When you hear the word groove, what comes to mind? For me, Saturday night answered that question in full color and heavy bass. Kigali has no shortage of places to catch a vibe on weekends, but for anyone tuned into the music scene, certain events feel more like rituals. One of those is Atmosfera, Rwanda’s own afro house experience. If you’ve seen the clips floating around on social media, you already know what I mean. If not, take this as a formal invitation. ALSO READ: Kigali grooves to golden hits, retro vibes My video producer Willy Mucyo and I are currently working on a mini documentary that follows one of the consultants behind Atmosfera, and this gave us unique access to capture its energy. What began as research quickly turned into fascination. The deeper I explored, the more I understood why people are drawn to it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The New Times (@thenewtimesrwanda) Atmosfera is not for the faint-hearted or the soft-spoken. The sound is loud—intentionally so. Afro house builds on rhythms designed to shake rooftops, and on this night, it did just that. Before we made it past the gate, we were handed a coupon for a shot, which I chased with a cold Desperados. Not the first drink of the night, and definitely not the last. This edition took place outdoors, a shift from the usual Depot37 setup, and the extra space gave the night room to breathe. ALSO READ: BK backs creatives, kicks off support with ‘Uwangabiye’ album launch Some groups settled at tables for low-lit conversations—yes, despite the volume—while others drifted between merch booths and the main floor. The mood was dark, the energy focused. I spent most of the night dancing near the DJs on a stage platform designed for just that. The crew behind Atmosfera also records footage during the event, capturing moments that could help broadcast this growing movement beyond Kigali. Paul Bragi opened the night, though I missed most of his set while chasing another drink. Next came Khabibu, the masked EDM producer known for reworking nostalgic Rwandan hits into thumping modern tracks. Things kicked up a notch when DJ Lamper took the stage, flanked by fire-spinners who lit up the crowd. At one point, I got so close I could feel the heat. The highlight, though, was when Intore dancers appeared. That blend of traditional and electronic feels uniquely local. Even if Afro house is still finding its place in Rwanda, Atmosfera made it feel like it already belongs. The fusion of old sounds with new energy hints at a limitless future for what’s yet to be created. Kenya’s DJ Afu took over past midnight, spinning amapiano and afro house until DJ Senshi closed out the night around 2 a.m. By then, the crowd had thinned, and I sat watching people stumble, some worn out from dancing, others from whatever their cups held. The vibe lingered like smoke in the air, refusing to leave with the last track. Atmosfera is more than a party. It’s an emerging movement built on rhythm, reinvention, and cultural ownership. If your kind of night out means booming music, nonstop dancing, good bites, and waking up sore in places you didn’t know could ache, then this one is calling your name.
