Karangwa Lionel, a.k.a Lil G, one of the youngest rappers in the country, was earlier this week announced as the winner of the 2nd MTN CallerTunez Awards, a Call Ring Back Tone (CRBT) promotion.  

Spearheaded by MTN Rwanda, this campaign recognizes through cash prizes to local artistes with the most downloaded songs.

The ‘Nimba Umugabo’ hit-maker, won Rwf200,000 as the artiste with the most downloaded song, "Ese Ujya Unkumbura”. The song got 181,971 downloads on the MTN CallerTunez platform.

Speaking at the handover event at MTN Headquarters in Nyarutarama, MTN’s Data and Digital Manager, Rosine Dusabe said that MTN is focusing on transforming society through digital innovations as part of its vision of delivering a bold new digital world.

"Innovations like MTN CallerTunez are a convenient way of delivering digital lifestyle benefits through our mobile phones. The Awards were created to recognise and reward Artistes with the most downloaded CallerTunez while giving interested customers the awareness and opportunity to use this entertaining and engaging service.”

Closest competitors included Charly and Nina with their hit song Indoro, Ama-G the Black with Amasengesho, Urban Boyz with Aragiye, and finally Theo Bosebabireba with Bazaruhira Ubusa.

For artistes, CRBTs are fast becoming an alternative business model, complimenting other revenue streams like concerts and album sales.

"We aim at having these awards recognising local talent on a quarterly basis,” said Eric Sesonga, MTN Consumer Marketing Manager.

"Mobile devices have quickly become a channel for a whole range of digital services that we rely on every day. We believe that such digital channels are a quick and effective way of distributing, sharing and engaging with content.”

MTN launched the CallerTunez service in 2009.