Rwandan culture was well celebrated through a blend of traditional music and dance as culture musician Ibrahim Cyusa delivered a mesmeric performance during Saturday night’s Migabo live concert held at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village.
The concert, which attracted revelers from various generations, served as a special occasion during which Cyusa heaped praise on RPF-Inkotanyi and president Paul Kagame who has lifted the country from the dark to light.
Concert goers were in for a special treat from talented musicians like Chris Neat, Mariya Yohana, Ruti Joel and cultural troupe Inganzo Ngari, which raised Cyusa before he launched a solo career half a decade ago.
All these acts lived to the hype of an excited audience which enjoyed a night of culture celebration to the maximum.
The show also attracted public figures in different sectors. Notable attendees included music icons Muyango and Masamba Intore, actor Ramadhan Benimana alias Bamenya, poet Junior Rumaga, renowned music manager Alex Muyoboke and Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) spokesperson Dr Thierry Murangira to mention a few.
The event kicked off around 8:15pm with female producer turned singer Chris Neat hitting the stage first. She started off with a small play of two young people who had feuds and then came performing ‘Urukundo,’ one of popular songs by the late Cyprien Rugamba, as a way of uniting them together.
She also sang ‘Rungano’ which the audience sang along, lyric after lyric to her melodious voice before making way for celebrated musician Mariya Yohana.
Clad in red traditional attire (Umushanana), the Mariya Yohana was welcomed on stage with so much enthusiasm and love. She did not waste time as she delivered a touching performance that sparked enthusiasm among visibly excited revelers who sang along every song that she was performing before taking a pose in between to thank everyone who came through to support her fellow singer Cyusa.
Things took a turn when she gave an acapella of her ‘all-time’ smash ‘Itsinzi’ which left the audience busted into joy as they sang and danced with her.
Next up on stage was Ruti Joel aka Rumata, one of Rwanda’s most promising artists.
Accompanied with his guitarist on stage, Ruti performed some a couple of songs on his current album ‘Musomandera’ like ‘Cunda’, ‘Amariza’ and ‘Nyambo’ and some iconic songs of Muyango, Mariya yohana and Masamba which changed the atmosphere inside the Camp Kigali tent.
He couldn’t leave the stage without paying tribute to his late great friend Yvan Buravan as he sang an acapella of one of his songs ‘Lowkey.’
And the concert was just beginning when Cyusa hit the stage as he looked set to own the night of culture celebration which was dominated by massive appreciation to RPF-Inkotanyi and its flag bearer, president Paul Kagame.
Accompanied by Inganzo Ngari dancers, Cyusa made an outstanding appearance when he sang ‘Migabo,’ the song which was named after his concert.
The singer and his dancers headline a stunning and catching performance of his songs and those of other artists. One of his best highlights of the night was the time he performed ‘Imenagitero’ which had a touching play demonstrated by his dancers.
Cyusa left Inganzo Ngari on stage to prepare for the second round of his performance.
The culture troupe left a mark thanks to its dancers’ energy and artistic dances before going to back stage to change their outfits.
"It is now time to dance,” said Cyusa shortly after returning to stage for what was his final round of his performance.
His words instilled the crowd with a frenzy mood that made them stand up to celebrate Rwandan culture through his music.
‘Marebe’ and ‘Imparamba’ among were among the songs that made revelers leave their seats to join Cyusa to the dance party. The audience did not hide their excitement and emotions towards the songs which they dance along with so much energy.
It was a night to remember for the singer who took time to thank his family, especially his mother, grandmother and aunts who played a big role to who he is today.
The concert ended 11:55pm.