Rwanda’s Afrobeat singer Platini, also known as Baba, is gearing up for a musical celebration at his debut concert dubbed ‘Baba Experience’. The singer is set to bring out a two-hour live performance on March 30, at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village.

The concert is expected to feature some of the biggest artistes in the region including Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo, Burundian Big Fizzo and Rwanda’s Riderman, Butera Knowless, Nel Ngabo, Kenny Sol and Urban Boyz.

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In an exclusive interview with The New Times, Platini explained more about his music journey highlighting the challenges and success since he embarked on a solo music career. The singer revealed what the concert means to him and the journey that led to the celebration three years later.

How do you describe your solo career so far?

For the past three years that I am about to celebrate at my concert, I started with little doubt, however it has been an interesting experience and I am enjoying the journey.

What were the best highlights so far?

Touring around Africa, Canada and the USA has honestly been the best highlight during these three years. I had an amazing time during a big show where I performed in Sierra Leone at a stadium of like 30,000 people, and touring around those other two big countries was one of the best moments I had.

What did you learn as a solo artist that you didn’t know while in the group?

When you are a group, you have to consult each other about everything that you want to do regarding your music but this time it’s just me, the consequences that come after, either positive or negative, will be on me. Starting a solo career I learned that however much you fall you can still stand up because I had to make a fresh start and restructure.

What challenges have you faced in the last three years?

I was afraid because it is not easy to rebrand yourself, I spent days thinking about how I will show myself again to the audience and what was next because I didn’t want to give fans the same style we used to in the group. I had to change a lot not just my music style, I also changed my fashion style to rebrand myself.

How did you overcome the challenges and made hits right after starting your solo career?

I knew that I had to do what is best for me and hoped for fans to love it because I believed in it. The music style had changed so I had to make changes too and focus on new rhythm, catching up with Afro beats.

Why do you want to host your debut solo concert and why now?

I have been invited to perform at different shows for like just 30 minutes and did it their way but this time around I want to do me. I want to show how a Rwandan musician can and should perform. It is a great opportunity to show people what the three years mean to me and what I learned.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Just like every Rwandan artist’s dream, I hope and will only be satisfied after I bring a big prize home and raise our flag higher. I know I have the capacity and people behind my back, so I can definitely win big and put the flag up there.

The concert will take place at Camp Kigali on March 30, and tickets will cost Rwf5, 000 for regular seating, Rwf10, 000 for VIP seating and Rwf200, 000 for a VVIP table. Tickets are available at www.baba.rw or *727*50*2*28#.