A few months ago, Rwandan rap sensation Bushali joined forces with rising Ugandan artist Sir Kisoro on the remix of Sir Kisoro II, which was later officially launched in Rwanda. This collaboration sparked a movement to support emerging Rwandan dancers. Sir Kisoro, officially known as Hayes Willit Mugisha, is a young Ugandan artist whose unique sound blends Afrobeat, Hip Hop, and Amapiano. ALSO READ: Ugandan musician Ragga Dee in Kigali During the video shoot for the remix in Rwanda, both artists, along with Sir Kisoro's manager, Robert Stephenson, were present. Stephenson, captivated by the country's beauty, shared with The New Times in an interview, When we approached Bushali, he immediately agreed to work with Sir Kisoro. One day, while in my hotel room, I looked out and saw children dancing in the courtyard. They were incredible, and I invited them to be part of our video shoot. That's when I discovered they are the 'Tia Kids Africa,' a group with a deep passion for dance. Stephenson, a South Africa-based philanthropist, was so inspired by the young dancers' talent that he immediately sought to support them. ALSO READ: Bushali drops first song on upcoming album 'Full Moon' His first step was covering the school fees for the Tia Kids, a promising dance group, and enlisting another young dancer, Boaz Ntagozera, to mentor them in mastering new moves. Upon returning to Rwanda for the launch of the collaboration video, Stephenson established a foundation through his CAN Music Label to nurture young Rwandan talent in dance and music. He explained, “Our mission is to teach kids not just how to be artists, singers, and dancers, but how to become change-makers, particularly in addressing climate change through ‘Climate Action Now’. We’re also focused on developing social entrepreneurs who can manage their creative careers as businesses. We realized that music and the arts are industries where young people can generate income while advocating for the planet.” Boaz Ntagozera, a 19-year-old dancer, shared with this publication that since meeting Robert Stephenson, he has received not only financial support for his education and basic needs but also mentorship to hone his talent. While still in school, Ntagozera has been connected with the Tia Kids to elevate their dance skills further. Josue Umukundwa, the CAN Rwanda Foundation representative, also revealed plans to launch a dance competition dedicated to nurturing and supporting young Rwandan dancers.
