Though the grand awarding night of the 7th edition of Salax Awards came later than expected, the best performing artistes were eventually recognised after three years of waiting.
The awarding night kicked off too late, as artistes and the audience had to wait for about four hours, before the event could begin. Some even speculated that the ceremony could have been postponed.
The event that was supposed to kick off at 6pm at Kigali Serena Hotel started at 10:30pm and was only attended by the patient ones.
Bruce Melodie (right) receives his award.
"The ceremony did not go according to plan because we had issues with timely payments for the team who brought the sound system because they were not willing to let us pay them later. We were expecting sponsors to give us money on time but it did not happen,” said Isiaq Mulemba, the Salax awards media coordinator.
"We had to run and get the cash and it is not easy for one to get Rwf1, 000, 000 instantly and this led to the delay. We apologise for not respecting time and we promise to do better in the next editions,” he added.
Active won Best Group.
The winners were those, whose music made a difference in each of the categories in the past three years since the awards were last given in 2016.
Queen Cha thanks all her fans after winning Best Female Artiste at the Salax Awards.
Prix Decouvertes winner, Yvan Buravan, who returned from his African music tour last week, dominated the nominations but Bruce Melodie stood out as he garnered most prizes at the awards.
Israel Mbonyi (left) emerged Best Gospel Artiste.
The singer, who recently performed in Belgium and France, bagged three awards, as the Best R&B Artiste, Best Male Artiste, and the overall Artiste of the Year, an honour given to an artiste with majority of the awards for categories.
"I started my music from zero and I am now winning awards. I want to pay back by supporting young artistes in a way or another so they can reach where I belong or do better than me. I dedicate all these awards to my fans and my family,” said Bruce Melodie.
Singer Mico The Best (right) walked away empty handed.
The winner from each category was given a trophy and a cheque of Rwf700 000, while the overall Artiste of the Year was given Rwf1000, 000.
Full list of winners
Best Female Artiste - Queen Cha
Best Gospel Artiste - Israel Mbonyi
Best Upcoming Artiste - Buravan
Best Cultural and Traditional Artiste - Mani Martin
Best Group - Active
Best R&B Artiste - Bruce Melodie
Best Afro Beat Artiste - Uncle Austin
Best Hip Hop Artiste - Riderman
Best Male Artiste - Bruce Melodie
Best Artiste (overall) - Bruce Melodie.