Gospel singer Brian Blessed, real name Brian Bizimungu, is set to release a new album titled ‘Again and Again’, which contains eight songs and carries a message of hope. Several local gospel stars, including Patient Bizimana, Clementine Uwitonze, commonly known by her stage name Tonzi, and Beauty for Ashes, will accompany the ‘K’umunara’ singer as he launches his first album on May 27, at ParkIn by Radisson in Kiyovu, Kigali. In his own words, Brian Blessed says the message in his album is derived from the book of 2 Corinthians 1:10, which says “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us”. He said that he chose to put his launch within the 100-day period of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi because it carries a message of hope, which can benefit many Rwandans during this period as they remember loved ones. “My album aims at bringing hope back to all Rwandans with a message saying that the same God who saved us from the Genocide will save us again and again,” he said in reference to the album whose cover song is “You will do it again”. Platinum tickets, which include a table, will go for Rwf150, 000, Gold Rwf10, 000, and Silver Rwf5, 000. The launch is organised in partnership with Karisimbi Events. Born 32 years ago in the central Ugandan region of Masaka, Brian Blessed, says he started singing from childhood at the age of 6 years in church Sunday schools and continued discovering his talent through high school where he served as a worship team leader and song writer. In 2004, he joined forces with Eric Nshimiyumuremyi aka Enric Sifa, to form ‘Hindurwa’ (loosely translated to mean ‘Be transformed’), a local Christian music band, which they expanded in 2006 by bringing new members on board. They went on to release songs such as ‘Vahanze’ and ‘Sijye Mwami’. The same year they organised a successful interstate album launch in Portland Oregon, Washington State, in Vancouver and in Houston Texas, with an aim of raising funds to support vulnerable children. As a result, hundreds of children were helped to go back to school through Africa New Life Ministries (ANLM). He became a worship leader at New Life Bible Church in 2009 where he served until 2015. Between 2010 and 2015, he organised a series of charity activities, mainly to support needy children as well as anti-drug campaigns targeting urban youth. The singer believes that, as a gospel musician, God does not only expect him to minister through music only but also through good deeds to benefit the society. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
