Conversations with Patric Germay

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Patric Germay. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Patric below.

Hi Patric, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Patric Kabare Germay, born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is the youngest of three brothers. His parents, both immigrants, brought diverse cultural influences to his upbringing—his father hailing from Belgium and his mother from Rwanda. Kabare grew up bilingual, learning English and French simultaneously.

His journey into music began in eighth grade when his older brother, Frederic, encouraged him to record a video of himself rapping lyrics he had written to popular radio instrumentals. To his surprise, the video received overwhelming praise, sparking a passion for writing and performing. Kabare quickly transitioned from writing lyrics to creating original music, collaborating with producers to develop his unique sound. By the end of ninth grade, he had completed his first album, Redefining the Definition, which he sold out within a week—a pivotal moment that confirmed his love for music.

Throughout high school, Kabare honed his craft by participating in online rap competitions, releasing mixtapes, and refining his lyrical and musical abilities. Upon entering university, he collaborated with fellow artists and producers to create his first serious album/EP, Roaches. The six-track project, featuring popular tracks like “8th” and the title track “Roaches,” highlighted Kabare’s blend of rap, poetry, and spoken word. He performed these songs at various shows, further solidifying his presence as an emerging artist.

After graduating from university, Kabare moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he partnered with producer Jeremy “The Programmer” Friday to create his second studio album, Lunartic. This 11-song album, featuring collaborations with Michigan-based artist Chris Cranick, demonstrated a more mature and experimental sound, delving into themes of addiction, dreams, depression, and life’s struggles. Kabare performed tracks from Lunartic at notable Nashville venues like Mercy Lounge and The Crying Wolf.

In 2016, Kabare returned to Michigan to be closer to his family. During this time, he met his wife, Jamie, and cherished time spent with his mother before her unexpected passing in June 2017. The loss of his mother deeply affected Kabare, prompting him to take a hiatus from music. Eventually, he channeled his grief into his third studio album, Dakia Love, a heartfelt tribute to his mother’s life and legacy. The 10-track album explores themes of grief, anger, sadness, hope, and resilience, capturing Kabare’s emotional journey. He performed the album in Michigan, sharing his story with audiences.

Tragedy struck again in November 2022, when Kabare’s oldest brother, Marc, passed away unexpectedly. Kabare, who was living in Atlanta at the time, later relocated to Washington State with his wife for work. It was during this period that he developed a deep appreciation for nature, finding solace and healing through hiking, often accompanied by his dog, Lucy. Inspired by these experiences, Kabare collaborated with producer Chris “EvansChrist” Evans to create his latest EP, Peace Beyond the Mountain. This five-track project embodies a nostalgic, old-school boom-bap sound, showcasing Kabare’s dedication to crafting meaningful music. He considers this EP his best work to date, a testament to perseverance and creative growth.

Peace Beyond the Mountain is available on all major streaming platforms, including YouTube, SoundCloud, and BandCamp. Fans can purchase the EP or physical CDs through BandCamp, with CDs expected to ship in mid-January. Kabare and EvansChrist are scheduled to perform locally in Kalamazoo on February 15th at the Dormouse Theater.

For updates and access to Kabare’s music, visit his linktree here: https://linktr.ee/YoitsKabare.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Kabare’s life has been marked by profound challenges that shaped his identity and artistic journey. Growing up in a multicultural household with immigrant parents from Belgium and Rwanda, he navigated the complexities of cultural duality while finding his voice. This upbringing, coupled with learning both English and French simultaneously, instilled a rich sense of heritage but also required Kabare to balance differing cultural expectations. These early experiences of identity formation played a key role in influencing his music and lyrical depth.

Tragedy struck multiple times, beginning with the loss of Kabare’s mother in 2017, an event that deeply impacted him and led to a temporary hiatus from music. This grief culminated in the creation of his heartfelt album Dakia Love, a tribute to his mother’s legacy and a raw exploration of emotions such as sadness, anger, and hope. Later, in 2022, the unexpected death of his older brother Marc, his closest confidant and supporter, brought another wave of profound loss. Kabare found solace and healing through nature, discovering the therapeutic power of hiking and self-reflection, which inspired his latest project, Peace Beyond the Mountain.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What do you do, and what do you specialize in?
Kabare is an independent hip-hop artist, rapper, and songwriter who specializes in creating emotionally resonant music that blends introspective storytelling with poetic lyricism. He incorporates elements of spoken word and old-school hip-hop while addressing themes like grief, mental health, identity, and resilience. His music reflects his journey through personal challenges, cultural heritage, and creative exploration.

What are you known for?
Kabare is known for his heartfelt, narrative-driven albums that tackle deep and often vulnerable topics. His works, such as Dakia Love, a tribute to his late mother, and Lunartic, which explores struggles with addiction, depression, and life’s uncertainties, resonate with audiences on a personal level. He is also celebrated for his old-school boom-bap style, showcased in his latest EP, Peace Beyond the Mountain, and for his ability to blend rap with poetry, making his music uniquely multidimensional.

What are you most proud of?
Kabare takes pride in his ability to turn personal struggles into art that not only reflects his journey but also connects with listeners on a profound level. He is particularly proud of Dakia Love, a deeply personal album dedicated to his mother, and Peace Beyond the Mountain, which he considers his best work to date. Additionally, he values his growth as an artist and his resilience in navigating challenges both within and beyond the music industry.

What sets you apart from others?
Kabare’s music stands out because of its raw authenticity and emotional depth. His ability to blend poignant storytelling with poetic lyricism allows him to tackle universal themes in a deeply personal and relatable way. Drawing from his multicultural background, personal losses, and love for old-school hip-hop, Kabare creates music that is both timeless and distinctive. His use of nature as inspiration, his therapeutic approach to music creation, and his focus on meaningful connections through art further set him apart from other artists.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5-10 years, the music industry, especially in hip-hop and independent artistry, is likely to continue evolving with a focus on authenticity and emotional resonance. As audiences grow increasingly drawn to raw, relatable storytelling, artists who share personal struggles and triumphs, much like Kabare does, will stand out. The rise of streaming platforms and social media will further amplify independent voices, giving them tools to connect directly with listeners worldwide. Additionally, there may be a resurgence of appreciation for old-school styles, like boom-bap, as listeners seek nostalgia blended with contemporary relevance. With mental health and self-reflection becoming central themes in cultural discourse, music that addresses these topics with depth and honesty is poised to thrive. For artists like Kabare, who specialize in meaningful, introspective work, this shift presents an exciting opportunity to reach and inspire more people.

Pricing:

• My EP “Peace Beyond the Mountain” is available for purchase on BandCamp for a $5 donation. Physical CDs will be available in January 2025, and will also be available for purchase @ kabare.bandcamp.com. Thank you!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/YoitsKabare
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoitskabare/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KabareMusicOfficial
• LinkedIn: https://www.tiktok.com/@yoitskabare
• Twitter: https://x.com/YoitsKabare
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YoitsKabare
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kabare
• Other: https://kabare.bandcamp.com/