Rwandan rapper Twizeyimana Eric, popularly known as Twizzy Boy, has revealed that his departure from the hip-hop group Tuff Gang was driven by academic commitments in India at a time when the group was still finding its footing in the music industry.
Speaking to Africa Diplomacy , Twizzy Boy explained that while he pursued studies abroad, his bandmates — Bull Dogg, Green P, and the late Jay Polly — continued to push forward with music, which allowed the group to firmly establish itself on the local scene.
Formed in the summer of 2007, Tuff Gang grew out of a friendship and a shared ambition to build a strong hip-hop movement. Its founding members included Twizzy Boy, Jay Polly, Bull Dogg, and Green P, with significant support from producer Lick Lick, who was then studying with Bull Dogg at Saint André.
Twizzy Boy recalled that before settling on the name Tuff Gang, the group had initially considered calling itself “Santa Sai-Ras”. However, Bull Dogg felt the name did not align with their vision. Eventually, Jay Polly and Bull Dogg proposed Tuff Gang, a name inspired by old-school hip-hop culture.
“Santa Sai-Ras meant ‘Saints or messengers sent to bring peace and light to God’s people.’ At the time, we wanted to present ourselves as a group with a strong message and a spiritual-like mission to inspire change through hip-hop,” he explained.
At the time, Twizzy Boy was studying at SFB University in Gikondo and had earned a scholarship to pursue further studies in India. “In 2008, I left for India. Yves later joined me there, and Tuff Gang carried on with the remaining members,” he told InyaRwanda.
His departure deeply affected the group, especially Jay Polly, who broke down in tears. “He told me they were losing a great rapper. I had finished my studies and was in a position to support the group financially and creatively, but the scholarship left me with no choice but to leave,” he said.
Twizzy Boy credited producer Lick Lick with playing a pivotal role in shaping the group, bringing artists together for collaborations and guiding them musically.
He also reflected on the challenges they faced, noting that their parents were skeptical about hip-hop, dismissing it as a “waste of time.” Still, the group’s passion for music kept them going. “We lived and breathed hip-hop, and everyone contributed what they could,” he recalled.
Before leaving for India, Twizzy Boy collaborated with Bull Dogg and Jay Polly on the track “Tell Me”, produced by Lick Lick. After his departure, rapper P-Fla joined the group, essentially replacing him. “P-Fla came in just as I left — it was almost as if he stepped into my place,” he said.
While Twizzy Boy pursued his studies, Tuff Gang continued to grow and eventually became one of Rwanda’s most influential hip-hop groups. During that era, other artists such as Faycal ‘Kode’, Dream Boys, The Ben, and Meddy were also rising to prominence.
Although he was no longer an active member, Twizzy Boy expressed pride in his contribution to the foundation of Tuff Gang and admiration for how his peers carried the vision forward.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
