Icyumba cya Rap concert postponed as downpour hits venue
Friday, December 27, 2024
The Icyumba Cya Rap concert venue at Canal Olympia, Rebero, was hit by heavy downpour, leaving organisers with no option but to postpone the concert-Photo by IGIHE

The "Icyumba Cya Rap” concert, which was scheduled for Friday, December 28, at Canal Olympia, Rebero, has been postponed due to heavy rains.

Although some concert goers had arrived at the venue on the evening of the show, organisers decided to postpone it at around 5:30pm and rescheduled it to January 10, at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (former Camp Kigali) as the rain was showing no signs of stopping.

The Icyumba Cya Rap concert venue at Canal Olympia, Rebero, was hit by heavy downpour, leaving organisers with no option but to postpone the concert-Photo by IGIHE

Tables and chairs for the VIPs were covered by raindrops after the downpour hit the venue, leaving Icyumba cya Rap concert postponed-All photos by Jeannette Kawera

"We regret to inform you that, due to heavy rain that ruined setup and production materials, tonight’s Icyumba cya Rap concert has been postponed to January 10, 2025 at Camp Kigali,” a statement released by concert organisers, Ma Africa Ltd, reads in part.

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The organisers further assured to revelers that the tickets they purchased will remain valid for the rescheduled concert.

Before the concert postponement, everything—from the stage setup and production—were all set while artistes on the performance lineup had already passed by the stage for sound check. But it wasn’t until the rain hit the ground and destroyed some materials while revelers also left the outdoor venue to keep themselves safe.

Some revelers who came early for the show look dejected after Icyumba cya Rap got postponed-Photo by IGIHE
"It is so unfortunate that the show got cancelled considering that we had spared our time for Icyumba cya Rap. If one can't make it on January 10, then it will be so sad from their end,” one reveler, Bella Agatoni told The New Times.

"I understand that it is not the organisers’ fault and it is better to relocate the show to Camp Kigali which is even closer for most of us compared to Canal Olympia,” she added.

Students were among revelers who were eager to attend Icyumba Cya Rap concert whose lineup features 13 rappers representing the old and new generation of the Hip Hop genre.

Its postponement left the students in dilemma, wondering whether they will get a refund for the tickets since they can’t attend the January 10 show which will take place after they return to school.

"Honestly speaking, I am disappointed because I love Hip Hop a lot. My concern is, now that the concert is rescheduled to January 10, 2025, how about us, students who bought the tickets? We will have gone back to school. What will happen?” asked one Rene Ntwali.

Regarding students’ concerns, organisers, speaking to The New Times, promised to find a suitable solution.

Workers on the site dismantle the stage after Icyumba Cya Rap got postponed-Photo by IGIHE