Hip-hop fans kicked off November on a high as the second edition of Mic Tribe lit up Mundi Center on Saturday night. By 7 p.m., the DJ was already on deck, setting the vibe for early arrivals as anticipation built across the venue. The crowd poured in fast, ready for a night devoted to beats, bars, and the culture that fuels them. ALSO READ: From Brooklyn beats to Kigali dreams – US Hip-Hop icon Dana Dane finds a new rhythm in Rwanda Kenya’s BenaiA opened with a set that proved language is no barrier when rhythm hits right. His Swahili verses had the crowd moving from the first beat, a reminder of how East Africa’s rap scene continues to bridge borders. American-based rapper Swatara followed with a powerhouse performance alongside Congolese dance crew Invisible Kids. Their blend of sharp choreography and lyrical precision set off one of the night’s standout moments. Performing fan favorites like Alabama, Swatara left the audience buzzing. “It was new for me,” she told The New Times afterward. “I love seeing the connection between the continent and the diaspora. I’d love to see more variation in the expression.” She also touched on hip-hop’s broader image. “Mainstream media often boxes hip-hop into toxic stereotypes,” she said. “But we’re more than that. We’re storytellers, innovators, and phenomenal people.” The lineup kept the energy climbing. Maylo delivered a fiery set before Angell Mutoni, one of Rwanda’s rising stars, took over with effortless flow and crowd-commanding charisma. Trizzie Ninety Six amped things further ahead of Logan Joe’s explosive entry. His performance of Ndi Good had fans screaming every lyric, and when he brought RedInk and Trizzie back out for Ndikwirukanka, the venue erupted. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQh35DqjOpE/?igsh=Z2p2azAzam51cW1s Then came Kenny K-Shot, powering through Intare, Ibitambo, and Kantona with raw delivery and crowd-synced intensity. One of the night’s biggest moments arrived when Bushali hit the stage. The cheers were deafening before he even dropped a verse. Running through Imisaraba 4, Tugendane, and Ubute, he owned the stage before surprising fans by reuniting with Trizzie Ninety Six and Icenova for Story ya Cynthia and Nyagasani—a nostalgic nod to their Green Ferry era and the Kinyatrap legacy. Closing out the show, hip-hop heavyweight Bull Dogg proved why he’s still revered. From Cinema to Mpenkoni and Mood, his set sealed the night with a mix of grit, nostalgia, and lyrical firepower. Mic Tribe once again showed what happens when passion meets purpose—Kigali’s hip-hop scene is not just alive, it’s thriving.
