Category: Entertainment

The Rwanda music scene has registered massive growth over the years with the rise of “new school “musicians such as Meddy, Tom Close, The Ben among others that continue to showcase their talent over the airwaves. However, this progressive cycle has inevitably stagnated. This is due to an increase in mediocre artists in the industry which consequently leads to a blend between the good and the bad thus hindering and ultimately saturating the growth of the music industry.

However, devoted musical producer, aficionado and well established veteran in the industry, Barick is executing a revolutionary idea that has the potential to not only bring a radical change but to also save the music industry. His vision is promotion and establishment of the live band. This is a simple, fundamental and self explanatory concept that has been deficient within the music industry. Time and time, again we are treated to an unrealistic, rambling and pitiable method of “lip synching” or playback.

This method not only denies the audience the chance to experience music in a more enjoyable way by immersion into the realness of the sound, vocals and melody but it also camouflages the real lack of talent. Artists have fans down by pretentiously performing under the illusion of studio quality sound that is credited to the instruments as opposed to the performers themselves.

Barick is looking to put an end to this by embarking on a mission to promote a whole new way of expressing music. He is a genuine music enthusiast. He studied music at a seminary in Indera and later on travelled to Portugal to pursue his studies in Biochemistry and then Belgium to continue his higher education. During his tenure overseas, he produced some artists such as Dgeep in Portugal and Belgium.

He returned to Rwanda in 2006 and has since worked with many musicians such as Bizzy B, Faycal, Asher Junior, DMC and Young Tone through his label Brick music. Jackson, DMC and Asher Junior will release their albums projected in August under his label. He has also collaborated with other producers such as Derrick Davis and Mastola on various productions.

 His experience in Rwanda has allowed him to evaluate the music scene. He says genres such as RnB and Hip Hop had registered growth for a short while but have since stagnated. “We want to take part in this continuity of growth in music that’s why we envisioned the live band. ” He is in a joint collaboration with another producer Mastola and included are ten other members of the live band that have undertaken the challenge of encouraging and promoting real musical experience to fans across the nation. Its role and aim will be to produce music for any artists looking to perform live concerts and offer guidance while at the same time supporting the concept.

“The increased popularity of music in Rwanda has recently encouraged more artists into the industry. Unfortunately, some of these artists are average and continuous accumulation of such has led to a stage where we can no longer move forward,” Says Barick , “However the live band will be able to bring a distinction between the good and the bad ; this distinction will not only put an end to confusion that faced by fans but it will also lead to promotion of good music from talented artists”.

The live band is a great idea because it not only purifies the music but has the potential to increase attendance. The concept that is assumed by some of the “old school artists” is a very popular among fans from the middle class. It would be safe to assume that weak attendance and reluctance of fans to watch their stars perform would be due to the anticipated dissatisfaction and displeasure of playback performances.

It would be safe to say that its institution is bound to contribute to an increased fan base in the country and lead to a new era of making and presenting music that will undoubtedly take the Rwandan music industry forward.

A sage known as Voltaire once said ; ‘Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats’. This is not further than the truth when one considers the life journey of Kigali born radio producer/presenter and fashion designer Dudy alias Mwicira Mitari Dudy De Maximo.

Having witnessed the horrific carnage of his family in the hands of the perpetrators of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, De Maximo has certainly come a long way since then. On Wednesday, May 25 2011, De Maximo is set to receive the Young African Achievers award in the Netherlands for a movie project that has been a real revelation.

De Maximo, 29, a trained electrical engineer, will receive the Young African Achievers Awards after his thrilling yet educative movie ‘Short Cut’. The movie that highlights the hideous scenes of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi, will for the second time, be screened in Netherlands following numerous rave reviews.

The film, which is directed and filmed by De Maximo, features genocide victims who drowned as they tried to flee from the gory hands of the genocidaires, as others were killed and their bodies hurled into rivers.

