US-based artiste Médard Jobert Ngabo, commonly known by his stage name, Meddy, has promised to deliver an exciting performance at the highly anticipated 11th edition of the East African Party slated for January 1, 2019 at Amahoro Stadium.

The entertainment event is organised every January 1 by East African Promoters, and Meddy will be performing live alongside Primus Guma-Guma Super Star season 8 winner Bruce Melodie, Prix Decouverte award winner Yvan Buravan, rapper Riderman and Social Mula.

Accompanied by his Ethiopian girlfriend Mehfira Mimi, the R&B singer arrived in Kigali on Monday evening to ‘get enough time to prepare for his performance’.

 "I believe the fans’ expectations are high and that is the main reason I came in early so I can have enough rehearsals for my performance and meet those expectations. I will be glad to celebrate the New Year with my people in Rwanda. I am sure that many people from Kigali were not able to be there for last year’s Mutzig Beer Fest in Nyamata but I hope this is their time,” he said.

EAP CEO Joseph Mushyoma addresses the media ahead of the East African Party in whic Meddy (in red ) will be the main artist-Eddie Nsabimana

Social Mula said, "It will be a pleasure to share the same stage with some artistes I grew up supporting. I am looking forward to enjoying the performance and celebrating the New Year with our fans.”

Before his performance in Kigali, Meddy was expected to perform in Burundi on December 29 and 30 but was forced to postpone his concerts due to ‘security concerns’ as his management explained in a statement released on Thursday morning.

"The concerts at Rue de l’UPRONA and Lacoste Beach have been rescheduled. New dates will be announced in the near future. We are truly sorry for the inconvenience,” read part of the statement.

Meddy said it was a sad decision but it had to be made, because he did not want to risk his life.

Singer Meddy says he is ready for the New Year's East African Party-Eddie Nsabimana

"Nothing makes a singer happier than performing for his fans but we had to postpone the concerts for security reasons. We will soon communicate new dates for the concert,” he said.

"You can’t cancel performing before thousands of supporters for a simple reason. I have management which makes sure everything is in place before going for a performance, and security is key, be it for the fans or the artiste. If something is wrong, what’s the point of performing in discomfort,” he said.

Bruce Melodie is another artiste who cancelled his performances at the concerts he had on Christmas Day in Gitega and another in Bujumbura three days later, for the same security reasons.

Entry tickets for the concert are available at Rwf5, 000 for regulars and Rwf10, 000 for VIP seats. 

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