PGGSS 5: Muhanga draws huge crowds

Primus Guma-Guma Super Star Season 5 roadshows continue to pull record crowds, with districts apparently keen to outdo each other. That’s evident in Muhanga on Saturday, the latest leg of this year’s Guma-Guma contestants.

Monday, May 25, 2015
The PGGSS 5, judges closely follow the performances.(All photos by Plaisir Muzogeye)

Primus Guma-Guma Super Star Season 5 roadshows continue to pull record crowds, with districts apparently keen to outdo each other.

 That’s evident in Muhanga on Saturday, the latest leg of this year’s Guma-Guma contestants.

Rapper Paccy performs before Muhanga residents.

The blue skies and fine afternoon weather ensured that thousands of music lovers from and around Muhanga town poured in to see their favourite stars in huge numbers, with the crowd here looking bigger than even the one in Ruhango town the previous week.

DJ Bissoso on the wheels of steel ensures that the crowd is kept on their feet

The afternoon gig kicked off with DJ Bissosso and MC Anita Pendo warming up the reluctant crowd. For the first time, Pendo hosted the show alone, with her partner in crime MC Tino missing in action.

At some point Bruce Melodie performed while seated.

But things immediately became serious when judges AimableTwahirwa, Lion Imanzi and Clementine Uwitonze, alias Tonzi, took their seats, and it was none other than Knowless to kick off the performances of the day.

As was the case in Ruhango the previous weekend, Knowless proved to be popular in Southern Province – where she hails from – as the crowd here fully got behind her as she performed Baramushaka and Sweet Mutima among others.

Jules Sentore performed last in Muhanga

The singer, clad in casual ripped jeans and a Fedora hat, has taken on the ‘bad girl’ style compared to the last time she appeared in this annual competition (PGGSS 3), when she had taken on ‘traditional Rwandan’ look.

Knowless has proved to be popular in Southern Province

Knowless was followed by new entrants in the musical show TNP who have since gotten ‘used’ to the big stage. The duo of Passy and Tracy performed songs such as Kamucerenge and Byina, before they left the stage for Active, another group, to take over.

Active boys once again impressed with sleek dance moves in their performance

Active, as usual, performed their songs such as Lift and Aisha but again what mesmerised the crowd most were the sleek dance moves which got many screaming.

Muhanga registered one of the biggest crowds

Just as the crowd was murmuring about Active’s performance, Eric Senderi, the self-proclaimed ‘international hit’, arrived on stage, this time donning a Rayon Sports jersey, complete with boots and soccer ball in hand.

Man of tricks Senderi this time appeared dressed like a footballer

Senderi performed Aba Rayon and Jalousie but beyond his stunts, he was supported by dancers whose acrobatic display ensured the crowd was entertained.

Senderi's dancers put up an acrobatic display

Bull Dogg then took to the stage and performed his Icyuki, Nk’umusaza and Cinema. The Tuff Gang rapper was supported by his reliable sidekick Khalifan.

Rapper Bulldogg and his reliable backup Khalfan rap away in Muhanga

Dream Boys, the duo of TMC and Platini, which is trying their luck on the PGGSS title for the 5th time were next up after followed Bull Dogg, performing songs such as Mumutashye, Urare aharyana and Tujyane iwacu, which were well received by the crowd.

Dream Boys for the 5th time are trying their luck on the PGGSS title

Then it was rapper Paccy’s turn; she kicked off her performance with her Ese nzapfa, which she followed with latest hits such as Rendezvous and Umusirimu.

Facing the crowd. Bruce Melodie croons away. The singer has proved to be popular through the roadshows

Bruce Melodie was next and the Ndumiwe singer yet again proved that he is a force to be reckoned with. Melodie, who is in the annual contest for the second time, performed Ndakwanga, Ntundize and Ndumiwe.

Choga style king Rafiki wows Muhanga town

RafikiMpazimaka, the king of Coga style followed suit, delivering his dancehall tracks like Bagambe, Gikomando and Bwongoza faux, among others.

Jules Sentore closed the show with Dutaramane, Kora akazi and Angela, capping up what was an otherwise wonderful evening in the Southern Province town of Muhanga.

The country's most prized music contest was started and is organised by Bralirwa through its biggest mainstream brand - Primus. This is its 5th season.

The crowd was massive.
At Your Service. Ladies served up guests with refreshments courtesy of Primus
New boys TNP