Rwandan-German singer, songwriter and poet Shavu is in the country ahead of her first musical performance on Rwandan soil.

Dubbed ‘In Our Art - Kigali Edition’, the concert will see the launch of Shavu’s debut album.

The show is scheduled for Friday August 31, at Gusto Italiano Restaurant and Bar in Kimihurura.

Shavu will be performing alongside German musician Wu, with whom she has collaborated on a few songs. The two are currently signed to the same record label, Loyal Records based in Cologne, Germany.

However, a day before the show, the two will hold a small show at the Spoken Word Rwanda forum at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village.

The ‘In Our Art’ album was officially released on August 10 in Germany. Born to a Rwandan father and German mother, Shavu has been visiting Rwanda at least once a year, ever since she completed high school.

The 24-year-old revealed that she started singing at the age of 13. She cut her musical teeth in gospel choirs, in her school band, before finding a slot in a reggae outfit - the Tree Of Life Band.

"I moved to Cologne and met Luca from Loyal Records who has a studio so I started recording my own stuff because I’d been writing my own music,” she explained.

The idea for the concert occurred to her during a visit to Rwanda in March.

"After the release of my album, Wu and I, and my producer, wanted this tour to Kigali because I personally want to share my music here because I’m Rwandan and I also invited them as friends and colleagues so we could do this together.”

Asked if she was back to settle in Rwanda permanently, Shavu retorted, "Right now I’m still based in Cologne, but since Rwanda is also my home I have two homes. But definitely I’m coming back and maybe at some point I will move here permanently. Whenever I have more music I will definitely come back for more concerts.”

Her Rwanda tour is organised by Kiwundo Entertainment, a local music label and Events company in partnership with Baldwin Events.

Some of the supporting acts lined up for Friday’s show are, Charly na Nina, Ms Erica, MC Tino, and audio producer Washington Ebangit from Uganda. Entrance is free.

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