East African Promoters (EAP) has announced that six of the eight artistes who won the former Primus Guma Guma Super Star (PGGSS) competition will headline this year’s Iwacu Muzika Festival, scheduled to run from June 20 to August 1. The development was confirmed by EAP Chief Executive Officer and festival promoter Joseph Mushyoma during a pre-festival press briefing held in Kigali on Monday, May 18. The festival will take place across seven districts nationwide. ALSO READ: Humble Jizzo ramps up push for Urban Boys reunion According to Mushyoma, this year’s edition will bring together some of the artistes who played a major role in shaping Rwanda’s contemporary music industry over the past decade through the Primus Guma Guma Super Star competition. The confirmed artistes include Tom Close, winner of the inaugural edition in 2011, Riderman (2013), Butera Knowless (2015), Urban Boyz (2016), Platini P representing Dream Boyz (2017), and Bruce Melodie, who won the final edition of the competition in 2018. Another former winner, King James, will not be part of the festival as he is currently preparing for his concert scheduled for August 1. Mushyoma noted that although eight artistes had won the Primus Guma Guma title over the years, the number was reduced following the death of rapper Jay Polly in 2021. “There were eight artistes who won Primus Guma Guma, but after losing Jay Polly, we remained with seven,” Mushyoma said. “We also want to create a moment to remember the one we lost,” he added in tribute to the late rapper. According to the organisers, Butera Knowless will perform in Muhanga District, Riderman in Musanze, Urban Boyz in Rubavu, Platini P in Huye, Bruce Melodie in Ngoma, and Tom Close in Nyagatare. The seventh district and final artiste are yet to be announced. Besides performing, the artistes are expected to interact with fans by sharing their personal musical journeys and reflecting on the evolution of Rwanda’s music industry since the launch of Primus Guma Guma Super Star. The former PGGSS winners will join a lineup of artistes already confirmed for the festival, including Chriss Eazy, Bushali, Marina, Kenny Sol, Davis D, Kevin Kade and Ross Kana. Concerts are expected to run from 2pm until 3am in all host districts. Mushyoma also revealed that this year’s edition will feature upgraded production standards compared to previous editions, although he did not provide specific details during the briefing. Primus Guma Guma Super Star, organised by EAP in partnership with Bralirwa through its Primus beer brand, was one of Rwanda’s most popular music competitions, bringing together leading artistes to compete annually for the title and cash prizes.
