LIGHTS, BACK ON – The REVIVAL OF MUSIC IN RWANDA
From the 14th of March 2020, when the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Rwanda, many social activities, including concerts and gatherings, came to a halt, as they were prohibited. This brewed anticipation for people to catch some vibes again. Let’s set the scene; liquor is flowing, your favourite artist is live on stage and you’re surrounded by your’ people dem’ coasting on a friendly wave. Who would not miss that???
For us music lovers, this is what we live for. Rwanda is keeping COVID-19 at bay, with 22.63% of the population being fully vaccinated, the highest number in East Africa now; THE SHOW MUST GO ON!!!
October can be summarised as a bleak night, turning into a beautiful morning as live concerts were ushered back with open arms after a year and six months of ‘nada/ zilch. Kigali was set on fire by various shows, including TRAPPISH CONCERT for the trap lovers, which was organised by Intore Entertainment and was headlined by the founder of the trappish movement himself, the promising trap artist Ish Kevin, a concert in which other trap/hip-pop artists like Logan Joe and Kenny K Shot also took to the stage.
RG CONSULT INC. marked our calendars with November’s Kigali jazz junction in the names MOVEMBER FEST, which took place at Canal Olympia on the 5th of November 2021. Artists included Kenny Sol, known for collaboration alongside Bruce Melodie for the anthem that carried us into 2021 last year ‘Ikinyafu’, Okkama with ‘Iyallah’, Gabiro Guitar, who has made waves with ‘Igikwe’ ft. Confy was supporting band Neptunez.
The man himself, Adekunle KOSOKO known, better known for his stage name Adekunle Gold, came on stage at 9:30 PM, with the following profession “My heart is so full because it is my first time in Kigali and this is so beautiful. I guess I am an African boy making Africa proud”, shared the Nigerian singer/songwriter as he opened up the show. Attendees didn’t hold themselves as the ‘AG Baby’ beat dropped; Adekunle Gold was suited in red from head to toe, resembling the music. Inevitably ‘Pretty girl’ drove the crowd wild, and girls started to join him on stage for a ‘likl dance’.
10 YEARS OF BRUCE MELODIE is one of the most memorable concerts that ever took place in Rwanda, to be talked about for a while.
It was a spectacular show, Bruce Itahiwacu known as Bruce Melodie, celebrating his 10th anniversary in the music industry. There were different performances by the cultural dance troop Inganzo Ngari serving Rwandan Ballet, a traditional staple dance in Rwandan Culture.
The MC of the night was the Rwandan media personality and comedian Arthur Nkusi, who welcomed Bruce Melodie onto the stage… and that’s where it took off! Performing most of his popular songs from ‘Tubivemo’ ‘Let’s quit’, ‘Telefoni’ to ‘Sawa Sawa’, his latest song featuring Kenyan Hip-Hop artist Khaligraph Jones. Many celebrities and influencers were in attendance, like Kate Bashabe, founder of Kabash brand & Kabash Cares charity. The Mackenzies family of influencers was first known for their dance moves that went viral in 2018 and later produced Miss Rwanda 2020 Naomie Nishimwe, music artists like Juno Kizigenza, producers like Element Eleéeh were also amongst the attendees.
The show was jaw-dropping; the first time an artist in Rwanda had celebrated their anniversary in music career by putting on a concert with such intention, Kigali Arena was jam-packed and a vibe. The 29 years old Rwandan singer/songwriter launched his musical career in 2011 & has since been nominated & won various awards, including winning Primus Guma Guma Superstar season 8 in 2018. Bruce Melodie was the first Rwandan artiste to participate in Coke Studio Africa, which encourages budding music talents to collaborate and reach a wider audience whilst increasing brand awareness. Since 2014 he has been collecting awards left, right, and centre, including last year ‘The Choice Award: Artist of the Year 2021’ and ‘Kiss Summer Awards 2021: Best Summer Artist’.
Despite the overwhelmingly positive response, some feedback suggested that the show lacked dancers, pinpointing the technical issues they experienced with the microphones. Regardless, the positive comments & feedback were plastered all over the socials, especially on Twitter and here are some:
The following week, Kigali Arena was on fire yet again. KIGALI FIESTA, organised by East African Promoters (EAP), was held on the 13th of November 2021. Highly anticipated as the 24 years old Nigerian Artist Omah Lay performed for his fans, supporting acts included Ariel Wayz, Platini, Bushali, Juno Kizigenza, Ish Kevin and Davis D.
The show was hosted by the media personalities Bianca Baby and MC Buryohe; they warmed up the audience with a dance they both performed before the first act, Ariel Wayz, then later joined by Juno Kizigenza to perform their song ‘Away’, which filled the arena with sentimental feels project from the two lovebirds. Stanley Omah Didia, better known for his stage name Omah Lay, did incredible on exciting the crowd and delivering his performance with energy on stage; two beautiful female dancers joined him. The show closed with his song ‘Godly’, to which the whole audience sang along, word for word. After closing, he delivered a refrain as the audience chanted for more.
Shortly after the show, the observant crowd picked up on the following incidents; after the arrival of Omah Lay, the females welcomed him by giving him flowers which he threw away afterwards. To add salt to the wound, the following day, Omah Lay did not show for a press conference that had been pre-scheduled, in which he was supposed to meet with journalists; people took this as disrespect as it suggests that he doesn’t value the Rwandan journalist & organisers. Furthermore, fans and attendees were disappointed, as Juno Kizigenza was scheduled to perform as advertised as a solo act but did not perform aside from supporting Ariel Way’z during her performance; aside from the hiccups the show was lit!!!
Following weekend another concert, Divine Ikubor, known as Remmy Boy or Rema, performed in the Kigali arena at the BK All-Star Game 2021 that took place on the 20th of November; it was a trendy show in which artists like Social Mula, ‘Tuza’ hitmaker Mike Kayihura ‘Anytime’ ‘Sabrina’ and others performed the most interesting part of the show was when Rema brought Rwandan Influencer Sharon Higa to dance to ‘Soundgasm’ the whole crowd cheered on, and were so happy to see this interaction.
There were further phenomenal concerts and shows, notable mentions Fantasy Music Concert which Ric Hassani delivered a fantastic performance and on the 4th of December 2021 the most controversial concert in which Koffi Olomide performed as it was mentioned in one of the previous articles (https://www.soundsofafrica.org/most-controversial-concert-in-kigali/ ) – Read Here!
These shows were truly therapeutic as they helped people release stresses/anxiety that had built up due to the pandemic and revive the live music scene in Rwanda again. Most people in Kigali, especially young adults attended at least one of these shows; they were the hot topic of conversations; each weekend of November 2021 was a day to party and get your vibes on.
There was no other better way to end the year in 2021!
