As I attend this show, vibing awkwardly or perhaps unpretentiously, I am reminded of a fundamental question: Why do I love hip-hop this much?

Is it because of its lyrical nature that has resonated with me since my teenage years? Is it the old-school vibes—the baggy pants, oversized shirts, and boots? Or is it the influence of my former neighbour, nicknamed Le Monde, who played this genre so often that I ended up memorising countless rap songs? Or maybe it’s this—the show.

I’m not sure. Not yet.

"This is not the time for that.” A thought hovers at the top of my mind. It’s January 10, and I’m at Icyumba cya Rap, a hip hop show I’ve been waiting for—for a while.

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I toss a few popcorns into my mouth and move around, vibing under the energy of rap music and the crowd of people dancing. I bump into a friend I haven’t seen in a while, and after a quick, playful push greeting, he says, "But bro, I didn’t expect you to be here. You don’t look like a hip-hop person.”

"I guess so,” I reply, shrugging.

"I thought this is just for us—the gangs, bro,” he adds with a laugh. "It’s not for corporate people like you.”

I chuckle, the popcorn in my mouth dancing against my teeth, but his words make me wonder: is hip hop still perceived through this narrow lens, judged by appearances and stereotypes? He’s clearly enjoying himself, though. And so I chuckle again.

He’s the third person tonight to say something like this to me, and oddly, it feels cool. I hate being predictable, after all. Little do they know, I’ve been vibing to hip hop since 2008, albeit quietly. Old school or new school, I’m drawn to it all.

It’s party o’clock. MC Tino takes the stage, and the lights start to dance above our heads. Cheers erupt here, shouts echo there, and DJ Ira’s music ties it all together in perfect harmony. Most of us are standing, swaying, or bouncing to the beat, and every face mirrors joy—or maybe curiosity.

Then Logan Joe, one of the best rising rappers, is called to the stage. The crowd erupts into deafening hollers, a high-pitched wave of excitement sweeping through the room.

Dressed in all black, he storms the stage, spitting bar after bar, his flow electrifying. The audience jumps, moving in sync with his trap beats. His energy leaves everyone flabbergasted and craving more. I find myself nodding in agreement, "This guy is phenomenal.”

The Kigali Cultural and Exhibition Village tent is packed to the rafters. Icyumba cya Rap promised me a lineup of my favourite Rwandan rappers all on one stage. The performers are making me forget the disappointment of December 27, 2024, when the same show was postponed due to heavy rainfall.

I weave my way around the VIP area, letting the cool moves of the crowd guide me. Old school hip hop thumps against my temples. There’s something magical about hearing rap through bass-heavy speakers in a room full of people. It’s far better than listening alone with my earphones.

When Zeo Trap takes the stage, he drops tracks I’ve loved in 2024, including "Kristu Yezu” and "Mugo.” His team’s energy is unmatched. They set the stage ablaze and pull the audience into their rhythm. The crowd moves in perfect tandem, feeding off the fire they bring.

This is what I came for—the raw energy, the shared love for the music, and the unapologetic celebration of hip hop. Performances by rappers like B-Threy, Bushali, Ish Kevin, Danny Nanone, returning K8 Kavuyo, Jay C and Riderman are a testament to this.

It’s almost 1:30 PM, and my tired legs urge me to rest, but my mind tells me to wait for my all-time favourites: Tuff Gangs—Green P, Fireman, Bull Dogg, and P Fla.

To me, their songs never age; they always feel fresh every time I listen. They speak to the realities of society even today. Their meaningful and relatable lyrics, combined with smooth rhythms, make their music timeless.

When Fireman and Green P finally step onto the stage, I cheer, anticipating the highlight of my night—only to be disappointed as they announce a timing issue. They apologise and promise to organise their own show in the future, but it’s clear this was a result of poor time management.

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Frustrated, I leave the hall, not as happy as I’d hoped to be.

But I move on.

I am convinced that the most mesmerising moment came earlier from the Nyundo Music School students, who delivered a heartfelt tribute to Jay Polly by performing his hits. It was a fitting homage to one of the founding fathers of hip hop in Rwanda—my all-time favourite as well.

When I reflect on why I love hip-hop so much, my answer is simple: it resonates with me deeply. Much like poetry, it feels like the truest expression of life through music, with every rhythm serving as a reminder to live in the moment.

Even though I don’t always agree with the actions or beliefs of some rappers, my love for hip-hop remains steadfast. It’s a constant presence on my playlist, always refreshing my spirit.

Here’s to many more local hip-hop shows—hopefully with better outcomes.