Profiles of the Primus Guma Guma SuperStars

THE second season of the Primus Guma Guma SuperStars’ music competition is currently in high gear, with road shows across the country and elimination phases thereafter. The contestants are competing for this year’s grand prize of Rwf24 million and the title to become the Primus Ambassador.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Top row (L-R):King James, Danny, Bull Dog, Dream Boyz Bottom row (L-R): Knowles, Young Grace, Jay Polly, Riderman

THE second season of the Primus Guma Guma SuperStars’ music competition is currently in high gear, with road shows across the country and elimination phases thereafter. The contestants are competing for this year’s grand prize of Rwf24 million and the title to become the Primus Ambassador.The 10 music stars in the competition are:

James Ruhumuriza, aka King JamesN0. 10Age: 22Place of birth: Nyamirabo, KigaliKing James is the sixth born of seven children. He started his music career in 2010. The R&B singer is pursuing a degree in Mass Communication at Mt. Kenya University.King James says that if he wins the money he will use it to improve his music career and support the needy. DannyN0. 6Age: 21Place of birth: Nyamirambo, Kigali. He is third of five children. He started singing three years ago. Apart from music, Danny is a civil engineering student at Kicukiro College of Technology.He also says that if he wins the money, he will develop his music career and support underprivileged people.Maleq Ndayishimiye, aka Bull DogN0. 5Age: 24Place of birth: KigaliBull Dog is the fifth of 12 children. He started singing in 2007.He is a student at Kigali Institute of Education (KIE)."Right now I am not certain on how I would use the money if I won it. I think I would first sit down and plan perfectly well.”Dream Boyz is R&B duo composed of TMC and Platini.N0. 4The two boys, TMC and Platini, both 23, were born in DR Congo.TMC graduated this year with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), while Platini is studying Communication and Journalism at the National University of Rwanda (NUR). They say if they win the cash prize, they will promote  the group to the international level and finance their individual projects. Jeanne Ngabire Butera aka KnowlesN0. 7Age: 21Place of birth: Southern Province Knowles is an only child and started her music career three years ago.The R&B singer is studying Computer Science at Mt. Kenya University"If I win, I will do my best to support the needy, especially orphans and girls on the street.”Grace Abayizeye, known by her stage name Young GraceN0. 2Age: 18Place of birth: Rubavu DistrictShe is the firstborn with two siblings. She is in S.6 vacation.Young Grace says that if she wins the money, she will use it to improve her  music production.Joshua Tuyishime Polly, aka Jay PollyN0. 8Age: 23Place of birth: Gikondo – Kigali.He is the second born of three children. The Hip-hop star has been in the business for six years.Jay also is also a professional visual artist. "If I win the money, I would start a project in my name to help the needy, more so orphans, and upgrade my music.”Urban Boyz N0. 1Urban Boyz is a trio group composed of Jaf Niyibikora, aka Safi, 24, born in Muhanga and student at Kigali Independent University (ULK), James Manzi, aka Humble J, 27, works at Yaadein Rwanda, Muhamed Nshimiyimana, aka Nizzo, 23, who doesn’t have any other occupation apart from singing.The group says that if it wins the competition, the money would be used to promote the group’s music - and also to cater for their personal issues.  Emery Gatsinzi, aka RidermanN0. 9Age: 26Place of birth: Bujumbura, BurundiHe is the last born in a family of  five. He started singing in 2006.Riderman is pursuing a career in Tourism Management at Rwanda Tourism University College (RTUC)."If I win the prize, I will be able to finance my businesses, as well as my music career.”Just FamilyN0. 3Just Family is a three-male piece, composed of Bahati, 25, Croidja, 29 and Jimmy 26. Bahati was born in Gasabo District, Croidja in Bujumbura, Burundi and Jimmy in Nyakabanda, Kigali.Bahati, the frontman of the group, says that if the group wins the money, it would dedicate it for charity activities – but also use some to support the group.