Entertainment : Rwandans sample live music

Whoever complained that Rwandans do not play live music must have got their answer last week, in the Primus Guma Guma live show. Being one of the final gigs in the competition, every performer had to give it their best, and raise their chances of taking home the cash prize. I remember Nizzo, from the group, Urban Boys, pleading, “Please vote for us so that we can also reach America,”- everyone really needed the votes. Though some performers bored the crowds, the majority were comfortable working with the band. The few complaints from the former were; power cuts, microphones, time…. Whoever thought that King James’ voice was natural- no auto tunes, or other studio spices? Who thought that he could put up such a calm show, and why hasn’t he tried the American (African in this case) idol anyway? I must say I was disappointed with Rafiki who was hyped as master of live music, but didn’t really deliver? The Bagambe star has the vocal strength it takes though - super vocals actually. No one will blame him for jumping around stage because he can’t lose breath. Dr Claude did his Baramujyanye/ Bissous dance, anyone can comment; but the cheery singer should be a lesson to the rest, that live music means practice, and thorough practice. Blunders such as getting off key, not connecting to instruments and losing breath were a result of less rehearsals or lessons from whoever trained the performers. Outside the venue, fans were crazy about the good show; “This is what they call music; they always lie to us with their playbacks,” said one fan, ‘Complicated’ as he prefers to call himself. Now that we can sing live, and make local fans happy, why not take Rwandan music beyond our borders, since the improvement is undeniable? Ends