entertainment: King James and Tom Close await final ‘Guma Guma’ ruling

The Primus Guma Guma competition was praised for its two months of free entertainment and perking up Rwandan show business. The sad note was on the crowning gig though, when the grand winner Tom Close was not given chance to thank fans because of stones flying to the podium. Emcee Lion Manzi was forced to beg for mercy from the mad crowds. It was too bad for those who got hurt, but then a good a lesson for BRALIRWA, the sponsors; to think about what was missing in the whole arrangement. Lack of transparency in SMS votingHow would you convince crowds roaring Jay Polly, Jay Polly…... that Tom Close registered more SMS votes, without anyway of proving it? From the opening show when the top ten artists were announced, to the final day when the winner was pronounced, most fans were never contented with mere announcement of who won, without any sort of proof.BRALIRWA should perhaps consider improving transparency in the SMS voting exercise. Who is actually the best?Events like American Idol or even our own “Tusker Project Fame” crowned the best singer because of having the jury on board. “The most popular artist” thing would be ideal if the competition was just about the prize money, and not representing Rwanda anywhere abroad. If the organizers had hired judges like Ian of the TPF popularity, then we would not have boring singers threatening to win. Judges also tip artists on their weak areas, like handling the microphone, matching back vocalists, dressing for a night and stage use. And of course, the fans of Faisal, Mann Martin and Rafiki would not have been heartbroken so fast. Unclear rules of the gameIn its launching fazes, no artist was supposed to host a show that was not in the Guma Guma’s arrangement. Why then did Tom Close launch his Ntibanyurwa album in between? Or, Dream Boys& Urban Boys host shows where entrance was just voting for the either groups. The honest artist was left with no chance of swaying fans for more votes. Runners-up prizeKing James is one of those who notably spent a lot for their stage work and alleged buying of virgin SIM cards to increase their chances of winning. He luckily reached the finals before eventually losing the millions cheque, and going back home empty handed. If BRALIRWA had arranged a prize for him- maybe a million francs; and maybe a local recording contract for the second-runner up, Jay Polly, Tom Close and the organizing crew would not have been stoned that much. Too much warmth of BRALIRWAWhat better would one expect from thousands of holiday makers standing on pebbles that floored the venue? Next year, organizers should consider throwing free parties upcountry on road shows, but make the crowning day a ticket gig or entrance on invitation. Rwanda should keep in mind that this was the first season of the Primus Guma Guma event though. Next year’s will supposedly come out better- good news is that BRALIRWA is still devoted to organizing more and more of them. Ends