When chatting with a fellow rap enthusiast, they mentioned something intriguing—that rap might be cursed in Rwanda. While I’m not one for superstition, I couldn’t ignore the timing of their comment. The first attempt at this show was washed out by heavy rains that wrecked preparations at the outdoor venue at Canal Olympia, Rebero on December 28.

But did the so-called curse linger? Fast forward to Friday night, January 10, and the scene at Icyumba Cya Rap suggested otherwise. Kigalians and visitors turned out in droves, packing the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV) like I hadn’t seen in ages for a hip-hop event.

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If you’ve been to KCEV, you’d know the staircase leading to the entry point is spacious, yet it was jam-packed with lines, and that was just for the VIP and VVIP sections. The regular entrance? Pure chaos, in the best way.

Inside, the venue was so crowded that some attendees opted to sit outside in the seats of the former Camp Kigali mini-stadium. You’d think this level of turnout would translate into smooth, well-orchestrated performances, but that wasn’t the case.

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Acts were shuffled, with some performers missing their time slots altogether, while unexpected faces took the stage instead.

Jules Igabe, one frustrated attendee, shared his thoughts with The New Times "The MCs kept wasting time bringing random people on stage. I came here for Tuff Gang, man. I saw them, sure, but not a single performance.”

Igabe’s frustration echoed among many others in the crowd. However, according to the organisers, the event was cut short due to Kigali’s regulations on event curfews—leaving them with little room to maneuver.

The night’s performers delivered memorable sets that kept the energy high at Icyumba cya Rap. Sky 2, K8 Kavuyo, Diplomate, Riderman, Jay C, Danny Nanone, Bushali, B Threy, Ish Kevin, Zeo Trap, and Logan Joe all brought their A-game.

However, to the disappointment of many fans, the Tuff Gang trio—P Fla, Green P, and Fireman—did not perform.

Obviously, none, including organisers, would wish to see the concert end like it did. Hopefully, everyone concerned learned a lesson.

Major highlights

Sky 2 wrapped up his performance with an unexpected yet heartwarming moment. After relentless chants from the crowd questioning if his wife was real or just an online myth, he brought her on stage, silencing any doubters in a conclusion to his set.

MC Tino, a seasoned host known for commanding big events, kept the energy flowing as he hyped the crowd between performances. During breaks, DJ Ira curated a playlist of Billboard hits, spinning classics from Kanye West, Jay-Z, and more—tracks rarely heard in Kigali’s club scene, much to the delight of the audience.

Malaika, host of the UpTrend Podcast and a prominent advocate for Rwandan rap, made an appearance on stage. She received a shoutout for her contributions to the genre’s growth and predicted an even brighter future, declaring, "The trajectory is only up from here.”

One of the night’s most emotional moments came courtesy of a live band from Nyundo Music School, paying tribute to the late Jay Polly. Widely regarded as Rwanda’s greatest rapper, his repertoire came alive with renditions of classics like Akanyarirajisho, Deux Fois Deux, Ku Musenyi, and Nyirizina. The crowd sang along, honoring his legacy with palpable passion.

B Threy, joined by Kinyatrap pioneer Bushali, took the stage for a powerhouse performance of the anthem Kinyatrap. They later called on Slum Drip to perform their breakout track Nituebue together—a song that gave them a platform and has amassed nearly one million views on YouTube. The audience erupted, singing every word in a moment that highlighted the impact of their music.

Bushali continued the momentum with solo performances of his hits, including Ku Gasima, Niyibizi, and Kurura—a fan favorite featuring Juno Kizigenza.

Adding to the buzz, he welcomed rising star Diez Dola to the stage. Diez, sporting a signature bag, performed his viral hit Zangalewa. Despite leaving early due to time constraints, his brief appearance left an impression.

Throughout the night, Bushali’s wife cheered him on from the sidelines, a touching gesture that didn’t go unnoticed by fans. Once again, these artists proved they are leading a new wave of Rwandan hip-hop, one that continues to reshape and elevate the genre.

The strictly hip-hop show attracted a star-studded audience, with notable names from Rwanda’s music scene coming out in support. Among them were celebrity stylist Fred Lyon, Kevin Kade, The Ben, veteran music pioneer Mighty Popo and Alex Muyoboke—renowned for mentoring numerous Rwandan artists among others.

The mood among the artistes and other attendees was celebratory. Smiles and camaraderie filled the venue, as this was one of the rare rapper-only concerts to achieve such an impressive turnout.

Anita Pendo took a moment to express her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the show’s success. She singled out The Ben for his behind-the-scenes support of rappers, particularly in songwriting. "Help me thank him very much,” she urged the audience.

One of the night’s most anticipated acts was Diplomate, a rare artist to catch live on stage. A pioneer of Rwandan hip-hop, Diplomate performed in a semi-live format, opening with Indebakure, a collaboration with singer Favor.

His set list included iconic tracks like Fasasi Wa Mbere, Umucakara w’ibihe with Young Junior, Karibu Sana with The Ben, and Umwe Bavuze featuring Bruce Melodie, among others.

Diplomate also used his platform to recognize those working to elevate the hip-hop movement, while expressing gratitude for the country’s stability.

"This is an ongoing movement to promote hip-hop. Thanks to everyone involved. I also thank the Government of Rwanda for maintaining the safety of Rwandans,” he said.

Another standout performance came from Zeo Trap, one of Rwanda’s rising drill stars. The audience showed him plenty of love as he launched into Ibisimba Byaje, with his crew, Kavu Music, amplifying his stage presence through high-energy choreography. Their synchronized moves added an electric vibe to his performance.

Zeo’s growing popularity has been fueled by hits like My Gee and Apana, his collaboration with QD which has become a favorite in Kigali.

Another standout act was K8 Kavuyo who made a late announcement that he would perform at the concert a week after his surprise performance at The Ben’s New Year Groove concert at BK Arena on January 1.

Unlike his previous performance during which he could barely remember the lyrics of his songs, the rapper came back prepared. He couldn’t afford to disappoint his fans again and he proved it with energy when he performed hit tracks like Hood Inyumve, Ndaguprefera and Alhamdulillah among others.

The show was an undeniable success, at least in terms of the performances, which were delivered across the board. Now, all eyes are on Tuff Gangs to fulfill their promise of a homecoming show that could reignite their legacy. As we look ahead, one question lingers: what surprises does 2025 hold for Rwandan hip-hop?