The Rwandan hip-hop community will once again close the year with a major live music showcase as Icyumba cya Rap returns for its third edition on December 26 at Zaria Court.

Building on the momentum of its 2024 debut, the event is set to feature a broader and more structured lineup, bringing together established heavyweights and emerging voices from Rwanda’s hip-hop scene. Organisers say this year’s edition reflects both the genre’s roots and its continued evolution.

The lineup includes Riderman, Bull Dogg, Fireman, Green P, P Fla, Danny Nanone, Logan Joe, Bruce The 1st, Young Grace, Fifi Raya, Jay C, and Kenny K-Shot.

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Last year’s show ended on a disappointing note after it was cut short due to time constraints, leaving some scheduled artists unable to perform. Organisers have acknowledged the setback and say lessons were learned.

Bull Dogg assured fans that this year’s edition will deliver a complete experience.

"This season is about making it up to the fans who went home disappointed last year,” he said. "Some rappers didn’t get a chance to perform, and we listened to that feedback. This time, we’re more organised and intentional about giving people a full experience.”

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Beyond the event itself, Bull Dogg said Icyumba cya Rap aims to reposition hip-hop at the centre of Rwanda’s music culture.

"We’re planning to make hip-hop live again, and even bigger than all the other genres in Rwanda,” he said. "This is about reminding people where hip-hop stands and where it can go.”

Rising rap star Fifi Raya, one of the few female artists on the lineup, will be making her debut on the Icyumba cya Rap stage. She described her inclusion as recognition of her work over the past year.

"I’m thankful to be given a stage at this concert,” she said. "I’m ready to close the year because I’ve done a lot of work. It’s hard not to recognise what I’ve been putting out.”

Asked whether future editions could feature international or regional acts, Bull Dogg said the focus remains firmly on building a strong local platform.

"We don’t need international or big artistes to make this show big,” he said. "We need to build our own thing and earn recognition through it. Why not reach a point where international rappers recognise our show as a big deal and ask to join us here in Kigali?”

Tickets for the show can be purchased via www.ticqet.rw.