The winners for the third edition of Kiss Summer Awards were finally announced during an event held on September 12, at Kiss FM headquarters. The annual awards are organised by Kiss FM, a local entertainment radio station, to recognize artistes whose music made the difference through the summer time. Hosted by radio presenter Sandrine Isheja, the awarding ceremony was aired live on Kiss FM during a special talk show during which all the Radio station’s presenters were in attendance in the studio. The winners were recognised in five different categories namely Best Summer Producer, Best New Summer Artiste, Best Summer Artiste, Best Summer Song and Lifetime Achievement Award. After a month-long online voting process, artistes with the most votes emerged award winners from each of their respective categories, except the Lifetime Achievement Award which was handed over to DJ Bob as a person who made a contribution to support and promote Rwandan music over the past years. While local artistes would struggle to find a platform to share their music with their audience before the use of Social media evolved in Rwanda, DJ Bob showed his commitment in promoting their music through distributing CDs of their songs across Kigali and beyond. The final voting results saw Kevin Kade claim the Best New Summer Artiste, edging past trap musicians B-Threy, Ariel Wayz and Calvin Mbanda. Meanwhile, Bruce Melodie won the Best Summer Artiste award, overcoming tough competition from The Ben, Nel Ngabo and King James. The Best Summer Song award went to Mico The Best’s song ‘Igare’ after collecting most votes past Bruce Melodie’s ‘Saa Moya’, ‘Ntiza’ by Mr Kagame and Bruce Melodie, ‘Do Me’, which is a collaboration of The Mane Music Label queens Marina and Queen Cha and ‘Ubushyuhe’, another collaboration by DJ Pius and Bruce Melodie. Producer Madebeats beat Knoxbeat, Element Pro and Clement Ishimwe to win the competitive Best Summer Producer award. The producer had a hand in the audio recording for four of the five songs that were battling it out for the Best Summer Song. He is also the one who produced the award-winning song ‘Igare’. Each of the award winners walked away with a trophy prize, while winning artistes, Bruce Melodie and Kevin Kade, will automatically sign contracts with SKOL Brewery Ltd to perform at the brewer’s annual shows held during the festive season that is if concerts are given a greenlight to resume. Madebeats - Best Summer Producer award. Kevin Kade - Best New Summer Artiste. DJ Bob - Lifetime Achievement Award. / Courtesy pictures
