Formed in 1974, Orchestre Impala became Rwanda’s most defining musical group of the 1970s and 80s by blending traditional Rwandan melodies with Zairian (Congolese) Rumba and Afro-jazz rhythms. The band, which originally featured seven members including Sebigeri Paul (Mimi La Rose) and Sebanane André (Pepe La Rose), recorded over 13 albums and achieved regional fame with hits like "Anita," "Iby’Isi ni amabanga," and "Abari mu kigero." Their music pioneered a nostalgic genre now known as Igisope, characterized by complex vocal harmonies and a "slow burn" organic sound. The group’s legacy was severely impacted by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, during which most members were killed; however, the band was revived in 2012 by survivors Mimi La Rose and Ngenzi Fidele. Today, performing as Orchestre Impala de Kigali, they remain a vital symbol of Rwandan cultural continuity and the enduring power of the "Golden Era" sound.