It was an active 2014 for the entertainment industry as they were a lot of twists, turns, losses and gains. For some, it will be an unforgettable year; when musicians earned their public acclaim, others engaged in witchcraft, fought wars of words and the lucky ones landed their ultimate dream. Society Magazine’s Dean Karemera looks at the highs and lows of 2014.

Jay Polly wins Primus Guma Guma Super Star 4

January was a dull month but when February kicked in, Primus Guma Guma Super Star season 4 kicked off. Auditions took place in March and were followed by a country wide tour. After losing out on two occasions, Jay Polly finally won the coveted prize of Rwf 24 million. However, PGGSS 4 was marred with bad publicity, bickering with journalists and the organizers of Salax Awards.

Local music stars get international recognition

At last, Rwandan music went places and Urban Boyz blew the gap wide open. They were the first Rwandan music group to feature on the international music channel Trace TV. After miserably losing out on participating in PGGSS 4, they got to work and their efforts paid off when they were nominated in the same category as East Africa’s big names like Diamond Platnumz, (Tanzania), Sauti Soul (Kenya) and Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo in the HiPop Awards in Uganda. Hot on their heels was Knowless who was also nominated in the same category.

Suspect Badman goes international

Based in South Africa, the 31-year-old Rwandan musician was born in Uganda and has collaborated with renowned musicians. His music has put Rwanda on the African map by doing collaborations with Ugandan musicians such as Bobi Wine, Eddy Kenzo, GNL Zamba and has shared a stage with King Shango Capleton, a renowned reggae artiste from Jamaica.

Farewell Patrick Kanyamibwa and Producer Jack

2014 took two prominent players in the music industry. Patrick Kanyamibwa, a popular journalist working with Family Television breathed his last at Kibagabaga hospital. At the time of his death, he was in the final stages of preparations for the annual Groove Awards Gala, an event where the best gospel music artistes in the country are recognised. In November, the music industry lost Jacques Uwayezu aka Producer Jack who was based in Burundi. Producer Jack helped promote many Rwandan artistes including Urban Boyz, Rafiki, Tom Close, Neg-G The General, Dream Boys and Jay Polly among others.

Musicians taste the coolers

The year wouldn’t have ended without some musicians sitting on the cold floors of Rwanda’s police cells over misconduct. Kizito Mihigo, who is currently facing terrorism charges, was put behind bars in April. Uncle Austin followed on a charge of issuing a bounced cheque.

Not long, rapper Riderman was also thrown behind bars in July following an early morning accident where he injured one person. He was later released on bail and was cleared of all charges last month. Masho Mampa didn’t escape the wrath of Rwandan police after he was held on charges of misconduct, theft, and being a public nuisance.

Raunchy songs banned

The Ministry of Sports and Culture took a strong stand on raunchy songs that were being aired on television. Among them was Ancila by Urban Boyz, Dr Jiji’s Welcome to bed and I Like You by Fearless.

Musicians face visa problems

It was a tough year as Rwandan musicians Knowless and RnB star King James were denied a visa to Canada where they had been invited for music shows. The development came after several Rwandan musicians were issued visas in the past and failed to come back. With a couple of concerts missed, we hope for the best in 2015.

Some sign out

MC Monday left the stage after 10 years in the music industry. Early this year, he made a public announcement that he was leaving his music career to concentrate on private business. Olivier Habimana aka Olili also hang up the microphone in June and joined a gospel ministry. Although she made a brief comeback, Miss Jojo also quit the studio and is now into private business.

Concerts that flopped

Salax Awards event that took place in March was a huge flop after they failed to come to an agreement with Primus Guma Guma Super Star Season 4. With some of the best artistes on the road, the show was a flop. Uganda’s Dr. Jose Chameleone and Kenyan diva Amani had been invited to the botched event in August. At the Gikondo Expo grounds, the event attracted less than 100 people and Chameleon later took to twitter to blast the organisers.

Tusker Project Fame season 3 and All Stars winner Alpha Rwirangira got the shock of his life when his concert in July at Kigali Serena Hotel failed to live up to the hype.

Finally, Jay Polly’s concert in December last year also had a small turn-up despite being the reigning PGGSS 4 winner. Musicians turn to witchcraft

After several rumours and an article published in The New Times, a member of Just Family, Bahati came out publically to confess that the group had turned to witchcraft to gain popularity. Just Family group members, Croidja, Jimmy and Bahati split last year and mid this year, Bahati saw the light and confessed. As if that was not enough, several reports came in about top ranking musicians who engaged in this habit with some musicians confessing that they had heard numerous accounts about fellow musicians who engage in witchcraft.

Celebrity fights

In the celebrity world, it is not an eventful year when artistes don’t ‘beef’ with each other. Popular cases included, Danny Nanone who almost went to court over a debt that DJ Zizou Al Pacino had failed to settle. ‘Frenemies’ P-Fla and Jay Polly decided that we hadn’t had enough of their circus and they gave out quite a lot.

As if the prison cell was not enough, Masho Mampa released the most vulgar song to come out of Rwanda. Senderi International Hit decided that he was going to discipline him and the last we heard, Masho Mampa was in hiding.

And Press On musicians, Meddy, The Ben, K8 Kavuyo and Lick Lick broke up; bringing an end to an era that was widely considered as the dawn of Rwandan music.

With all that happened, we only can hope that it gets better; for the losers, frowns for you. The winners, applause is in order and for those who hang up the microphone, Adios! Happy New Year!

dean.karemera@gmail.com