Entaertainment:EMA’s top ten; 2011’s best achievers

10: In one year, Uncle Austin has promoted his genre which sounds like afro-fusion, has comical lyrics and a fair dancehall baseline touch. His wonder song “Nzakwizirikaho”, for instance, is still one of the year’s fans’ favourites. 9: Kizito Mihigo managed to capture special audiences with his special songs and music skills, which ultimately makes him a special artist. His release, “Twanze Gutoberwa Amateka” was inspirational to the Rwandan society and perhaps matchless in 2011. 8: Whoever suggested that Tom Close was Rwanda’s best artist for 2011 might not have been far from fact-considering the number of hit songs he released and honours he earned. However, lately, his silence throws him to as far as number eight on the list. 7: Jean d’Arc Butera, better known as Knowless, started the year as the woman to check out for, as she almost silenced her female contenders in local showbiz. Though she fell silent in the middle of the year, she has been quick to correct her position, by organizing end of year concerts that featured international artists, and putting an album together. 6: King James’ creativity on stage and latest songs “Ndakwizera” and “Buhoro Buhoro” book him the sixth place on the list. The 20-year old is also on the list of the few artists who have not disappointed their fans with disorganized album launches. 5: Urban Boys, the former “best group” award-winner might regain this honour because of the hit songs, and their outstanding videos. They are also some of those always in showbiz headlines. 4: Riderman; from the time he released his first hit song in 2008, Riderman has never looked back. In 2011, he became more aggressive, establishing his own audio studio, releasing another album, “Impinduramatwara” (for revolution) and now getting ready to launch his third due on Christmas Eve. 3: Dream Boys put up an impressive run throughout the year, launching two albums in 2011 that featured a couple of number ones on local charts. They also won Uganda’s PAM Award, for Best Group in Rwanda. 2: Kamichi came to the spotlight in 2009 after featuring the then popular artists, The Ben and Elion Victory; he was more of a song-writer then. In 2011, he forced his way to the race of the “most popular artists” and has perhaps been the most improved artist. He also recorded a complete album and staged a major concert, “Ahoruzingiye”. 1: Jay Polly; at around this time two years ago, hip-hop was only known to the youngsters but the “Ndacyariho” star, contributed a lot to popularizing it to other groups of the population with his songs that carried positive message for the society. He was quick to become the face of Rwandan hip hop. emma.munyaneza@newtimes.rw