His music is unique. There's that feel of jazz, blues, rock, funk, a touch of culture combined with sophisticated vocals that smoothly carry a deep, mystic, and poetic message. 

This is what people were treated to on Sunday during Keziah Jones first concert in Kigali, which took place at the newly constructed Ubumwe Grande Hotel in downtown Kigali City.

Keziah Jones was joined by compatriot Nneka Lucia Egbuna, and the two Nigerian music stars gave people a unique experience of the ‘modern contemporary African music’. 

Jones was the leading act of the evening, while Nneka came as a surprise artiste.

Nneka opened for the much-awaited Keziah Jones, and set the mood through her unique soul music. 

She performed three songs before leaving the stage, including My Home and Do You Love Now. 

Jones, who was the main headline act, was invited on stage at 7:30 pm amid wild cheers from excited fans, majority of whom expatriates. 

Performing for the first time in Rwanda, the self-proclaimed ‘Afro Blufunk Innovator’ did his popular songs most of which not enjoying airplay on the mainstream radio and TV channels we watch and listen to every day, but carry deep meaning of African identity.

With his wonderful guitar strumming style experience, the singer got everyone scream and cheer him as he displayed his skills. 

He performed songs like Where’s Life, Kpafuca, Watchtower, Cash, Beautiful Emilie, and Femiliarise, to name a few.

It was clear that music lovers didn’t want him to leave the stage. 

In fact, no sooner had he finished the first performance than everyone went wild, requesting for more, hence forcing him to come back on stage.

"Tonight was so great because I was able to play many of the songs from my albums, and everyone was so attentive, listened to the music, and paid attention to the lyrics. I was able to express my evolution from a street artiste to a signed artiste, and definitely had an opportunity to treat people to the modern African music which I call ‘Blufunk’,” said Jones after his performance.

The singer is also a painter, poet, playwright, and generous educator of African music, which is part of what brought him to Rwanda. 

The two will be conducting master classes for music at the Nyundo Music School based in the Western Province.

"All those things are one because colour, words and music is all art. Therefore, we’ll be in Gisenyi teaching students about what we do and particularly the African music. 

We all believe that being who we are should be explained to the next generation to understand,” he noted.

On the other hand, Nneka, who has been in Rwanda several times, said she always feels home when she gets in Rwanda and that this is why she keeps coming.

"I am just excited coming back to Rwanda and I feel like this is where I should be. Keziah invited me to join him for the music workshop we are having and I didn’t hesitate knowing that I was coming to Kigali,” she noted.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw