The forthcoming ‘Rwanda Gospel Stars Live’ could finally, give local gospel artists a financial boost who have been gravely affected by the pandemic.

The concept, which runs between May and August, is expected to attract a host of gospel artists of all age groups to not only empower them financially but to also promote and support the gospel music industry to the vast audience of the creative industry in general.

According to organisers, the concept will give gospel musicians a platform to connect with their music supporters through live performances after months of not entertaining gospel music enthusiasts as well as use it as an opportunity to raise funds to financially empower participating artists.

"It’s so sad that an artist who has been entertaining people at concerts has to struggle because of this pandemic. We are all aware that there is far less investment in Gospel than secular musicians,” said Mike Karangwa, the project coordinator of Rwanda Gospel Stars Live.

 "With this new concept, we want to see gospel music changing the lives of our artistes as well as inspire the young generation that they can thrive in this kind of music,” Karangwa added.

 A number of activities related to gospel music are expected to shape the inaugural Rwanda Gospel Stars Live, varying from live performances, a ‘vote and support’ section, training sessions on music entrepreneurship and music business as well as cash prizes for the artists with the best music-related projects. 

"It’s not a competition, but a platform to support our artistes doing gospel music so it can change their lives. For us, this is a life-changing platform with music shows that can finally link gospel musicians and their supporters to keep them connected through entertainment” said Samuel Nyandwi, the Managing Director of Matts Rwanda services, the company organising the event.

Nyandwi added that the concept is there to stay, with a target to expand it from a national level to a regional level and even make it continental.

Organisers of the event are currently doing awareness about the event among different gospel musicians before they announce the top ten that will take part in the first edition of the event that kicks off in the first week of June.

The 10 artistes will be selected based on the experience they have in music, how active they have been, have at least two albums or at least a music video that has no less than one million views on YouTube.

They will be selected by a team of journalists, gospel musicians’ association, and music pioneers closely following the gospel music industry.

They be joined by five most performing up-and-coming artists who will also be selected to do curtain-raising performances during the live shows which start by the beginning of July.

The shows will be broadcast live on KC2, an entertainment TV channel courtesy of Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, whereby a lineup of two top gospel artists, and one upcoming artist will be performing every Saturday.

During the whole campaign, participating artists will be given numbers to which supporters can use to send their support through what is dubbed ‘vote and support’ system.

With the system, Karangwa said they are looking forward to raising funds to support artists.

People will be able to support their favorite artists with the ‘vote and support’ process by dialing *544# and follow prompts and every artist will be getting a report about the support from the ‘vote and support’ system on their emails on a regular basis.

"Like secular artistes, gospel artists also want to see their music make an impact on their lives, spiritually and financially. That’s why they need our support. The music they do cost them money and their lives rely on none but what they get from music,” said Assoumpta Muganwa, the Vice President of Rwanda Gospel Music Union.

Supporters will be able to support their favourite artistes with any amount not less than Rwf200.

After the month-long performances, artists will undergo a one-week boot camp to get training sessions on music entrepreneurship and music business. With the training package, artists will pitch and present project proposals that can make an impact on the development of Rwanda’s gospel music industry.

The top three projects will get funding during the finals slated for August 29.