Guma-Guma finale: Who will hit the jackpot ?

It seems like just yesterday when Jay Polly was jumping with excitement after bagging Rwf24m in the annual Primus Guma Guma Super Star season 4 competition. PGGSS returned for its fifth season this year, with many changes, ranging from introducing judges on all shows and having semi-live shows to replace play-back sessions. After five months and15 roadshows around the country, all roads will tomorrow lead to Stade Amahoro for the final event. This week Society Magazine looks at the possible final line-up of PGGSS 5 winners in accordance with the judges’ criteria of popularity (50%), performance (30%), stage appearance (10%) and discipline (10%). Rafiki: He was a household name in the mid-2000s as one of the pioneers of mainstream music as well as introducing “Coga style” music. He was not among the original 15 musicians to compete at the first elimination show for PGGSS 5 but luck was on his side when Urban Boyz withdrew and he took their spot. Throughout the roadshows, he has had to rely on his old tracks while fusing them with new tracks to earn his stripes. Although he has made a strong comeback, he has a long a way to go. 56% Rafiki. Rafiki’s popularity had gone down since he left the music scene years back. However during the roadshows, his popularity increased but he wasn’t well known by the masses and that earns him 30%, His performance earns him 10% while his appearance which was appropriate for his genre earns him 8% and discipline at 8%. TNP: The group that is made up of two guys, Tracy and Paccy earned their ticket after Urban Boyz quit the competition. They were called up together with Rafiki, who they had tied with at the 16th position. As fate would have it, they made it through the first elimination show and although they have tried to shake off a poor start, there run might not earn them the required percentage to see them in the top five. TNP. They score 28%. Their popularity is left at 10%, while their performance which was largely carried by Paccy goes for 5 % while their stage appearance goes for 5% while discipline is at 8%. Senderi International Hit: For the third year in a row, Senderi is among the PGGSS contestants and for a man who is widely known for his antics on stage and bizarre dress code (stage appearance), it’s hard not to see him in the top five. His popularity has soared but it will be his performance that he’ll have to strongly improve if he’s to appear in the top five. Apart from his antics that people are now used to, he might need a miracle to pull off a surprise win. Senderi International Hit. As of now, he might have to settle for 73%. His popularity is at 35%, his performances were catchy together with his wild dancers and that gets him 25 % while the stage presence scores a moderate 5% and discipline is at 8%. Oda Paccy: It was a shocker when Paccy pulled it off during the first elimination show by beating off stiff competition from Jody, Queen Cha and last year’s contestant Young Grace. Oda Paccy. Following the release of her hit singles Umusirimu, Love ya Weekend and Rendez Vous among others, Paccy was nevertheless not the crowd’s favourite in regard to the judges’ criteria. Her popularity was at an all-time low prior to joining PGGSS 5. She earned a 38% rating. For a Hip-Hop artiste, her popularity is growing at 15 %, her vocals are still wanting which brings her performance at 10 % while stage appearance at 5 % and discipline is at 8%. Jules Sentore: A lot has improved about the Gakondo musician’s performances. His genre continues to grow and it is slowly but surely becoming popular with fans. Having finished at number seven last year, Sentore came back with a bang having gone through the elimination show without a hitch. Jules Sentore. According to entertainment industry analysts, his stage performance has improved and his popularity is on the rise. He stands a good chance to snatch an impressive 81%. With a fan-base that is growing his popularity is a healthy 40 % and better vocal abilities which score 25%, his appearance were also exceptional earning him 8% as well as his discipline. Knowless: Widely considered Rwanda’s best modern female musician, she is also considered the favourite to win this year’s contest. After missing out on the previous contests and quitting the competition last year, she came back for this year’s competition with a lot of energy and there’s no doubt that she might walk away with it. Knowless. Knowless stands a big chance because of her massive popularity, good stage appearance, discipline and an improved performance. It will be a tight race between her and Bruce Melody and the fact that the competition has not registered a female winner since it began places her in a favourable position if the gender card is applied. We give her 94%. Her popularity was unrivaled at 48 %, while her performance was at a handsome at 28 %. Discipline and appearance stand at 9%. Bulldogg: This hip-hop