Gicumbi residents were on Saturday given a special treat during the beginning of Primus GumaGuma Super Star Season 6, a local music contest that brings together outstanding artistes. The show, which is sponsored by BRALIRWA’s flagship brand Primus, is in its sixth season and its return once again was hugely welcomed by music lovers.
Gicumbi residents were on Saturday given a special treat during the beginning of Primus GumaGuma Super Star Season 6, a local music contest that brings together outstanding artistes.
The show, which is sponsored by BRALIRWA’s flagship brand Primus, is in its sixth season and its return once again was hugely welcomed by music lovers.
All the ten contestants put up special performances and this got the audience at the fully packed Gicumbi venue begging for more.
At 2pm, the show hosts, Anita Pendo, who has been the emcee at the previous editions of this local music contest, was joined by MC Tino’s replacement, who introduced himself as MC Buryohe.
On the table of judges were Lion Manzi, Aimable Twahirwa, and Clementine Uwitonze commonly known as Tonzi. The trio have been judges on previous editions.
Danny Vumbi took to the stage first at exactly 2:10pm performing Ni danger, Baragowe, and Ni uwacu during which he was supported by a dance crew.
Vumbi, taking part in the contest for the first time, struggled to rouse the reluctant crowd but eventually they warmed up to his much known songs.
Bruce Melody followed on stage amid wild cheers as the 2015 runner-up announced his return to clinch the top prize.
Melody, who seemed to be the most anticipated contestant, performed Ndakwanga, Ntujyunkinisha and Umutwe. His energetic performance got the crowd to dance and sing along.
If one was to judge depending on the stage control and the fans’ excitement, Melody could probably be among the best performers of the day simply because almost everyone seemed to know his songs.
Also to prove his ability was Christopher Muneza, who marked his return strongly, having missed out on last year’s edition.
The RnB singer performed Agatima, Dutegereje iki and Birarangiye to the delight of Gicumbi residents who sang along and cheered the meek artiste.
Young Grace, one of the outstanding female rappers followed Christopher and wowed the crowd, which seemed to appreciate hip hop.
Although she had earlier reported sick, the singer managed to do her best in songs like Super fly, Ataha He,which is her new track and wound up with Hangover.
Jules Sentore, riding on being the only traditional Gakondo singer in the contest, followed Young Grace, accompanied by Intore dancers.
Sentore did Koraakazi, Udatsikira and concluded withNgera, a performance which saw the singer thrill the crowd with impressive traditional dance moves, before he gave way for newcomer Gaby Umutare.
Umutare, one of the most promising vocalists in Rwanda, performed Ntunkangure,Urangora, and Mesakamwe, one of the most liked songs in Gicumbi, before he paved way for fellow debutants TBB.
TBB, which saw Tino return to PGGSS as a contestant rather than MC, thrilled Gicumbi music lovers with a mesmerising performance.
The audience welcomed the trio with excitement especially when Tino, coming up to introduce his mates Bob and Benja, who form the other part of TBB.
The group performed their popular songs including MbwizaUkuri, Yampayeinka, and Vuza ingoma which got the crowd stomping.
Female debutant Allioni followed TBB in the company of dancers. She performed Pole Pole, NiweMusimali, and Impinduka that saw the audience sing along, giving her a fitting welcome in the annual music contest.
Rapper Dany Nanone also had an exceptional performance. His songs, Njyendarapa, Imbere n'inyuma which he features Bruce Melody, and Ikirori, all saw people go wild as they helped him throughout the performance.
The day was closed by the trio of Safi, Nizzo and Humble Jizzo who constitute Urban Boys. The group ended its self-imposed exile from Guma Guma.
Gicumbi residents enjoyed the return of Urban Boys, as the trio put up energetic performances of Till I Die, Soroma Nsorome and Yawe to announce their intentions to gun for the top prize.
"It has been really fun seeing all these musicians step on the stage. We enjoyed every bit of the music. They are all great and it is really difficult to tell who will take it this early,” said Claire Murekatete, one of the revellers.
"But indeed some including Bruce Melody proved to be better than others even though all performed well,” she added.
The next stop is in Karongi this Saturday.