The good, bad and ugly at Kamich’s album launch

Kamichi’s album launch was an electrifying affair. But apart from the eclectic moments that sometimes left people on their feet, the show started on a low note.I arrived at the venue, Kigali Serena hotel in time only to discover that the show would not start on time. Sound and light engineers were still working on the stage. And being the earliest bird meant i had to endure some moments of boredom.However as a journalist something caught my attention. I was surprised by the whole set-up. The neatly arranged chairs and well set stage in the hall gave me hope of better things ahead. As my eyes pried around some people started trickling in one by one but others came cam in doubles holding hands. Expensive phones were fished from petite handbags and pockets and everybody, it seemed, had something to do with his or her gadget as they waited for the show to begin.Men came in their denims and sneakers. But ladies will always steal the show. Three or four came in high stilettos, and not dancing shoes, and there was no shortage of mini-skirts and other accessories like different hairstyles. Hugs and kisses were exchanged. One lady stumbled and nearly fell down when she rushed to hug her long lost friend upon spotting her arriving.Finally after a long wait the show kicked off. First on stage was Mani Martin and his Kesho band with a song that paid tribute to fallen freedom icon, Nelson Mandela. Well, people continued trickling in and even after one hour or so, majority of chairs were still unoccupied.However, those who performed put on a show to remember. But I would occasionally sneak out for fresh air and it was on one of my excursion that I met some three beautiful women smoking as if their life depends on the cigarette. And since we are birds of the same feather, we struck a conversation and one of them told me they have come not only for the love of music but also to offer “professional services” to willing clients after the launch. I was not willing; thus I finished our shared interest and dashed back inside.By this time, the rhythm of the music and the beating of the drums had possessed people, and the hitherto docile crowd that only clapped at the end of each song was now dancing frenziedly as they were seized by the serenading, crooning, hypnotizing and vigorous music and dance from the stage.The short were dancing on the ground, the tall were metaphorically reaching the sky as the soul-soothing beats of Rwandan Music captured their hearts. By the end of the show, the once threadbare crowd had swelled into a respectable crowd, making Kamichi album launch one to remember.Other headline artistes included Bruce Melody, Mani Martin, Ama G The Black, Rafiki and Danny Nanone. The show at 8p.m and ended at midnight.The Mudakumirwa album is composed of 10 singles including some of the singer’s popular tracks - Amata abyaye amavuta, Ako kantu, Barandahiye, Sinazuyaza, Nga yamabati, Mudakumirwa, Kutereta, Uyu mwanya and Kutereta.

Leisure

The good, bad and ugly at Kamich’s album launch