The quiet town of Nyamagabe came to life as artistes performed during the Primus Guma Guma Super Star (PGGSS5) road show at the district stadium last Saturday. The show attracted a big crowd which at first was reluctant to warm up. It was clear that artistes improved on their performances compared to the previous road show in Rusizi.
The quiet town of Nyamagabe came to life as artistes performed during the Primus Guma Guma Super Star (PGGSS5) road show at the district stadium last Saturday. The show attracted a big crowd which at first was reluctant to warm up. It was clear that artistes improved on their performances compared to the previous road show in Rusizi.
Bull Dogg opened the day with his performance of Nk’umusaza which worked the crowd. The rapper, with support of his back-up Khalifan, shrugged off his sickness and performed well.
The ‘Cinema’ rapper who goes by real names Malik Ndayishimiye also took a moment to clear the air on the alleged fight involving Tuff Gang and Eric Senderi, stating that there is no conflict whatsoever. He blamed local news sites for exaggerating the matter.
After Bulldog, it was Knowless Butera’s turn to wow the crowd but the songstress who was battling a cold and hoarse voice could only perform in playback. Nevertheless, she managed to get something out of the crowd with a performance of Sweet Mutima and Baramushaka.
It is not only Bulldog and Knowless who battled with mild sicknesses. Passy of boy band TNP also said sickness affected their debut performance at the Rusizi road show last weekend.
"I was sick and nervous in Rusizi which affected our performance, but I have since recovered and rested,” the TNP member said before the duo put up an improved performance.
TNP, who are in PGGSS for the first time, performed Kamucerenge and Byina amidst cheers from their fans, who were asking for more.
Rafiki Mazimpaka of the Choga style fame came on next brandishing a Rastafarian flag. The dreadlocked singer performed Igikomando and Igikobwa, some of the songs that made him a household name some few years back.Next on stage was Oda Paccy who also excited the crowd with a powerful performance of Ese zapfa, Love ya Weekend and Rendezvous among others.
Bruce Melody was the sixth artiste to get on the stage and he ripped apart the crowd with a wonderful performance of his hits Ndakwanga, Ntundinze and Ndumiwe. The singer seems to have put behind his legal troubles with Super Level to pose a serious challenge for the Guma Guma title.
The crowd appreciated his performance, with some of the fans who saw him for the first time declaring their support.
"It is my first time to see Bruce Melodie perform apart from hearing his songs on radio. I think he has my support,” said a one Bosco Bizimana.
Dream Boys, the other serious title contenders followed immediately, belting out their hits Uzahahe Uronke and Tujyane Iwacu.
Dream Boys were followed by Jules Sentore who impressed with a delightful performance of Angela, Kora Akazi and Ngera. The Gakondo singer wowed the crowd with traditional poems (Ibyivugo) proving that Rwandans still revere their culture and traditions.
After Sentore, the all entertaining Active took the stage to wow Nyamagabe residents with sleek dance moves as they sang Lift and Pole. As usual Active easily impressed with their dance routine, though their vocal abilities came into question.
To close the show was the unpredictable and eccentric Eric Senderi, the self-proclaimed International Hit, who usually has something up his sleeve to move the crowd. Despite his CD failing to play at first, the ‘Jalousie’ singer surprised the crowd with an impressive dance routine with his dancers. Things eventually normalized and he kicked off his performance with Twaribohoye and Nta Cash, songs the locals were very familiar with.
In the end, the fans were left impressed.
"I think all the artistes gave it their best but Bruce Melodie and Dream Boys particularly impressed me,” said Didier Nkurunziza, a fan of PGGSS.
Francine Naomi Umutoni, the Brand Manager for Primus and Turbo King said that the road show in Nyamagabe turned out well.
"The show went on well and we had a big turnout in Nyamagabe compared to the last editions. It is big and better because we brought new artistes who weren't there last year and the people were happy."
She added the security was beefed up and there were no incidents. The road shows will take a break for the stars to join the country in commemorating 21 years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
editorial@newtimes.co.rw