PHOTOS: What you missed at Kwanza Fest
Sunday, February 04, 2024
Kenny Mirasano during his performance at Kwanza Fest, in Kigali on Saturday . Photos by Olivier Mugwiza

The multi- genre fest featured a diverse lineup of artists from different music styles who put on a show despite the interruption by the police for loud noise at Kaso Kicukiro.

The event kicked off around 7pm by Nyundo School of Arts students. The band gracefully entertained the audience that had come to witness the greatness of music from the talented artists.

The band 'Conquerors Band' which performed for an hour hyped the audience with songs like ‘ Imana y’abakundana’ by Bill Ruzima among others. They welcomed Umukondo Gatore on stage as the next performer.

The traditional dancer and rapper known for his traditional hair style ‘ Amasunzu’ brought great energy on stage and danced as he performed his self-praises and rap.

The ‘Urukerereza’ dancer showed off some of his dance moves that had the crowd chanting for him. Perfoming his recently released ‘ Rudasumbwa Twataramye’ creation, Gatore gave his all during his time on stage.

Kenny Mirasano came on stage at around 9pm but after a while the show was stopped by police complaining about the noise, but that didn’t stop the singer from perform for the audience that had came through to support them.

He improvised with the situation by performing without instruments and microphone. Misigaro started off with the call and response style to make sure fans stay with him. He also sang two of his songs ‘Amazi and ‘Umuntu’. Other songs were traditional Rwandan songs 'Kabanyana’ and ‘ Ndare’.

Kenny Mirasano during his performance at Kwanza Fest, in Kigali on Saturday . Photos by Olivier Mugwiza

Even though the singer didn’t get to perform exactly how he had planned, the audience showed him love as they stayed for the performance, with even still still showing up at the venue.

Speaking to The New Times the singer said that he was grateful for the love he received from his audience regardless of what went on.

"I was emotional because I didn’t get to do what I had planned for my fans. However, the vibe was amazing, and the room was full of love.

As I said on stage, I’m not an electronic device, I tried to stay with my audience without sound system because they were there for me not for the sound. Their vibes were incomparable, honestly now I know that I’m loved," said Mirasano.

The singer decided to keep the show going and give fans a full performance on Sunday, February 4, at Cocobean at 8pm.

Yannick Gatore (Umukondo Gatore)
Kenny Mirasano during his performance at Kwanza Fest, in Kigali on Saturday . Photos by Olivier Mugwiza