Alpha did the nation proud

The Rwandan flag once again flew high when the young, energetic and talented Alpha Rwirangira emerged winner of the third season of East Africa’s premier music competition, Tusker Project Fame. For almost eight weeks, Alpha’s name had turned into a household icon with parents and children keenly following his performance on different television channels. Indeed to keep the talented son of the soil in the competition, Rwandans once again exhibited solidarity by voting in big numbers for this rising star. Alpha has walked from the competition joining the class of young Rwandan millionaires. But most importantly, he gets the chance to begin a new career in the music industry courtesy of the one year recording contract he won with Africa’s most famous record labels, South African based Gallo Records. If we are to learn anything from Alpha’s astonishing performance, it is the music talent that most of our youngsters are sitting on. When Alpha and other Rwandans went into this competition, the perception from many, including many Rwandans was that none of these youngsters would ever cross the finishing line. In the other words, they were seen as the under-dogs in this competition. This was not because they lacked the talent. It was simply because their competitors from the rest of EAC come from a more exposed and versatile music industry than ours. Therefore Alpha’s outstanding performance opens a window of opportunity. Often the music industry in Rwanda has cried out for help and particularly showed concern over the issue of piracy on the market. To curb this vice, there’s need for legislation on intellectual property laws. The other important element is regulating the industry. This regulation can take the form of peer-industry regulation or statute regulation. The beauty about regulation is that it brings order to the industry. It also puts in place a coordinated structure, through which support from any circles can be channelled. Most important though, is that our corporate world should emulate what Tusker has done. Our local artists will never rise to the occasion unless Kigali’s major companies step forward to the front and provide significant sponsorships or sign contracts with our rising artists. Otherwise the talent is in abundance and for proving this, Alpha deserves a standing ovation. Ends

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Alpha did the nation proud