Shaggy keeps it real for Rwandans

Screaming fans who came from all over Kigali and perhaps other parts of Rwanda who thronged Stade Amahoro December 13 to for the Shaggy MTN 10th Anniversary concert, were not disappointed. So diverse were the fans that even the First Lady of Rwanda, Her Excellency Jeannette Kagame, did not miss the show. Other notables who attended included the Minister of Culture and Sports Joseph Habineza, Vice President of the Private Sector Federation, Faustin Mbundu, among others. For MTN Rwanda, there was no better way to thank long time customers for there ten year loyalty than a concert with one of the world’ s best Reggae artist, Shaggy known by both the young and old. And as the curtains came down and the celebration started at Stade Amahoro, there was no doubt that MTN has chosen the right man for the finale. Playing everything from Bombastic to Wasn’t me, Hey sexy lady, Angel, Keepin it Real, Repent, Strength of a Woman, Lucky day, there was no way anyone could not have a great time and stay seated. To screaming fans, he hit it off with Mr. Boombastic which he quickly followed up with 2008 release Bonafide Girl. He then did ‘his favourite’ song, Big Up, which he followed up with Wild Tonight. Seats were abandoned, lines that the police were manning were crossed and protocol was all but forgotten as fans welcomed the star in a manner befitting the reggae artiste he really is. The crowd threw their arms in the air, screaming on top of their lungs, and dancing themselves half lame. With his wild, seemingly unkempt hairstyle, the world’s self-claimed Mr. Lova Man performed a number of songs, including Angel, Would You Be and Wasn’t Me on which he requested lovers to deny if caught cheating. The US-based Jamaican star excited female fans when he did Strength of a Woman replacing some lines with ‘My African’ and ‘Rwandan woman.’ It was clear he gave his all although he had to sing non-stop to beat time. Songs such as Hey Sexy Lady, Church Heathen, In The Summertime, Why Me Lord, Lose Control, She is Mine, Repent and What’s Love, which originally features Akon, were big with the crowd. And at 12:40am—ten minutes past his two hour performing time—Shaggy who had performed an extra two songs and ended with a tribute to Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, further throwing the crowd into a wild trance. This was Shaggy’s first time in Rwanda but he did not hesitate to say it was a great reception simply because Rwandans knew how to party. “I have been to the Congo, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda where the people know how to party, but I was told Rwanda would be great and it is. The party here is great,” Shaggy told an excited crowd amid excitement. “I’m happy to perform in this beautiful and peaceful country,” confessed Shaggy to a crowd already intoxicated with his presence. Ends

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Shaggy keeps it real for Rwandans