The annual youth hip hop and Break dance competition, Ejo Heza is back. In its third year running, this year’s event is slated for Saturday June 16, at the Rafiki Club in Nyamirambo.

The event is organised by Abatanguha, a local hip hop and break-dance group that was created through a merger of two local hip hop dance crews; the Krest Crew, and Kigali B-Boys.

The competition has drawn dancers and dance crews from Rwanda, Uganda, the DRC, and Kenya.

Some of the local dance companies that will participate in the gala include; The Finest Dance Crew, The Marines, Wasafi Crew, Wedem Boys, and The True Heroes.

The competition will be organized under three categories; Hip hop (2 on 2), B-Boy (1 on 1), and B-Boy (7 to Smoke). 

The first edition of Ejo Heza dance competition took place in June 2015. It featured dancers competing in various dance categories including; African dance, popping, and B-Boy.

"Ejo Heza aims at celebrating Hip hop with the local communities, and highlighting the critical role that dance plays in nurturing the youth,” explained Alex Heskey from Abatanguha Crew, the organizers.

The dance battles will be preceded by free music workshops for both adults and children.

"There will be small prizes for the dancers, who will be performing in terms of dance battles, and showcasing of different dance communities around the country,” revealed Shema Lebron Isaac, who will be taking part in two Hip hop battles as part of the Krest Crew.