The annual concert dubbed "Bye Bye Vancance”, as a send off students back to school took place at Petit Stade over the weekend.

As an interlude, upcoming artistes curtain-raised the event and enchanted the crowds as comedians left revellers in stitches.

The Managing Director of Talent Detection, Gaston Rurangwa,  said that unlike previous years, the concert featured ‘Talent Detection finals’, whose preliminaries have been ongoing since September last year from district to the national level.

He noted that Talent Detection will extend to all parts of the country to give access to all potential artistes.

Winners were selected in two categories: R&B and Freestyle. In the R&B category, the winners were Dieudonne Ndabizi and Aime Muvunyi, while Olivier Ndayisaba and Sylvére Niyorufatiro won the Freestyle. Olivier Bizimana, scooped in the top prize in both categories.

The winners were awarded certificates and cash prizes worth over Rwf 1million.

"This Talent search has really shown that there are still more talent out there that can be explored and put to good use,” one of the judges, Abdul aziz Harerimana, said.

To improve the local music scene, studios such as F2K Studios have pledged to record songs from over 30 upcoming artistes for free.

Among the performers was 10-year-old Arnold Shema, aka Babou, who was wildly applauded by the crowd. Young Grace, too, proved her worth, before the long-awaited performance from King James who sparked cheers from the revellers with his tracks ‘Ndakwizera’, ‘Amahitamo’ and ‘Buhoro buhoro’.

Just Family was greatly welcomed as they performed ‘Alahebuje’ and ‘Inyange’

Squadra del Sogno Group from Burundi performed the Salsa dance that highly enthralled the crowd.

After awarding the Talent Detection winners, the Dream Boys and J Polly once again lifted the mood through their song "Mumutashye”, before the Tuff Gangs claimed the stage.

Kamichi was next to electrify the youngsters through his tracks "Imitoma”, "Aho Ruzingiye” and "Warambeshye”.

Kitoko, a singer/ songwriter of undoubtedly great ability was the last on the stage as he belted out his catchy acoustic tunes "Turacyakundana” and "Beautiful”.

Sylvie Ingabire, the Events and Promotion Manager, said that the whole event was a success  and motivation not only to the contestants but also to SKOL, which she hopes would continue to support such events.

She further applauded the participants in the ‘Talent Detection’ competition. 

"All in all, the concert was well attended. However, it wasn’t the best because all artistes performed playback, the sound was poor and the power kept on going,” Alex Ngoga, a student of Lycée de Kigali, lamented.

After the concert at the Petit Stade, there was an after party at Pasadena in Gikondo.

The concert was organised by Talent Detection, in partnership with the Ministry of Sports and Culture (MINISPOC), SKOL Beer, Sound Promotion and Creation.

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