Franco-African arts.