Acts to watch in 2013

As we begin 2013, Lifestyle Magazine’s Bryan Kimenyi looks at new and returning Rwandan musicians who are likely to make their mark this year. Some may not be entirely sparkly and new, granted. But this does not mean that they are not acts to watch in 2013.Christopher MunezaBarely out of his teens, this young man will complete his secondary education at the end of this year. But Muneza has already convinced music pundits in Rwanda that he’s got what it takes to be up there with the crème de la crème of Rwanda’s R&B music.This is the lad who served us with Iri Joro, one of the greatest hits of 2012. Muneza followed this with the equally hot Uwo Ninde and also recorded collabos with top-notch musicians like Knowless Butera and Tom Close. This shows that he has already been accepted by his more experienced colleagues. And it is a fair assumption that the young crooner will ride on this to make his mark in 2013. Bruce Melodie (real name Bruce Itahiwacu) At 20, Bruce Melodie has already won himself a huge following, thanks to his two hits so far, Tubivemo and Telefone, which received ample airplay on local radio stations towards the end of last year. And even though he has been somehow lost in his more famous brother Nasoon’s shadow, Melodie looks set to become a bona fide superstar in 2013. With his debut full-length album set for release mid this year, Melodie looks set to rule local radio airwaves throughout 2013. The album also features cameos from Bull Dogg and Ama-G The Black.Eddie Claude Mudenge, a radio presenter on Radio 10, says of the emerging star: “Bruce Melodie has a unique voice. If he keeps improving, he’ll become one of the best musicians in the region.”Ama-G The Black (real name Aman Hakizimana)Barely two years ago, many of us had never heard of him, let alone his music. But early last year, Ama-G The Black emerged as one of the best rappers of his generation. In fact, Ama-G The Black seems to be the only local rapper with the aptitude to give Jay Polly – who has for long been considered the king of local hip hop – a run for his money. Ama-G The Black lent his vocals to the all-stars song Bagupfusha Ubusa, which also features top rappers such as Bull Dogg, P-Fla and Danny Nanone. Despite the controversy that surrounded this song, Bagupfusha Ubusa was quite well received by Rwanda hip hop aficionados. Returnees News of Meddy and The Ben returning to Rwanda never dies. The two musicians who broke hearts of many a music fan (especially R&B fans) when they decided to leave Rwanda back in 2010 have always promised to come back to their motherland in vein. But 2013 seems to be the year when they’ll finally fly back home.Hits like Ni Njyewe and I’m in Love by Meddy and The Ben respectively kept their candle burning in 2012, and the duo should ride on this to stir thing up once again.