The Young African Achievers Awards aims at providing role models and mentors to other young people. It also aims at acknowledging, motivating and highlighting the achievements of young people, developing leadership skills and cultivating a sense of pride and confidence in being an African.

The annual awards event is an initiative of the Young African Achievers organisation that brings together all African embassies based in the Netherlands. The head of the organisation, Professor Ruthiec Roma will hand over the award to De Maximo in the presence of Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Immaculate Uwanyirigira. 

De Maximo is later expected to hold a 45 minute press conference with the media. His movie will also be screened to coincide with the closing ceremony of the 100 days commemoration of the 1994 Tutsi genocide to be held in the Netherlands.

De Maximo holds an advanced diploma in Electrical Engineering from the Kigali Institute of Science And Technology (KIST). He has previously worked in the German-based radio station- Deutsche Welle, as a transmitter operator in Kigali before serving as a logistics officer/technician, store officer and first-aid worker with other employers. He has also worked at Rwanda’s Press House and Contact FM radio station as an adviser and promoter/presenter, respectively.

At the age of 12, the 1994 genocide against Tutsi led him to the woodlands after losing his entire family. After 32 days, the Rwanda Patriotic Army now RDF(Rwanda Defense Force) which he later joined, came to his rescue. He retired as a soldier barely two years later to pursue other interests.

However, the artistic and go-getting de Maximo decided to venture into the world of fashion design and filmmaking, trades that have already began earning him continental accolades. 

Radio 10 presenter and musician Uncle Austin has announced his intentions to quit the broadcasting profession and concentrate on his music. His daily radio show “The Overdrive” will be pined for by his radio fans, who have revealed their concerns during his last shows.

In the music scene, Uncle Austin is renowned for his hit songs Nzakwizirikaho and Gapapu.

Austin’s departure from the media remains a dilemma to many since it is through radio that he gained his fame. To clear the air, the artist claimed that his music had reached a critical stage especially among his fans. He gives that as the reason he intends to resign and concentrate on better music delivery.

“The music industry is doing well now and singing is my calling. I can feel it,” he remarks.

He further points out that he felt the calling when his first songs received massive attention from his fans, most of them youth from both Rwanda and the region.

 Austin is quick to highlight plans for his music career. Topping the list are video shoots for his latest hits Nakuvala and Nzakwizirikaho due in two weeks.

 The artist whose music is a blend of R&B and Afro fusion is presently working on his debut album produced by Kigali based producer Lick-Lick.

 “Very soon, I’m releasing a new hit called Ndagukunda Nzapfa Ejo,” the artist says.

 Reacting on his poetic title, which translates to why fall in love with someone only to die tomorrow, Austin sighs and declines to comment until the song is out.

 He further discloses that his poetic titles are one of his tricks to capture audience attention. 

The names of the ten nominees in the much awaited Primus Guma Guma superstar competition were finally disclosed last Friday at the Kigali Serena Hotel main hall. The by invitation-only event that was broadcast live on Rwanda national television attracted thousands of music enthusiasts.

However, the missing ingredient was the absence of female artistes among the ten nominees to fight it out in the latter stages of the competition. The ten nominees are Dream Boys, Dr. Claude, Urban Boys, J-Polly, Riderman, Rafiki, Mani Martin, Kitoko, King James and Tom Close.

In an interview with IGIHE.com, the Bralirwa Primus Brand Manager, Jean Pierre Uwizeye, said the lack of female nominess was based on the judges who not deem them proficient enough, dispensing with rumours that Bralirwa had a role to play in that. He further pointed out that Miss Jojo chose not to be involved in the competition due to her Muslim beliefs that deter her from branding alcoholic products. He observed that another popular artiste Shanel could not take part in the contest due to her other musical engagements in Canada.

 “Miss Shanel is already abroad so she cannot be a nominee ; this competition was meant for Rwandan artists in Rwanda,” he said, observing that even for some of the female participants who took part like Aline Gayongire, her votes tally did not add up.

 “So if the Rwandan people are thinking that it was done on purpose, it truly wasn’t,” he spelt out.

When contacted to corroborate her non-participation in the competition, popular artiste Miss Jojo said that she balked to join in due to personal reasons.

 “My work, religion and personal life work hand in hand”, she said told IGIHE.com.

One of the judges, Jean Paul preferably known as JP a popular music producer acknowledged that culture may have had a part to play in discounting female musicians.

 “I believe that Rwandans don’t want to see their daughters dancing provocatively on stage, it’s not in our culture”,

 “ I have to agree, but the truth is I am not the only one voting and I also believe that the ten who were chosen have worked harder and longer in this industry and deserved their votes. ”

 Miss Jojo concurred. “The female artists are trying but they are still new and young in this business. They really have to have great ambition in this industry and work hard. I mean really hard, so they can attain the level of their brothers ; then we can compete fair and square”, “This is just the beginning, the sky is the limit”.

 Meanwhile, when the competition ensues, the contestants will perform alongside a live band and the judgment would be based on their performances.

A road show will be held in different parts of the country, including Huye, Rusizi, Nyamagabe, Karongi, Muhanga, Byumba, Kibungo, Rubavu, Ruhengeri, Kigali and Nyagatare, as contestants egg on their fans to support them during the final competition slated for July 30 at Amahoro national stadium.

The contestants will compete for the grand prize of Rwf6 million and record a song with international star, Sean Kingston, among other prizes.

The country’s largest beverages manufacturer, Bralirwa through its Primus beer brand will sponsor a music competition dubbed ‘Primus Guma Guma Super Star’. Among the main highlights of the three month competition is a concert that will feature one of the most recognisable faces in world music Sean Kingston. The Jamaican-American singer is scheduled to jet into the country on 30th July 2011to grace the finals and perform live.

In an exclusive interview with IGIHE.com, the brand manager of Primus and Heineken, Jean Pierre Uwizeye said that BRALIRWA through the Primus brand is launching the competition with initial ten contestants who have been preselected by the local media.

Uwizeye said that in March this year, the local media were invited to conduct a pre-selection of the most promising artists who would be revealed on Saturday, 7th May 2011.

 ”After illuminating on the top ten artists on 7th May 2011, all those artistes will each receive RwF 1.5million. They will then perform concerts countrywide as a way of campaigning for votes,” Uwizeye said.

He observed that the competition would be conducted in three phases with the first selection due for 16th May. The top ten artists would campaign from one province to the other and thereafter, the public would from 2nd July 2011 vote in their favourite musicians. Each fan would be limited to two sms votes.

Uwizeye explained that BRALIRWA alongside the partner telecommunications companies would ensure there is no manipulation of the votes.

Through the polling, fans will select the top seven contestants. Subsequently, the battle for the winner among the four finalists will take place from 9-16 July 2011. This time, the supporters will send in only one text message per week, which translates to two votes in two weeks.

The winner will be declared on 30th of July. During the gala, Sean Kingston will perform live alongside Rwanda’s most talented artistes. The winner will scoop Rwf 6 million on top of a free ticket to the USA to record a song with Sean Kingston. 

Uwizeye disclosed that the Primus Guma Guma Super Star contest is organised by promoters from other East African countries to make it a success. 

Rwanda is taking part in an international film festival that is presently ongoing in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura.

The festival dubbed Fest cab, which is taking place for the fifth time, started on 29th of April and shall end on 6th of May 2011.

 Among Rwandan films to be screened in that film festive include the ‘The Long Coat’ and ‘Mayibobo’, which are directed by Eduard Bamporiki and Yves M Niyongabo respectively.

Burundian Minister of Culture and Youth Jean Jacque Niyongabo said that this year’s festival was more high profiled compared to previous ones.

“We have many renowned actors, who won different awards such as Eddy Munyaneza, and Jean Marie Ndihokubwabo and many others”.

Participants are drawn from several countries including Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and Kenya, Belgium among others.

The president of Fest cab Leonce Ngabo said that the festival would help participants to discover different cultures and also the history of different countries.