A festival finds a bigger home, a court appearance sparks debate about cameras and conduct, and an investigation abroad reaches its conclusion. Here are five stories that caught our attention this week. ALSO READ: Kigali on radar as Africa's next creative frontier Spinny & Friends moves up the calendar Kigali’s Spinny & Friends Summer Festival is coming back on July 18, after organizers moved the event up from its previously announced Aug. 8 date. This year’s edition is set for Gahanga Cricket Stadium, a larger outdoor venue that organizers say will give them more room to build on last year’s debut, which drew thousands of revelers from Rwanda and beyond. The festival is also expected to stretch beyond music, with sports-themed activities, fan engagement and live screenings of the FIFA World Cup third-place playoff and final. A court appearance, and the noise around it Journalist Valens Papy Ndahiro has pushed back on what he sees as growing chaos around court coverage, following singer Yampano’s June 2 bail hearing at Kicukiro Primary Court. Yampano, whose real name is Florien Uworizagwira, is facing six criminal charges, including assault, issuing threats and drug abuse. Ndahiro said the scene outside court was crowded with cameras and public commentary, adding to the pressure on a case that is still before the court. “I do not think I will finish this whole shoot. We’ll have to move places eventually, but today when Yampano appeared in court and got out of the car, the cameras were just too much,” he said. “These days, from what I’ve seen, anyone with a camera calls themselves a journalist.” “He covered his face largely because of the harassment he has been receiving from influencers. He seemed to hide out of unease,” Ndahiro said. “What troubles me most is that this was happening at a place that is supposed to represent law and order,” he said. “The cameras were creating a scene before anyone even got into court. It has gotten to the point where even a judge appears worn down by the commotion outside.” The ruling on bail is expected on June 5. Element Eleeeh joins Apple Music Up Next, launches “GENESIS” EP Element Eleeeh has been selected for Apple Music’s “Up Next” East Africa campaign, becoming the first Rwandan artiste to be featured on the platform’s emerging artiste spotlight. Announcing the feat, he described the moment as both recognition and responsibility, saying it reflects not only his own journey but the wider sound and culture coming out of Rwanda. “My art is big, bold, and intentionally disruptive. I’m not here to fit into what already exists, I’m here to stretch it, to question it, and to elevate it,” he said. He also announced a new project “GENESIS,” an EP that brings together all his releases since his debut. He described it as a reset point in his career, saying, “Meaning that we’re starting.” Burundian rapper B-Face announces engagement Burundian rapper B-Face has put an end to speculation surrounding his love life after announcing his engagement to longtime partner Ada Nevine. In an emotional message, B-Face described the engagement as the realization of a dream that had grown into a lifelong commitment. “What was once a dream has now become a promise,” he wrote. “What began as a question has become forever. Today, we begin a beautiful journey together. Your smile, your kindness and every moment we have shared led to one word: ‘Yes.’ Let our journey begin today. The wedding is coming soon.” Ashlee Jenae death ruled a suicide In Tanzania, authorities have closed the investigation into the death of American influencer Ashlee Jenae, whose legal name was Ashly Robinson, and said she died by suicide while vacationing in Zanzibar with her fiancé, Joe McCann. In a press release on Thursday, June 4, Zanzibar’s Deputy Director of Criminal Investigation, Zuberi Chembera, said investigators had concluded the activist died after hanging herself, and that the evidence pointed to mental distress. Reuters reported that police linked the case to a domestic dispute before her death, and said McCann was questioned but was not charged. ABC News and People both reported that Robinson was found at a luxury resort during the trip and that the case had drawn wide attention online as investigators worked through the details.
