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{{Short description|Rwandan recording artist (born 1983)}}
'''Nduwimana Jean Paul''', commonly known as '''Noopja''' ({{IPAc-en|N|oʊ|p|j|ɑː}}; born {{Birth date and age|1983|8|7}}  in [[Nyarugenge District|Nyarugenge]], [[Rwanda]], to Daniel Baranzira and Therese Mukamazimpaka, is a [[Rwanda]]n recording artist,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gatera |first=Emmanuel |date=2024-03-06 |title=Noopja's Country Records and how they are revolutionising Rwanda’s music scene |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/15035/entertainment/music/noopjas-country-records-and-how-they-are-revolutionising-rwandas-music-scene |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=The New Times |language=en}}</ref>
entrepreneur, writer and founder of record label called Country Records. Noopja is the founder of East African leading recording studio 'Country Records',<ref name=":1" /> the founder of Rwandan radio station 105.7 FM Country FM and director of 'Necessary Generation', a local non-governmental organization that helps vulnerable youth from different corners of [[Rwanda]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gatera |first=Emmanuel |date=2024-06-21 |title=Rwandan artistes rock Africa Music Academy Awards |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/17837/entertainment/music/rwandan-artistes-rock-africa-music-academy-awards |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=The New Times |language=en}}</ref>
== Early life and career ==
Nduwimana Jean Paul, born on August 7, 1983, in the Gitambi sector of [[Nyarugenge District]], located in the [[Kigali|Kigali City]] capital of Rwanda.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Gatera |first=Emmanuel |date=2023-02-27 |title=Country Records is coming big and bigger – Noopja |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/5360/entertainment/music/country-records-is-coming-big-and-bigger-noopja |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=The New Times |language=en}}</ref>
He is the third-born child in a family of seven, son to Mukamazimpaka Therese and Baranzira Daniel.<ref name=":0" /> His siblings include KOZZE, a notable [[Rwanda]]n music producer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gatera |first=Emmanuel |date=2022-01-10 |title=Country Records unveils new producer |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/192678/Entertainment/country-records-unveils-new-producer |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=The New Times |language=en}}</ref> Noopja's passion for music was ignited by his mother, who served as a church drummer and was known for her devotion to praying and singing each morning at home.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Home - Noopja |url=https://noopja.com/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |language=en-US}}</ref> This early exposure to music and rhythm laid the foundation for his future career in the music industry.Facing challenges with the recording studios he initially worked with, He decided to establish his own recording studio, '''Country Records'''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gatera |first=Emmanuel |date=2023-03-13 |title=Country Records signs new producers |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/5717/entertainment/music/country-records-signs-new-producers |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=The New Times |language=en}}</ref> His goal was to create a supportive and respectful environment for artists, ensuring they received the recognition and assistance they deserved.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gatera |first=Emmanuel |date=2023-03-21 |title=Who are the new producers signed under Country Records? |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/5945/entertainment/music/who-are-the-new-producers-signed-under-country-records |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=The New Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-21 |title=African Music Academy Awards unveil overall winners |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/african-music-academy-awards-unveil-overall-winners |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Music In Africa |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 23, 2021 |title=Why Rwanda getting on Spotify is such a big deal |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/entertainment/why-rwanda-getting-spotify-such-big-deal |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=The New Times {{!}} Rwanda |language=en}}</ref>
In addition to founding Country Records, Noopja launched ''Country FM''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2019 |title=Leading Rwanda: Creating, communicating and realising your vision |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/leading-rwanda-creating-communicating-and-realising-your-vision |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=The New Times {{!}} Rwanda |language=en}}</ref> His vision for the radio station was to provide a platform that focuses on the youth, promotes their talents, and offers them opportunities to showcase their abilities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Times |date=2010-03-10 |title=Big John and Noop JA beef over song |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/34759/Leisure/big-john-and-noop-ja-beef-over-song |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=The New Times |language=en}}</ref> Through these initiatives, he has made significant contributions to the Rwandan music scene and continues to inspire and support young artists in his community.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Omondi |first=Cynthia |date=2022-04-29 |title=The Youngster Promoting Talents in Rwanda |url=https://www.viceversaglobal.com/the-youngster-promoting-talents-in-rwanda/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Vice Versa Global |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-25 |title=First stage laureates for 2024 African Music Academy awards announced {{!}} CIAM |url=https://www.ciamcreators.org/Newsroom/partners/first-stage-laureates-2024-african-music-academy-awards-announced |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=www.ciamcreators.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gatera |first=Emmanuel |date=2024-04-16 |title=EAEA award is a motivation to keep shaping young talents - Noopja |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/16028/entertainment/music/eaea-award-is-a-motivation-to-keep-shaping-young-talents---noopja |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=The New Times |language=en}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{instagram|noopja}}
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:Rwandan musicians]]
[[Category:Rwandan business executives]]
{{Africa-musician-stub}}