Rwanda, You Should Be Loved

Beginning in 1978 when they were still children, The Good Ones' core members were first taught music by co-lead singer Janvier Havugimana's older brother, who was blind and later perished in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. They formed the band as a healing process after the genocide and the original trio's membership reunited Rwanda's three tribes, with one member each from the Tutsi, Hutu, and Abatwa tribes. It was an active attempt to seek out "the good ones", after having endured and witnessed unthinkable horrors.

Since they live without electricity and have had little access to devices to reproduce musical recordings, The Good Ones' vocalization is based on the singing traditions and dialect of their local agricultural district. They utilize one-of-a-kind instruments as well, often incorporating their own farming tools as percussion, as primary songwriter Kazigira interweaves intricate harmonies with Havugimana in a style frequently referred to as "worker songs from the streets". With their rural and remote hilltop origins, the harmonic similarities to American Bluegrass vocals is often eerie. Third member, Javan Mahoro, lends additional background vocals and percussion on select songs.