FOR THE FIRST TIME since its inception,  organisers of the Kiss Summer Awards are this year shifting the award giving gala from from the radio station to a bigger venue for the public to celebrate the prizes with their favorite artists.

The annual event, which is in its fourth edition, is an initiative by Kiss FM, a local entertainment radio station that recognises the best music artists and honor those who have been instrumental in changing Rwanda’s music space throughout the summer period.

The awards have over the past three years been given out to artists in a live show from the radio station premises but, as the event continues to grow, organisers are for the first time going to recognise the best of the nominees in an award giving gala slated for Saturday, October 23, at Kigali Arena.

The Kiss Summer Awards have since 2018 been recognising the best songs, the best performing artists and producers, as well as acknowledging the accomplishments of individuals who were instrumental in advocating for the music industry.

Jesse Maxella, one of the organisers of the awards, expressed his excitement for the quick rise of the awards and revealed that they are looking to increasing the awards categories in the next edition to ensure more individuals in the music industry are recognised.

"The journey has been exciting. The awards have been a baby and have over the past editions been broadcast on radio and now we are having a breakthrough of involving the audience,” Maxella told the press in a media briefing held on Tuesday, October 19.

"We are looking at how, with the help of our sponsors, we can grow the awards. We already see the need because there is not too much talent recognition and the sky cannot be the limit,” he added.  

From setting the stage to preparing the red carpet for celebrities and their supporters, everything is almost set according to organisers.

Nominees will be recognized in seven categories namely; ‘Best New Summer Artist’, which is the only category with newcomers, ‘Best Summer Artist’, ‘Best Summer Producer’ and ‘Best Summer Song’.

The nominees’ chances of winning this year’s awards are in the hands of the public (at 40 per cent), through ongoing online voting via https://kissfm.rw/the-kiss-summer-awards/, while the remaining 60 per cent is reserved to the jury to judge who wins what.

A special award dubbed ‘Life Achievement Award’ will also be given to an individual who played a significant contribution to the development of Rwanda’s music industry over the years. The award will not require the votes.

The event will be open to the public and only people who will present the covid-19 negative test results will be allowed to attend them.

Tickets for the event are available via https://www.ticqet.rw at Rwf 10 000, Rwf 20 000 and Rwf 30 000 for regular, VIP and VVIP areas with covid-19 fees inclusive.

The lineup of the performers expected to grace the event has been kept a secret until the show time but artistes who are competing for the ‘Summer Song of the Year’ were confirmed among the headliners.

They include "Phil Peter, Social Mula, Ariel Wayz, Juno Kizigenza, Gabiro the Guitar, Confy and Bruce Melodie.”