2008: Etched on everyone’s mind

2008 has seen significant improvement in Rwanda’s entertainment scene. We highlight key events throughout 2008: The Rwandatel’s launch The launch of Rwandatel’s 3G and GSM mobile services technology was historic one indeed. Thousands of people were in anticipation of this extraordinary concert dubbed ‘Turi Kumwe’. The crowd of at least 25,000 Kigali revelers were thrilled by top singers: Rwanda’s Rafiki, Miss JoJo, who song along Uganda’s Bebe Cool, Burundi’s Kenya based artiste Kidumu, Congolese King of Rumba Kofi Olomide, and the top most renowned Jamaican Dancehall superstar Sean Paul. The venue, Amahoro stadium was packed to the brim during the 6-hour music extravaganza. Uganda’s reggae star, Bebe Cool drove the crowd wild as his fans could sing along to his tunes like “Kus Kus”, and “Omunene”. But then, the crowd went uncontrollable when the “Fire Burn dem” star stripped off his shirt to reveal his chest. The Congolese Koffi Olomide aka “Mopao Mokozi” also thrilled his fans to high heavens. The long awaited moment came when the Jamaica dancehall star Sean Paul took to the stage donning the Rwandan flag. His beats and music could not leave even the honourables glued on to their seats. MTN’s 10th Anniversary was just the bomb On December 13th 2008, Dancehall icon Shaggy took to the stage for the first time in Rwanda to mark the 10-year anniversary of telcoms provider MTN. Shaggy played out a fully sold out gig which attracted hordes of fans across Rwanda’s social strata. He proved that he was the master of the stage when he performed most of his popular tracks such as “Mr. Boombastic”, “It Wasn’t Me”, “Bona Fide Girl”, “Hope and Repent”. One of the highlights of his live performance was staging of “Would You Be”, performed with Toni Gold, one half of the reggae act Brian & Toni Gold. Finally at 12:30, Shaggy ended the show with an extremely well received tribute to Bob Marley, by playing out his classics “Iron, Lion, Zion”, and “Stand Up For Your Rights”, sending his fans wildly urging him to play once more. Ends

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2008: Etched on everyone’s mind