Primus GumaGuma Super Star Season 4 (PGGSS4) road shows resumed last weekend after a month-long break, with performances in Huye town,  Southern Province in a rather hyped manner with clear indications that the show is becoming very competitive by the day.

By 2p.m, the University of Rwanda (College of Arts and Humanities) stadium and pavilions were filled to capacity despite the scorching sun which the determined music lovers braved. Some hid under umbrellas while others carried placards to show support for their favourite contestants.

As usual, the hosts, MCs Tino and Anita Pendo, excited the crowd with their jocular remarks and stage gimmicks which set the stage for the 10 contestants.

Lucky members from the crowd too, like in the previous shows, were given a chance to dance on stage and compete for Primus goodies.

Soon, it was time for serious business. The stars, one by one, had their chance to impress the crowd but the most thrilling performance that almost dwarfed the others came towards the end of the show and delivered by Jay Polly.

The rapper hit the stage with a back up performance from one of the members of Tuff Gang and delivered a performance that got the crowd excited and singing along.  

From Ikosora to Chagua and the crowd’s favourite Deux foi Deux, Jay Polly left fans asking for more as he cracked a few jokes in between the songs. Jay Polly’s performance came second last before the show could close.

But before Jay Polly’s crowd staggering performance, Senderi "International Hit” was the first to perform, giving the show a perfect start.

Fully clad in a blue graduate gown with a primus bottle in his hand, he delivered Umuvuduko, Jalousie and Icyomoro to the excitement of the crowd. The audience proved he was a worthy contender when they sang along to his songs.

Then Young Grace came on with the second performance of the evening. The hip hop lady fused many of her songs in a nonstop mix with tacks like ‘Simubure, ‘Mpa umusada’, ‘Bingo’, ‘Party’ and ‘Like a boy’. Backed by Anita and Tino, she got a handful of the crowd singing along to her music too.

Jules Sentore came on third giving the crowd a different tune. First he kicked off his performance with a reggae song Dutaramane which got the audience jumping to the music and then Ngera, a traditional song that was enjoyed and danced along by many.

Bruce Melodie brought his rock fusion style in his songs Indorerwamo and Uzandabure and proved he was a good singer, even though there was a sort of disconnect between him and the fans. However, later when he performed ‘Njyewendumiwe’ as his closing act, he was able to move the audience.  

Christopher, the Kora Awards nominee, then followed Bruce Melodie. He first sampled his fans by singing ‘Habona’ live with no beats in the background and he was joined by the crowd. He then sung ‘Birahagije’ and ‘Irijoro’ as the crowd applauded him.

Diana Teta, the Fata fata star, hit it off with a fusion of traditional songs that didn’t appeal to the crowd before she sung her own compositions. She sang Canga ikarita, before doing a rendition of her breakout song Call me which is a fusion of Luganda, English and Swahili, then her other new song Kata. Her last song of the day, Fata fata, was the crowd’s favourite as they gave her deafening applauses.

Dream Boys, who are popular in Huye, were given a thunderous welcome when they took to the stage with the classic ‘Nshatse inshuti, before continuing with ‘Urare aharyana’ and ‘Ungaraguza agati’. The duo enjoyed their performance with the support of the crowd.

The group Active was next on stage, coming on with energetic synchronized dance moves which got the audience delighted. They sang Pole, Uzansaza and Aisha which was the crowd’s favourite song.

Amag the Black was the last to perform with songs like Care, Agakaye and Turikwishuri amidst a light drizzle that didn’t impact on his performance in any single way as fans cheered him on just like they did with Jay Polly who performed before him.

At 6p.m the show ended. It had been a wonderful show in Huye. The crowd could not get enough of the stars but, like they say, everything good comes to an end.