Showbiz recap: Kendrick Lamar thrills Kigali, Bad Rama reunites with lost relative and many more
Monday, December 11, 2023
Hip hop icon Kendrick Lamar performed for the first time in Rwanda. PHOTO BY OLIVIER MUGWIZA

It’s the festive season again, and Rwanda’s showbiz is filled with a bunch of trends and big events that are keeping partygoers entertained.

In the past week, Hip hop icon Kendrick Lamar performed for the first time in Rwanda and music investor Bad Rama reunited with his lost brother after 30 years, among other key events.

The New Times highlights more stories in Rwanda’s entertainment industry that trended last week.

Kendrick Lamar thrills Kigali

Last week, Rwandans experienced what a great rap performance is as hip hop icon Kendrick Lamar headlined ‘Move Africa concert’ which took place on Wednesday December 6, at BK Arena.

The concert also featured performances by other artistes including Bruce Melodie, Ariel Wayz and Tanzanian Zuchu, but the highlight was Kendrick Lamar’s stage which lasted for over an hour and is arguably the best performance to stage in the country

ALSO READ: Why Kendrick Lamar’s performance was the best to stage in Rwanda

The Compton-born rapper performed most of his classic songs from his maiden album Section 80, to Good Kid MAAd city and his recently released Grammy-winning album Mr Morale and The Big Steppers.

The renowned American rapper Kendrick Lamar during his performance at BK Arena on Wednesday evening, December 6. Photo by Village Urugwiro

The performance leaves a record that will go unbeaten for years.

Kendrick Lamar meets Rwandan rappers

Before heading to BK Arena to headline the 'Move Afrika: A Global Citizen Experience' concert, Kendrick Lamar met a group of promising Rwandan rappers and inspired them to keep creating music and push hip hop to greater heights.

Among the Rwandan rappers that he met include Kenny Kshot, Kivumbi King, Bruce the 1st, Angel Mutoni, Joe Logan, Prime, and Pro Zed.

ALSO READ: Kendrick Lamar meets Rwandan rappers ahead of grand concert

"There is one individual today that came to the meet and greet whom we share the same experiences with. He told me how my music inspired him, and I told him how DMX inspired me,” Kendrick Lamar said during his performance.

Amapiano star Kamo Mphela rocks Kigali

Amapiano musician Kamo Mphela entertained revelers who attended The Maker Incident show which took place Saturday December 9, at Mundi Center.

The ‘Dalie’ hitmaker and renowned dancer delivered an energetic performance that left many wanting more and proved the fact that Rwandans are still big fans of Amapiano genre.

She is the third Amapiano star to perform at the Maker Movement shows, following Tyler ICU, the brains behind Mnike, Pcee and Justin99.

Bad Rema reunites with lost brother

Rwandan music investor, Ramadhan Mupende, also known as Bad Rama, on Thursday, December 7, met for the first time his lost brother, Olivier Moses Uwimana, whom they separated during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Bad Rama also hosted different celebrities at B Lounge on Saturday as part of welcoming his lost brother back to the family.

The two were reunited by their father's death after his pictures started circulating on social media until Uwimana saw them

ALSO READ: Bad Rama reunites with brother 29 years after separation

"When he saw the posts, he was able to remember our father's name and he contacted singer Rafiki Coga who linked him to me. That is how I met him," Bad Rama told The New Times.

Juno Kizigenza joins Nel Ngabo on new track

Juno Kizigenza, one of the popular young Rwandan singers today, joined Nel Ngabo on his new track dubbed Kawooma that dropped on December 9.

The song was produced by Clement Ishimwe, manager of Nel Ngabo and CEO of Kina Music, and directed by Meddy Saleh.

The New Times has learnt that the new song is on the track list of Nel Ngabo’s upcoming album.