Frankie Joe to perform in Ottawa

CANADA-BASED Rwandan singer Frankie Joe is set to headline at the ‘Dutarame’ concert next month in Ottawa, Canada. The two separate concerts slated for June 21 and 28, are organised by Ottawa Rwandese Social Service in association with the Rwandan Embassy to Canada, to grace Empowering Rwandan Youth conference. The performances will feature various artists including Shanel, Daddy Cassanova, Lize, Neza Da Songbird and AK-Ronie. In an interview with The New Times, the ‘Diamond girl’ star promised electrifying and sensational performances to his Ottawa fans. The first concert will be held at 439 Queen Street Cathedral Hall and the second at KIP 5A6 down town Ottawa. Tickets will be sold at 420 Sparks Street. “If all goes as planed, I will come to Rwanda in August for the launch of my debut album ‘Alive to love’,” Frankie Joe said. The Calgary-based artist has had acclaim with hits such as ‘Rosine’, ‘Bubbly bubbly’, ‘Kipenda roho’ and ‘Diamond girl.’ Although for a long time the singer was not prominent in Rwanda’s R&B artists, his music career received a boost last year with several shows abroad. Frankie Joe’s successes are demonstrated by his performances alongside international acclaimed stars, like Canada-based Somali artist K’naan, whose ‘Waving flag’ was among official 2010 FIFA World Cup songs. But as a true East African, Frankie Joe also wants to connect with fans in the region – which explains his recent duet with Kenya -based Burundian hitmaker, Kidum, ‘Kipenda Roho’, which has lyrics in Kinyarwanda, Luganda and Swahili. Ends

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Frankie Joe to perform in Ottawa