It is that time of the year when BAL playoffs come to Kigali with a bunch of side activities that attract world celebrities to the capital of Rwanda. At least three big Rwanda artistes alongside Adekunle Gold have performed during the halftime shows of the BAL playoffs which are underway in Kigali since Friday May 24 and runs until June 1, while Bruce Melodie and Producer Element performed in London, UK over the weekend. The New Times brings you the stories that made headlines in Rwandan showbiz over the past week. Adekunle Gold excites basketball fans in Kigali Nigerian Afro-pop musician Adekunle Gold put up an electric performance at the halftime show of Friday night’s Basketball Africa League (BAL) classification round game between Al Ahly of Egypt and Moroccan side FUS Rabat (Morocco). The Nigerian star, the only international act to perform during the BAL playoffs taking place at BK Arena, is one of many other local artistes including the likes of Juno Kizigenza, Kenny Sol, Bwiza and Inganzo Ngari cultural troupe who graced the halftime shows of the games that took place over the weekend. BAL playoffs will also feature performances by Rwanda’s very own Chris Eazy, Ish Kevin, Kevin Kade, Ariel Wayz, Kivumbi King and The Ben who will perform during the closing ceremony on June 1. Comedian Clapton Kibonge gifts wife car Actor Mugisha Emmanuel, popularly known as Clapton Kibonge, on Saturday, May 25, gifted a car to his wife Jacky Ntambara, during a thanksgiving event that he organized after recovering from lung illness. The renowned comedian and movie actor surprised his wife with a Hyundai Tucson car during an event that took place at Kaso, an entertainment spot located in Kicukiro. Clapton joins The Ben and Bruce Melodie on the list of Rwandan artistes who gifted their wives’ cars publicly. Bruce Melodie, Element perform in London Rwandan musician Bruce Melodie alongside producer Element made their debut London performance on Friday, May 25, during Shady Mixtape Party that also attracted regional artistes including Vinka, John Blaq, Zex Bilangilangi among others. The duo might also meet producer UK-based Rwandan producer Madebeats to finalize Melodies’s upcoming album before returning to Kigali on May 28. It was Element’s first performance outside of Africa ever since he ventured into music business in 2020. Comedian Sam Zuby eyes seat in parliament Renowned actor and comedian Samson Mucyo, widely known as Sam Zuby, surprised many in the showbiz industry when he, on Thursday, May 23, submitted his candidature for the July parliamentary elections where he eyes a seat to represent youth in parliament. Mucyo is the co-founder of Zuby Comedy, a celebrated comedy duo. They joined the comedy scene in 2019 and have since gained many followers on their YouTube, Instagram, and Tik Tok accounts where they share their videos. Mike Kayihura thrills fans in Kampala concert Rwandan artiste Mike Kayihura gave his Kampala-based fans a night to remember when he performed the majority of his hit songs at 'Guvnor night club' over the weekend. Organized by NRG Radio station in partnership with Guvnor, the concert proved yet again that Kayihura is a star to reckon with in Uganda. In a video trending on social media, the Rwandan artiste is seen moving around Kampala in a motorcade before heading to Guvnor for the concert. Songs like ‘Tuza’, ‘Zuba’, ‘6:30’ and many of Mike Kayihura’s tracks kept fans on their feet during the live music concert.
