Vox Pop: What fans expect from Move Afrika experience
Wednesday, December 06, 2023
L-R: Cynthia Mukundente, Deejay Sonia, Elvis Kwizera, Kevin Niyonzima, and Yassin Tuyishimire.

Hip-Hop legend Kendrick Lamar is in Kigali for the highly anticipated Move Africa experience and Rwandans are counting just hours to witness an electric performance from the American rapper, as well as Bruce Melodie, Zuchu and Ariel Wayz, among others.

The American star is not only known for a great flow but also for his iconic performances and his fans in Kigali are head over heels as they wait for the ‘Damn’ hit maker to take to the stage at the 10,000-seat BK Arena in Remera.

ALSO READ: Kendrick Lamar concert: What does it mean to be a global citizen?

A cross-section of fans told The New Times what they anticipate from the show.

American rapper Kendrick Lamar will perform at Move Afrika at BK Arena today

Excerpts;

Elvis Kwizera

It still feels surreal. I've been a very big fan of Kendrick for many years and I really cannot wait for his performance. It is a once in a lifetime experience that I am very happy to witness. I look forward to see him perform some of my favourite songs of his like ‘Mad City’, ‘DNA’, ‘Backseat freestyle’, ‘Loyalty’, ‘Alright and ‘Love’.

For such a big concert, I expect the production level to be scaled up. It is my hope that there will be explosions of sparks, fireworks, and confetti like foreign countries get to experience that make a concert lively and enjoyable.

However, it is common for African artistes to come late and people often end up missing the artiste they are there to see. As concert goers, since the promoters of this occasion are of high strict standards, we hope they hold themselves to the time they set as professionals.

Usually at concerts there are preset screens and lights that are irrelevant to the mood and atmosphere of the artiste on stage. This time I hope the lights change (darker lights for a sad song, a happy song with warmer lights that flicker) and a screen that tells a story relevant to the artiste.

Move Afrika and Global Citizens draw high-profile artistes to a country. As such, I hope that the production, orientation, and orchestration of the event is held to high level global standards, thus ensuring the longevity and trustworthiness of Move Africa, Global Citizens, and essentially Rwanda as a country aspiring to be a central hub for events.

ALSO READ: Move Africa Rwanda concert is big...but it’s more than just music

Deejay Sonia

I attended one of the Global Citizen concerts in Ghana and it was surreal. It was the first time I was seeing such a show in Africa and when I saw that it was coming to Kigali I was overwhelmed because I know how big and advanced it is. To every music lovers and fans of Kendrick Lamar out there, this is your show if you want to have a great time and enjoy good music. I am ready to have a blast.

Yassin Tuyishimire

Kendrick Lamar is a big name in the music industry globally, no one saw this coming but luckily, we will get to experience a performance that is on a much higher level than what we have been witnessing in other shows. Even though I am not such a big fan of Kendrick I expect an amazing performance that we have not seen before here by any artiste. I expect something we've never seen because he is a great musician. We are about to witness a once in a lifetime experience.

ALSO READ: The top 10 Kendrick Lamar’s songs that could rock at BK Arena today

Cynthia Mukudente

I'm really trying my best to get to the venue on time. I am hyped and my expectations are kind of high now because he is one of the best rappers we have around and I am hoping to have a lot of fun. I am thrilled and cannot wait to enjoy each minute of Kendrick’s performance because who would have thought this will happen.

Kevin Niyonzima

The first time I heard about Kendrick’s concert in Kigali, it was crazy because it never crossed my mind that it could actually happen. I didn’t believe it until I saw flyers confirming his show. I cannot believe that in a few hours I will see him performing live right in front of me, in Kigali.

I’m a big fan of Kendrick and one thing I know for sure he has one of the best stage performances. At the BK Arena people will experience things they have never seen before. However, I would have loved to see Rwandan rappers performing on the same stage, like Ish Kevin and Maestro Booming, among others. But I am really happy to see Kendrick perform live.