The first-ever Move Afrika concert, held at the BK Arena and headlined by iconic American rapper Kendrick Lamar, proved to be an unforgettable night of music, culture, and advocacy on Wednesday, December 7.
Global Citizen, the event's organiser, had urged attendees to arrive early, and true to their word, the gates were bustling with fans as early as 5 pm. According to a reliable source, the concert saw a turnout of over 8,000 people, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
ALSO READ: Move Afrika throws Kigali into mid-week frenzy
As I stepped inside the arena, the diversity of the crowd at Move Afrika was striking. Socialite and host Azziad Nasenya echoed this sentiment when she took the stage, exclaiming, "Where are my Kenyan people?" The response was overwhelming, with attendees from across East Africa and a global audience, turning the event into a melting pot of cultures.
The BK Arena, usually not a stranger to events, witnessed a unique spectacle as Move Afrika unfolded. The venue, bathed in light, hosted a sold-out crowd for a night that not only entertained but also advocated for important social issues.
Throughout the evening, screens displayed advocacy messages from organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations (UN), all geared towards the youth and emphasizing investments in healthcare systems.
The lineup of artistes was nothing short of impressive. Bruce Melodie kicked off the evening with a dynamic performance, featuring crowd-favorite hits such as 'Katerina,' 'When She's Around,' and 'Henzapu.' Following this musical high, Rwandan poet Fred Mfuranzima initiated a spoken word performance of his poem, 'The Unstoppable Sea.'
The energy soared as President Paul Kagame took center stage, delivering a powerful message: "There are many things we can address together. Working collaboratively, our continent can stand strong and overcome most challenges. We eagerly anticipate hosting global citizens every year here in Kigali through Move Afrika. I hope you all feel at home, and I look forward to seeing you again in the near future.”
Tanzanian singer Zuchu accompanied by colorful dancers burst onto the stage, treating the audience to a medley of her hits, including 'Kwikwi,' 'Honey,' 'Cheche,' and 'Utaniua.'
Sherrie Silver, with more than 40 young singers, dancers, and break dancers from the Sherrie Silver Foundation, brought the arena to life. The crowd responded enthusiastically to her performance, and the Rwandan choreographer even lent her talents to choreographing some dances for Kendrick Lamar's set.
Before the much-anticipated Kendrick Lamar took the stage, Ariel Wayz, accompanied by DJ Toxxyk, entertained the audience with performances of 'Tattoo' and 'You Should Know.' Ariel Wayz then welcomed rappers Bruce the 1st and Kivumbi King on stage to join her in performing their viral hit, 'DEMO.'
As the clock neared 22:50, the anticipation reached a peak as Kendrick Lamar's absence was felt. The audience waited for 10 minutes while his team ensured that everything was perfect for his grand entrance, adding to the suspense.
At the stroke of 23:00, the much-awaited moment arrived as K-Dot took center stage. A backdrop featuring the African continent with Compton, his hometown, inscribed inside it set the scene for an unforgettable performance. Kendrick Lamar treated the audience to a showcase of his most viral hits, including 'Element,' 'Money Trees,' 'We Cry Together,' 'Loyalty,' 'M.A.A.D City,' 'DNA,' 'Love,' 'Alright,' and many more.
His set spanned 75 minutes, leaving the audience yearning for more. Taking hold of the microphone before exiting the stage, Kendrick expressed: "This is a special occasion tonight. It’s my first time on this stage in front of my people. We came all the way from Compton, California to party with y’all. Make sure we give the love back that you guys have given us since 2010.”
As the crowd continued to cheer him on, Kendrick took a moment to acknowledge the Rwandan rappers he had engaged with earlier. Reflecting on his musical journey, he shared: "When I started making music, it was for myself. But my whole purpose in music was to evolve and learn myself, continue to understand who I am. No matter where you are around the world, if you really mean what you say, feel what you really say, it doesn’t matter where you are, you’re going to get respect, and people will feel your art.”
Kendrick Lamar wrapped up his set with a performance of &039;Savior,' the 14th track from his latest album, 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.' The concert, a truly unique experience, seamlessly blended diverse performances, advocacy messages, throwbacks to Global Citizen Festival performances, and more. As the clock struck 00:24, signaling the end of the night, echoes of "money well spent" reverberated through the venue, something I saw as satisfaction of concertgoers who felt their tickets were indeed a worthwhile investment.