CELEBRATED RWANDAN MUSICIAN, Fayçal Ngeruka aka Kode recently inaugurated “Loko Star, a singing competition that aims to promote rising artistes who can sing live and further build their capacity. Contestants started submitting their ‘one minute and 30 seconds max’ videos on August 8 and had until 28. According to Kode, throughout the competition, they are trying to find the best entertainers in terms of quality music and live performances. “What I have seen is that we have super artistes, but most of them are not that good when it comes to performing live,” he said. “In this singing competition, everything is going to be totally live either on stages or during rehearsals.” To be enrolled in the competition, a contestant needs to be a Rwandan citizen and able to sing songs by Rwandan artistes given that the entire course of the competition will see contestants playing them live with the help of an all-female band called SHERI. Kode also shared that the competition will be in three phases. The first phase, he said, will see contestants singing 80’s and 90’s Rwandan oldies while the second and the third will see them singing songs released between 2011 to 2015 and from 2015 up to now, respectively. “A contestant,” he continued, “has to be able to sing at least one song from each of the three phases and be able to perform it for at least 1 minute and 30 seconds. They can choose a part of the song they are comfortable with. All languages are accepted.” Kode has been playing live for years and so for him, coming up with the competition is a dream come true and a part of a legacy he wants to leave. He believes that live music is a good way forward to make a big difference as Rwandan artistes expand their music internationally. “We are trying to make sure that we can have the best artiste who will represent Rwanda in the near future and maybe for a long time; someone whom we can look up to,” he said. Talking about the prize, he said the winner will secure a package deal worth Rwf10 million which includes cash and investment in terms of time, effort, creation and opportunities to make sure they rise higher.
