For the first time in the history of Rwandan music, rappers and other musicians making the hip hop genre were given a platform to showcase and celebrate the hip hop culture in Rwanda. This was during Rap City Season 1, event aimed at promoting the rap and hip-hop culture in Rwanda that has been around for years but not promoted, which held Saturday, September 16, at BK Arena Rwanda’s hub of Sports and Entertainment. “Respect hip hop and protect our rappers at all costs. We want hip hop music, only hip hop!” Some of the words that were coming from revellers at the event. The concert, an all Rwandan, all hip-hop event saw old and fast rising rappers performing some of the greatest hip hop hits that were ever produced in Rwanda. At around 7:30 pm, young rappers who were selected on social media started a rap battle, and Admire’s rhymes and bars made him the winner. The young musician won a prize for headlining different events that will take place at the BK arena. Dope Zilha, a young rapper who rose to stardom after dropping ‘Zararyoshye’ hit the stage alongside Mapy, and the rest was history. The young musicians gave away their shoes and shorts during their performance, and returned to the backstage in boxers. DJ Toxxyk also kept revellers entertained with his session characterized by hip hop and Rap songs. The renowned DJ paid tribute to Jay Polly, Buravan and DJ Miller, some of the iconic musicians who played a big role in the rise of Rwandan music. Other artistes including ‘Kucyaro’ hit maker, Misteak, B-Threy and Oda Paccy followed on the stage and kept the crowd moving. The mood changed in the arena when Ish Kevin, one of the dopest rappers in the game, came up on stage and started toperform different songs that made him a household name in the music industry. He performed ‘Amakosi’, ‘No Cap’ and other tracks on his second mixtape, Trappish 2. The highlight of the night was Bushali stepping on stage with his 2-year old first born, Bushali Moon. The young Bushali danced to some of his dad’s greatest hits such as ‘Mukwaha’, ‘Tsikizo’ among others. Old school rappers bring the roof down Fireman, former members of Tuff Gang crew which pioneered hip hop genre in Rwanda took the mic and everyone at the BK Arena started moving. The renowned rapper performed some of the old songs including 'Amaganya,' which narrates struggles rappers in Rwanda face, alongside ‘Umuhungu wa Muzika’, ‘Nyega Nyega’, ‘Inkoni Izamba’ and many others. He was followed by Bulldog who was also a member of the famous Tuff Gang crew. Bulldog didn’t focus on the old school hits only, but rather performed some of his tracks produced in new genres such as ‘Mood’ produced in Drill. The renowned rapper took one minute to pay tribute to his late best friend, Jay Polly, and performed his song ‘Ndacyahumeka’. Riderman alongside Karigombe hit the stage last and played some of Riderman’s hit songs of all times such as 'Horo,' 'Nkwitende,' 'Igicaniro' among others.
