After Jidenna’s electrifying performance at the previous edition of Kigali Jazz Junction, in November last year, organisers of the monthly event want to bring back a similar experience on February 28. “We usually begin and end the year in style and give it to the young people so they do not feel out, because jazz shows mostly attract the older generation,” explained Remmy Lubega, CEO of RG Consult that organises the event. The show will come a few weeks after the highly anticipated Valentine’s Day concert dubbed, Kassav’ Live, co-organised by Arthur Nation and RG Consult. For Lubega, Kassav’ Live will mainly be ‘oldish’, with the band giving revellers a taste of their cadence fused with a genre of funk and Makossa, and it is only fair that the young party goers are catered for at the upcoming jazz edition. “We are trying to balance and appeal to the young corporates and Joeboy was the perfect fit, we saw it working for Jidenna and they were excited,” he said. At the moment, early bird tickets are available at Rwf10, 000 (ordinary), Rwf20, 000 (VIP), Rwf25, 000 (VVIP), and a VVIP table of 8 people at Rwf200,000. The Nigerian fast-rising artiste, Joeboy, won the majority vote via Twitter when put on display alongside fellow musicians Innos B from DR Congo and Kenyan-Norwegian rapper Stella Mwangi to grace the February edition. Joeboy’s hit songs like Beginning, Don’t call me back, All for you and Baby are regularly played in local hangouts. Born Joseph Ankifewa Donus, the ‘Baby’ hit maker rose to fame last year, under the tutelage of Mr Eazi, with the release of his single ‘Faaji’. Ever since then, he has had over six hits, landing the ‘Best Artiste Duo or Group in African Pop’ plaque at the 2019 AFRIMA awards. As usual, a number of Rwandan artistes, including Davis D, Niyo Bosco, and the Nep DJs, will curtain-raise the Nigerian star, while Neptunez Band and Makumbi Sound will join forces to give concertgoers a memorable show. The Kigali Jazz Junction is one of the biggest musical events in Kigali, having featured some of Africa’s biggest names like, Congolese star Awilo Longomba, Zimbabwe’s parted icon Oliver Mtukudzi, South African songstress Zahara, and Nigeria’s Johnny Drille.
