Nothing defines celebration better than the East African Party, and this is evident by the thousands of people who flocked the BK Arena on January 1 to welcome 2023. The MCs of the night were Rwanda’s very own Buryohe, Tessy and Anita Pendo. Music lovers were treated to non-stop entertainment at the highly anticipated show that featured local talent only, that is, Bruce Melodie, Afrique, King James, Okkama, Riderman, Ish Kevin, Platini P, Ariel Wayz, Nel Ngabo, Davis D, Alyn Sano and Niyo Bosco, among others. ‘Agatunda’ hit-maker Afrique opened the show with backup dancers, assisted by You Star Band, and performed his popular songs including, ‘Akanyega’, ‘Rompe’, ‘My Boo’, and of course, ‘Agatunda’. Okkama, who went on after, sang a birthday song for his mother who was at the concert, and then continued with other songs like ‘Iyallah’, ‘No'’, and ‘Weekend’ ft Yuhi MIC and Mistaek. Niyo Bosco, who also calls himself ’Music Machine’, put on an amazing performance. He started with ‘Ubigenza ute’ and then ‘Piyapiresha’, ‘Ishyano’ and more. 2022 Kiss Summer award winner, Alyn Sano, went on stage with her first song being ‘None’. She performed other songs including, ‘Say Less’, ‘Radio’, ‘Fake Gee’, and others. Davis D who had just performed in Burundi where he had a concert on December 31, was not deterred by fatigue and hit the stage where he performed for almost an hour. He sang ‘Ifarasi’, ‘Micro’, ‘Itara’, ‘Dede’ and many more. Trap and hip-hop have once again proven to be popular music genres in Rwanda. Rappers including Ish Kevin, Riderman, P Fla, and Fireman were shown so much love as fans rapped along. Ish Kevin was backed by rapper Ririmba and performed popular songs like ‘Clout’ ft Ycee, ‘Amakosi’, ‘Long Way’ and ‘No Cap’. Ariel Uwayezu, commonly known as Ariel Wayz, was backed by Symphony Band—which she used to be a part of—and sang ‘Away’ ft Juno Kizigenza followed by ‘Chamber’, ‘Good luck’ and others. Nel Ngabo performed songs like ‘Nywe’, ‘Fresh’, ‘Joli’ and others. The artist ended his performance with ‘Muzadukumba’, joined by Fireman as fans sang along from start to finish. He (Ngabo) also revealed that he has a new album coming out in February this year. Fireman used the opportunity to take a trip down memory lane and reminded Tuff Gang fans of the times the group had, while performing ‘Amaganya’ and said, “2023 we are going to do something big, thunder will strike.” Platini hit the stage with his recently released ‘Mbega Byiza’. The singer had backup dancers who put on quite a show. He also paid tribute to Yvan Buravan and Jay Polly by singing ‘Mumutashe’, a song by Dream Boys and Jay Polly. Riderman was accompanied on stage by rapper Karigombe and they performed ‘Cugusa’, ‘Mambata’, ‘Igicaniroo’ and others. Riderman was followed by King James, who was seemingly missed by many people, he sang ‘Birandenga’ and also ‘Ndagukumbuye’ with Ariel Wayz, a song they collaborated on in 2021. King James welcomed legendary rapper P Fla who was warmly received by fans of hip-hop music and performed ‘Nisubiyeho’. Afro-beat superstar Bruce Melodie closed the show. The Primus Guma Guma Super Star (Season 8) winner sang songs that included ‘Uzandabure’, ‘Henzapu’, ‘Nyola’, ‘Saa Moya’, ‘Funga Macho’, and others.
