It is that time of the year when local entertainment industry is hot with buzzing events that puts partygoers in the summer mood. The just-concluded Basketball Africa League (BAL) finals were the highlight of the week but a lot more happened and The New Times brings to you some of the stories that trended most in the country over the week. Riderman, Bulldog walking the talk with new rap album It was a good week for Rwanda’s hip hop community as two of Rwanda’s greatest rappers, Riderman and Bulldog, dropped a joint album which is now among the most trending in the country. Dubbed “Icyumba Cyamategeko”, the album is all produced in the old school hip hop genre of the 90s and early 2000s, which is one of the reasons it’s leading the charts. Riderman and Bulldog are considered legends of Rwandan hip hop, having been making music for over 15 years now. Their connection in the album has left many clicking on their songs again and again. The six-track album feature songs like “Hip Hop” and “Amategeko 10” and many others. Kigali goes “Strictly Soul” again Strictly Soul, one of Africa’s biggest R&B parties, recently returned to Kigali and this time around, it was more than just a party, but a celebration of soul music. Held on Friday, May 31, at Atelier du Vin, the event was hosted by DJ Akio Kawahito with special guest DJs including Nicolas Peks and Afrogroov, all who delivered best vibes of soulful genres such as R&B, Soul, Neo-Soul, and Trap Soul among others. It was Strictly Soul’s second time coming to Kigali. At Gen Z comedy, Kanyombya's age is just a number Sixty-two-year-old Rwandan comedian Kanyombya is the latest comedian to headline ’Gen Z' comedy, and the old man did not disappoint. Held on Thursday, May 31, the event also featured performances by other talented acts including Muhinde, Tizzy, Keppa Nyirudushya, and more, but the highlight of the night was Kanyombya who stole the show with his funny jokes that left many on the ground. He is arguably the oldest comedian to grace the comedy show which most of the times gives young aspiring comedians a platform to show their talent, when he's on stage, age does not deter him to crack revelers' ribs. The Ben’s first 2024 public performance Rwanda’s R&B music sensation The Ben delivered an energetic performance during the half time show of Basketball Africa League (BAL) final clash between Angola’s Petro De Luanda and Libya’s champions Ahly Libya at BK Arena on Saturday. The Ben was the last artiste to perform at the just-concluded weeklong BAL playoffs and his first public performance in Rwanda in 2024. Other artistes who headlined BAL Playoffs halftime show include Nigerian musician Adekunle Gold, Bwiza, Ish Kevin, Kivumbi King and Kevin Kade among others. Chappelle maintains ‘no phone’ rule during Kigali show Celebrated American comedian Dave Chappelle on Thursday, May 30, performed for the first time in Kigali, Rwanda. Chappelle, widely regarded as one of the best comedians in the world, staged his standup comedy show at Kōzo Kigali, a high end restaurant located in Kimihurura, where phones were restricted into the venue. Tickets for his performance, which sold out just a few hours after the event was announced, were going for Rwf200, 000, making it the most expensive concert to attend in the history of Rwanda. The comedian later met President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwira and attended BAL final game at BK Arena hours after visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre which is home to more than 250,000 victims slain during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