artiste has participated in three of the five competitions and so far, he has proved that he has the ability to give most artistes a run for their money. Bulldogg, who is a member of Tuff Gangz where previous winner Jay Polly belongs has built his fan-base on the group’s popularity. Bulldogg. As it happens, he is the only male hip-hop artiste in the competition and if he can build on the popularity he has garnered in these past few months, he could walk away with the money. As it stands, I see Bulldog garnering 76%. His popularity is at 40%, his performance is at an impressive 20%, whereas his discipline and appearance score 8%. Dream Boys: They are competing for the fifth consecutive time after coming close last year. The duo of TMC and Platini has seen their career grow each year and they have never disappointed their fans. However, the group is yet to taste considerable success in PGGSS competitions. Last year, they came in second position behind Jay Polly but this year might turn out to be different but I still wouldn’t be surprised if they slipped further into third place. I see them getting 86%. Their popularity is at 45 %, their “lingala” inspired performances earned them 25%, there appearance and discipline was impressive at 8% each. Bruce Melody: He reminds most people of Jay Polly’s journey last year. The moment he steps on the stage, he holds the microphone, sings one line, poses and revels in the satisfaction of watching the crowd as they jump up and down till the whole place is engulfed in dust. That’s the power the Rn’B crooner possesses when it comes to PGGSS 5. Last year, he shocked many when he made it to the third position and this year, he has proved that he belongs to the top league. Bruce Melody. Realistically, we give him 96%. His stage performance is at 29 % which sent his popularity through the roof at 49%, His appearance and discipline stand at 9% each. It’s no doubt that it’ll be a tight competition between Melody and Knowless but he still holds a slight edge over her. Active: After making their debut last year in the competition and pretty much on the music scene, the boys, Derek, Tizzo and Olvis have continued to wow crowds with their synchronized dance routines and the ability to combine them with excellent vocal cords. Active. They get a decent position with 82%. The creativity in their dance routines hasn’t been marched by any group and scores at 29% their popularity is at 35%. Their appearance and discipline score a healthy 9%. editorial@newtimes.co.rw *************************************** YOUR VOICE: Who do you think will win? Mike Karangwa (Radio & TV personality) Mike Karangwa I can’t really pinpoint one artiste because the prize is likely in the hands of three musicians. I would say it’s between Knowless, Bruce Melody and Dream Boys. When it comes to Knowless and Dream Boys, they both have a big fan base and they have experience in this competition. However, Bruce melody has improved immensely with his stage performances and his vocals are really strong. So, I can only say that the prize is between the three of them but there might be surprises. Gentil Gedeon (Entertainment journalist) Gentil Gedeon I have been following this year’s edition of PGGSS and I’ve noticed that Knowless has a big fan base that might tilt the results in her favour. Popularity accounts for 50 percent which Knowless definitely has. Otherwise, there’s nothing new about her performances that we have never seen before but she has support from journalists, majority of the youth, elders and women who want a lady to win this year’s competition. Aisha Uwimana, aka Ciney (Musician and journalist) Aisha Uwimana. I haven’t closely followed this year’s competition but from what I’ve read, heard and seen on social media platforms and from friends, I think Knowless will win and she really deserves it. To add to this, I think she’s a good performer, she’s experienced enough, she has good songs and lastly I think it’s time we had a female winner. Phil Peter (Radio personality) Phil Peter I have closely followed PGGSS5 and as days went by, all the 10 artistes somehow found themselves in three categories. The favourites, the average and the least likely to win. The favourites include Bruce Melody, Knowless and Dream Boys. They performed well which is difficult to predict who is likely to win. However, there might be a surprise in the top three because Jules Sentore performed well and considering what the judges consider, he might be a big surprise. Luckman Nzeyimana, aka Lucky (TV Personality) Luckman Nzeyimana. Considering what I noticed at the roadshows, the prize is between Knowless, Bruce Melody and Bulldog because their performances were flawless and you could see that they commanded a strong fan base but I can’t be precise because the judges’ decision will be the most important thing. Compiled by Dean Karemera

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Guma-Guma finale: Who will hit the jackpot ?