Who are the Primus Guma Guma Judges?

Aimable TwahirwaAimable Twahirwa is a graduate of ’’Ecole Internationale de Theatre et de Mouvements Jacques Lecoq de Paris/ France’’ where he specialised in performing arts. Despite primarily being an artist, he also holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication, Twahirwa has worked as director of the National University Center of Arts and Drama (UCAD), focusing on the promotion and revitalization of cultural life in Rwanda, and as the Director of Kimisagara Youth Center wherein music was really a part of daily life. Twahirwa is currently the Rwanda head of mission at Dutch International Non-Governmental Organisation “La Benevolencija HTF”.He is also an artiste of great stature, having directed and participated successfully in national, regional and international cultural events such as ‘’Festival Interuniversitaire des Arts de Butare (FIAB)’’, Panafrican Festival for Dance (FESPAD) and the East African Festival of Arts and Culture (JAMAFEST). Across various locations including, South Africa, Lybia, France, UK, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Japan, and Lebanon, Twahirwa has proven how important it is to use multiple skills in order to create an impressive spectacle. Twahirwa has been recently elected as one of the only a few Africans to be a member of the international jury for Arts Competitions, taking place in Nice, France on September during “Jeux de la Francophonie/2013.”--------------------------------------Aron NitungaAron Nitunga is among the most popular artistes in the region. Nitunga touches everything he can get his hands on with so much ease. So we shall see him playing the bass, the keyboard, the percussions, and singing in varied styles; and according to him: “if I wanted, I would play the violin, the trumpet or the harp. He is into the musical production of the mid 80s, and does not delay standing out in the region by producing albums and hits with different musicians among them: late Jean-Christophe Matata’s “Amaso akunda”, Emmanuel Sekimonyo’s “Umwana w’ umunyarwanda”, “Urabaruta” for André Sebanani, Byumvuhore’s “Fagitire”, David Nikiza’s “Urihe Ncuti”, Africa Nova (Iyizire).His reputation goes beyond the borders of the Great Lakes region, to Europe and North America where we shall see him on the guitar, the bass or in keyboard beside Benny. B (Belgium), Khadja Nin (Burundi-Belgium), Ali Birra and Kemer Yussef (Canada-Ethiopie), Shego Band (Canada-Somalie), Boogie Boy (Belgium). Pioneer in the showbiz, Nitunga remains the reference in the region; young artistes refer to his musical arrangements, the music which he produces and his mixing. He is always up to date and remained present on the musical scene; his secret, he says: “The desire and thirst to always learn, because nobody knows everything.”----------------------------------------Mighty Popo Entertainer, musician, guitarist, composer, Jacques Popo Murigande known by his stage name as the Mighty Popo shares his uplifting music and hope-filled stories with audiences of all ages and all walks of life.Murigande is a Rwandan artiste, whose music is steeped in African tradition, but you would hardly be getting the whole story of one of Canada’s greatest rising stars. You’d hardly be able to account for his effortless music talent as a member of the 2004 Juno Award winning African Guitar Summit, the kudos received for his genre-busting solo work with his last album Gakondo released on Borealis Records being nominated for the Juno awards in 2011, or his highlight performance at the Canadian edition of Bob Geldof’s international Live 8 concerts (one of the few chosen for EMI’s Live 8 DVD). His music reflects his immersion in a world of culture which he has navigated with grace, sensitivity and an enormous sense of exploration and fun. It is enriched by many traditions. It is authentically his. It is validated by its own excellence.----------------------------------------Kidum Burundian master drummer, composer, arranger and singer Jean Pierre Nimbona, fondly known as Kidum, is a Nairobi-based artiste whose infectious tunes have hooked legions of East African fans. In Burundi, Kidum is an icon of hope and reconciliation; in neighbouring Rwanda, he is recognised as the ‘homeboy.’His secular-but-spiritual songs range from rocking zouk to acoustic classics, all featuring his vocal prowess. This is absolutely cool music from a musician who is ahead of his contemporaries as a composer and singer.

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Who are the Primus Guma Guma Judges?