Tom Close-Sean Kingston collabo out soon

THE Primus Guma Guma Superstar 2011, Tom Close, launched his song and video featuring Sean Kingston at Top Tower Hotel, yesterday.  The song dubbed “Having Good Times” was recorded from Universal Studio, Hollywood theme park in Los Angeles, California and highlights the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Saturday, December 24, 2011
(L-R) Bralirwau2019s Elvis Castanou, Primus Guma Guma Superstar 2011 Tom Close and Bralirwau2019s Marketing Manager Jan van Velzen at the launch. The New Times/L. Mbabazi.

THE Primus Guma Guma Superstar 2011, Tom Close, launched his song and video featuring Sean Kingston at Top Tower Hotel, yesterday.

The song dubbed "Having Good Times” was recorded from Universal Studio, Hollywood theme park in Los Angeles, California and highlights the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

"Today we are launching Tom Close’s song and video, and it is also the closure of the Primus Guma Guma Superstar 2011 (PGGSS) season. It’s a season where we tried to elevate the music scene in Rwanda and it provided a platform for Rwandese artistes to expose themselves,” Jan van Velzen, Bralirwa’s Sales and Marketing Director said.

"During the 13 road shows all around Rwanda, there were live shows broadcast on RTV and live performances during the elimination phases. Artistes were able to develop themselves, perform with the best people, best equipment and to expose themselves to very big crowds,” he added.

Tom Close was announced the winner of the PGGSS first edition before thousands of people at the Expo Ground of Amahoro Stadium, on July 30. In the later weeks, Tom travelled to the U.S where he recorded the song, "Having Good Times” with Sean Kingston.

"We are very proud of PGGSS first edition. Primus again touched the heart of Rwandan music fans. It brought to all great moments of fun and enjoyment,” Velzen noted.

He added that: "We are delighted with the results of this initiative that improved our young talent performances and the music industry.”

The featured song and video is the final phase of the Primus Guma Guma Superstar (PGGSS) competition 2011 edition. The winner Tom Close collaborated with international superstar Sean Kingston and, indeed the song and its video is living proof that Primus Brand kept its promise to the Rwandans.

"I’m very happy to be part of it and very proud to be seated here next to Tom Close to launch his song. I am honoured to launch this song and want to congratulate Tom Close with his new song…I was fortunate to watch it,” Velzen said

Elvis Castanou, a senior manager at Bralirwa said: "Our first target was to make sure that PGGSS winner gets the best exposure on the national and international music scene. I am convinced that Tom Close is the best example of the PGGSS success. This inspires us for the second and upcoming 2012 edition.”

The PGGSS competition offered Rwandan music fans fantastic moments for the past months. The competition featured 10 contenders and the public voted for their favourite artiste, Tom Close, the Primus Guma Guma Superstar winner.

"I thank Bralirwa and the East African Promoter for organising the Primus music competition. I also thank the media for their support and request other companies to organise such events to boost the music industry, "Tom Close said.

"What I gained from the PGGSS was not the award, but the experience. I was also luck to record my song from Universal Studio, one of the best studios in world, where big stars such as Lil Wayne, Brandy, Celine Dion and Sean Kingston record their songs from,” he added.

linda.mbabazi@newtimes.com