The annual Primus Guma Guma Super Star (PGGSS) kicked off over the weekend in its 8th edition with the 10 contestants battling it out in the opening road show in Gicumbi District.

Thousands of people turned up at Gicumbi District stadium to enjoy performances from contestants competing for the grand prize in a competition sponsored and organised by BRALIRWA under its premier brand Primus.

The Northern Province residents are known for their love of music and they did not disappoint, turning up in their thousands to cheer their favourite artiste out of the 10 who are; Khalfan, Jay C, Bruce Melodie, Christopher, Mico The Best, Uncle Austin, Just Family, Active, Queen Cha and Young Grace

As early as 2pm, sound was well set as the support band, Sebeya Band, DJ Bisoso, MCs Buryohe and Sylvie were all ready and at hand to hype up the crowd as the venue filled up fast.

At around 3pm, Just Family were the first to step on the stage in what seemed to be a warm up performance. Having been off the music scene for a while following a breakup, the group struggled to get the crowd worked up.

By the time they performed ‘Bareke’ and ‘Hama’, it was becoming obvious that they will need to do better.

After Just Family, Queen Cha came on next, giving the contest a second shot and seemed to have an idea of  what her fans like most as she performed ‘Kizimya moto’ and ‘Rugari’, alongside her group of dancers before making way for rapper Young Grace.

Young Grace, looking to put behind a tough week which was characterised by a cold, stepped on stage and performed her songs ‘Hip-hop game’ and ‘Hello boss’ but the performance was less convincing.

She paved way for debutant Uncle Austin who after many years of trying, stood before a Guma Guma crowd, performing ‘Ibihe byose’ and ‘Everything’, a collaboration with Meddy, which won many hearts in the crowd in what was a successful debut performance.

Uncle Austin’s supposed ‘Afro-beat’ nemesis Micho the Best came on next and successfully got the crowd charged up as he performed ‘Akabizu’, during which he did the kissing gesture to express his love towards his supporters.

Boy band Active followed and immediately got into what they are known most for –dancing. The trio of Derek Sano, Olvis Mugabo and Tizo put up a dust-raising performance of ‘Aisha’ and ‘Udukoryo’, featuring Danny Nanone, cementing their place as this year’s top contenders.

When they were done, it was time for RnB singer Bruce Melodie to step on stage and he went on to prove why he is the artiste to watch this year. His performance of ‘Ndakwanga’ and ‘Ndumiwe’ attracted a massive applause.

The crowd was not satisfied and kept requesting for the hit single ‘Ikinya’ yet each artiste is supposed to perform 2 songs. The three judges Lion Imanzi, Aimable Twahirwa and Tonzi noticed that the crowd wanted more from Bruce Melodie but there is not much they could.

He left the stage for Christopher, who at this point had to his best to measure up after Melodie’s performance.

Christopher went on to prove why he is among the top contenders as he put up an impressive performance of ‘Ijuru rito’ which saw his fans hold banners aloft to show him support.

The RnB singer performed ‘Birahagije’ and when he was done, the crowd demanded for his latest single ‘Simusiga’.

After two big performances, MCs called on another debutant Jay C to come on stage.

The rapper, accompanied by his backup singer, had the task of sustaining the momentum. He performed ‘Sentiment’, his collaboration with Bruce Melodie and ‘Isugi’ but the crowd seemed reluctant to warm up to him.

As the road show was close to conclusion, the second hip hop artiste, Khalfan, came on to perform last and had the task of keeping the crowd as people were already streaming out of the stadium.

The rapper performed ‘Baby love’ and ‘Nabo sibo’ as the venue emptied really fast, proving how difficult it is for not so big artistes to perform after their more popular peers.

As curtains fell on the Gicumbi road show, most contestants had figured out where they stand in the annual competition, some leaving motivated while others know there is a lot to do going forward.

The second road show is slated on June 2, in Musanze.

The finale takes place on July 14. The winner voted by judges will walk away with Rwf20m while the most popular artiste by public votes will take Rwf15.

If the winner as decided by the judges is the most popular by public votes, the total prize will be Rwf35m.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw