Is the Miss Rwanda pageant in trouble? Rumors are going around that one of the biggest events on Rwanda’s social calendar, Miss Rwanda, might not happen next year. Reasons behind vary; some say it is because of the disputes over rights to the pageant, and others, that the contest does not benefit those who participate. Also, it is alleged that the competition has failed to promote Rwandan culture, which is a primary goal. However, Rwanda Academy of Language and Culture (RALC) dismissed the rumors, saying that the reason people suspect trouble is because the tender for the organisation of the Miss Rwanda project was rejected, but not the project itself. But the public is not convinced, and people are waiting for the official announcement of the contest by the organisers. The announcement for the applications of next year’s edition of Miss Rwanda should’ve been made by now. Grandpa Records comes to Rwanda Grandpa Records’ CEO Refigah Leading Kenyan music stable, Grandpa Records, is setting up base in Rwanda, per our sources. Grandpa Records’ chief executive, Noah Yusuf aka Refigah, was in the country a few days ago, where he met with artistes and investors willing to work with the studio as part of his plan to nurture regional music. This follows previous travels to South Sudan, Uganda and Burundi. Word reaching our desk is that the studio is spreading its wings and setting firm bases in specific areas of interest regionally. What we know for now is that the project kicks off early next year. Did King James lie to his fans? King James Over the weekend, James Ruhumuriza, aka King James, launched his fifth album dubbed Urukundo at Tamu Tamu Beach on the shores of Lake Kivu in the Western Province of Rwanda. Despite the poor sound system at the beginning, the event was successful as the singer managed to pull the crowd and every artiste that accompanied him did a great job entertaining revelers. Riderman, Mico the Best, Bull Dogg, Urban Boyz and Christopher performed during his album launch. The singer then promised a ‘meet and greet’ after-party at one of the popular bars in Rubavu. Before leaving the stage, he announced that he would be honored to meet his fans and asked them to make it there. Of course, fans went, as early as possible, secured places, and etcetera. After waiting for hours, the singer never turned up. Fans were beyond disappointed and questioned why the singer would do such a thing. Hopefully, we will find out. The Ben and Green P reunite after 6 years The Ben US-based Rwandan R&B/Pop superstar, The Ben, landed at Kigali International Airport last week, and was welcomed by family and friends after six years abroad. The singer, who was brought in to perform at the annual East African Party which will take place at the Amahoro Stadium on January 1, 2017, met with the media. His young brother, Elia Rukundo, commonly known as Green P, is a local rapper under Tuff Gangz Crew. The two finally reunited on Green P’s birthday. Word reaching our desk is that The Ben surprised his little brother with a brand new IPhone 7 which cost about USD849 (approximately Rwf679,200). Now that’s brotherly love! Will Wizkid be arrested? Wizkid An arrest warrant was issued in Uganda for Nigerian musician Wizkid after he failed to show up for a concert. Wizkid, real name Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, failed to show up for a concert on December 3 at Lugogo Cricket Oval in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. His representatives said he was in the United States for medical reasons and could not travel to Uganda due to “unavoidable circumstances”. But promoters of the show sought legal redress saying they already paid the musician $60,000 (Rwf48 million) performance fee, $5000 (Rwf4million) brokerage fee and $3000 (Rwf2.5 million) per diem for the days the musician and his crew would have been in Uganda. They also claimed that they incurred expenses in bookings and re-booking of flights, hotel, venue, advertisements and promotions at the cost of more than $300,000 (Rwf243 million). In addition more than 25,000 people bought tickets for the concert. The court granted the arrest warrant which directs any police officer from Uganda police or Interpol to arrest Wizkid and produce him to court before January 16, 2017.If arrested the musician will face charges of receiving money by false pretense, cheating and conspiracy to defraud. Wizkid will have to pay the organisers the money they lost or face an 11-year jail term. What next for the superstar?
