September was a good month for Rwandan showbiz, full of celebrity news, gossip and big events that kept the Rwandan entertainment community on its toes. A lot happened last week, but Bruce Melodie's collaboration with former Sauti Sol Bien Aime member 'Iyo Foto', which premiered on the same day as The Ben's new single 'Plenty', remains a major highlight of the week. The New Times picks other stories that made headlines in local showbiz during the just ended week. Rita Ange Kagaju resumes music after three-year hiatus Rita Ange Kagaju, one of Rwanda's finest female vocalists, is back in the game with a new extended play (EP) titled ‘Volume.’ Studies have kept Rita busy for the past three year after which she graduated with three degrees in Sociology, Environmental Studies and Global French Studies. She had at the time kept music aside to focus on studies but she’s is now ready to move and do what she has been doing best in the studio. Premiered on September 27, Rita’s latest six-song EP features her longtime collaborator Kivumbi King and was produced by some of Rwanda's finest producers including Flyest, KennyVibe, Madebeats, Santana Sauce, Ayoo Rash, Bob Pro, Eloi El and Idalimanzi. Her comeback was welcomed by many Rwandans who enjoyed her debut album’Sweet Thunder’. Bruce Melodie, The Ben drop music on the same day September 27 was a good day for Rwanda's music industry as two of the best local artists, The Ben and Bruce Melodie, dropped music on the same day, sparking mixed reactions among their fans as to whether the duo did it intentionally, trying to figure out who would take over the charts. Bruce Melodie teamed up with Kenyan superstar Bien for the energetic new single 'Iyo Foto' from his forthcoming debut album, while The Ben released his latest track 'Plenty' produced by Prince Kiiiz. ‘Plenty’ features on a list of The Ben’s songs that he plans to release before headlining his concert at early in 2025. ALSO READ: Bien Aime, Bruce Melodie drop Iyo Foto: A cross-border musical collaboration Both tracks are currently at the top of streaming platforms with hundreds of thousands of listeners in just two days. Which one is standing out? Socialite Vanessa Uwase gets engaged again On the night of September 27, former beauty queen and socialite Vanessa Raissa Uwase took to social media to share with her followers that she is engaged to another man identified as Dylan Ngenzi. Uwase was engaged to Congolese businessman Kabalu Putin in 2019 but they broke up in 2021. Her heart now beats for her new fiancé Ngenzi. The two kept their love private until Friday when Ngenzi proposed to Uwase who said ‘Yes,’ embarking a new journey which, if things according to plan, could see them tie the knot as husband and wife in te near future. Uwase, who was the first runner-up in Miss Rwanda 2015, has a record of dating celebrities. Former member of boy band Active, Olivis Mugabo, is among them. Rain halts Bruce Melodie’s performance in Bugesera Thousands of Bruce Melodie fans across Bugesera District eagerly awaited his performance at Iwacu Muzika festival. But they were left disappointed to learn that the artiste was going to cancel his performance after a mix of heavy rain and wind lashed the concert venue at Bugesera Stadium Other artistes, but Bruce Melodie, performed. The singer took to his social media platforms to clarify that he had to cancel his performance citing safety issues.
