Renowned cultural musician Masamba Intore has confirmed he will stage concert on August 31 during which he will celebrate his 40th anniversary in the music journey. The much-anticipated concert will take place at BK Arena. The concert will not only honor Massamba Intore’s acclaimed music career. It will also give culture music enthusiasts the ‘true’ picture of Gakondo music. Massamba Intore’s music has played a significant role in reminding Rwandans of their cultural heritage and the power of unity,” Kevin Ngabo, the brains behind the concert, told The New Times. “This concert will take Massamba’s fascinating music journey and his life as a person, from his childhood to the illustrious present, all in a powerful one-and-a-half-hour stage performance.” The concert, he said, will feature a stellar but inclusive lineup of Rwanda’s new generation of artists, spanning Gakondo and modern music, symbolizing the unity and diversity of Rwandan culture. ALSO READ: Why ‘Gakondo’ might be the future of Rwandan music About Masamba Intore Massamba was born in Bujumbura, Burundi, to a family of musicians. His father, Athanase Sentore, named him ‘Masamba’ inspired by a Congolese politician known for his revolutionary ideas of freedom and liberty. The 56-year-old, singer-songwriter, zitherist and dancer, grew up alongside a generation of high-profile musicians like Jean Marie Muyango and late Kamariza among others. This made him develop a keen ear for music and rhythm at a tender age. ‘Kanjogera’, ‘Ikizungerezi’, ‘Araje’, ‘Uwanyoye Inka’, ‘Ibimbabaza’,’Mpinganzima’ are some of iconic songs that helped him cement a name in the Gakondo music industry. His music played a pivotal role in boosting morale for the RPF-Inkotanyi during Rwanda’s liberation struggle. Notably, after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Massamba embarked on a new mission to unearth and nurture the next generation of Gakondo music. The likes of Jules Sentore, Teta Diana, Ruti Joel, and Daniel Ngarukiye are among renowned musicians who rose to fame under the veteran musician’s mentorship. His dedication to championing cultural music earned him honorary duty to coach the national ballet (Urukerereza). Urukerereza regularly takes part in dance festivals and performances around the world with their signature long-running shows that feature traditional Rwandan songs, drums and dances.
