Kevin Lyttle thrills Kwita Izina Concert, unveils new song

While the venue was an odd one, the setting was perfect for St Vincent and the Grenadines star Kevin Lyttle to cheer up the people of Musanze in Northern Province ahead of the 9th annual Gorilla Naming Ceremony - Kwita Izina.The “Turn Me On” singer was the main guest artiste for the Kwita Izina concert held on Friday evening at Stade Ubworoherane in Musanze town.The district stadium was fully packed during the exciting concert which attracted local, regional and international musicians to pave way for the ceremony to name 12 baby gorillas the following day.By 5p.m, the stadium was fully packed with music lovers eager for entertainment from the musicians. The concert started at around 6 p.m with a local traditional dance music group who curtain raised for the stars.The group kick started the concert with an exciting performance through their unique and fabulous music and traditional dance, giving the event the cultural touch that rhymes well with the main function of which the concert was held.After almost an hour of impressive traditional dances, it was time for modernity to set in. The self-styled singer Dr Claude was really the one to set the tempo, belting out some of his popular songs “Baramujanye”, “Contre Succès”, “Telephone”, winding up with his “Kwita Izina” theme song.In came rapper Jay Polly who received a raucous welcome, proving that he is one of Rwanda’s most loved musicians. He triggered off excitment as people danced along.The ‘Deux foi Deux’ singer knows how to work the crowd and make it his own. The Tuff Gangs man sang ‘Hisha Munda’, ‘Ndacyariho ndahumeka’ and the crowd favourite ‘Deux foi Deux’. He was later to join Knowless and Tom Close to perform their new collabo ‘Kanda Amazi’.Rafiki Mazimpaka of the Choga Style fame, who is particularly popular in this part of the country, was the only one to put up a live show, performing with his band before the home crowd. At around 9p.m, it was time for Tanzania’s Bongo Flava star Ali Kiba to jump on stage and belt out his old and new tracks, among them, the renowned ‘Cinderella’, “Mapenzi”, “Nakshi Mrembo”, “Usiniseme” and “Mac Muga”, among others.Before coming off the stage, Ali Kiba was forced into singing ‘Kigoma’ by Musanze residents who somehow thought he is the one who sang the popular Tanzania hit that has graced local and regional airwaves over the last few months.Though he did not feature in the song which is a collaboration of different Bongo stars who hail from Kigoma, Ali Kiba did not find it a problem singing it to the crowd, to the delight of many. It sent the stadium into frenzy, as the dancing set off dust which engulfed the crowd.The 2011 Primus Guma Guma Superstar winner, Tom Close did not also disappoint immediately after Ali Kiba. His performance brought back memories to his fans when he sung his old singles, “Ntibanyurwa”, “Komeza utsinde”, “Umunyarwandakazi” and “Ndakubona”, among others.At about a quarter to ten, the Soca King hit the stage with the support of G Money, the Nairobi-based international disc jockey. G Money is also known as the ‘Dancehall Ambassador’ who connects big stars from Jamaica for shows in East Africa.The “Turn Me On” singer could afford a few Kinyarwanda words: “Musanze Kwita Izina Muraho”, he said upon arrival on stage. The Caribbean star also could not go without confessing his love for Rwanda.The singer performed “You drive Me Crazy”, “Turn Me On” and introduced his latest single “Bounce”, which he said it was the first time he performed it anywhere.Apart from the singing, Lyttle’s dancing style left the girls screaming as he wiggled and put on sensual moves to accompany his ‘adult-rated’ lyrics. Despite being on a lull for some time, the singer proved that he still got what it takes.Shortly after Lyttle, songbird Knowless claimed the stage, putting up an energetic performance for the Musanze crowd while King James put up a deserving closing performance.The “Parapara singer” proved why he won the 2012 Guma Guma with an energetic performance which ensured that the Musanze residents and others who travelled north left with a smile on their faces.The free concert that was sponsored by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in collaboration with Serena hotel, Bank of Kigali among others ended at 11pm.The night was crowned with an after party at Volcana Lounge.This year’s Kwita Izina was held under the theme ‘Celebrating Nature, Empowering Communities’.Kwita Izina is inspired by the ancient Rwandan tradition of naming a baby soon after its birth. Since its introduction, the naming has seen over 150 gorillas named.

Leisure

Kevin Lyttle thrills Kwita Izina Concert, unveils new song