Singers, start your warm-ups! Kigali’s first-ever organised competitive karaoke contest is finally here, and the stakes will be high as singers take to the stage at Club 514 at Kisementi in Kigali.

Dubbed, ‘The Caro-OK Festive Sing-Off’, the competition will bring together a host of karaoke singers from across Kigali in a competition that will take place on Christmas Eve, December 24. They will be judged by the crowd.

"Registration already started last week and is still ongoing at any of our Karaoke venues (514 and Georgie’s). We’re limiting participants to 12 and we have 5 already.” said Carolyne Nderitu, the organiser of the competition.

Registration closes Wednesday, December 20, she said.

Club 514 has been hosting karaoke every Wednesday for the past two years.

"Subsequent to this festive sing-off, we’re looking into having a Caro-OK Sing-Off every quarter next year starting with the second quarter in April, then August and December next year,” Nderitu added.

The winner of the competition that night will take home Rwf100,000, while the first and second runners-up will take Rwf30,000 and Rwf20,000 (and a crate of beer each), respectively.

"When I first heard of the competition, I thought they were joking because I normally sing for fun. Now with money up for grabs, I am going to up my game and if the karaoke gods allow, I will be 100,000 richer by Christmas” said Chris Ndabarasa, a karaoke lover.

The competition will kick off at 7p.m and entrance is free.