ON THE COVER : Alpha Rwirangira

A few days ago, Alpha Rwirangira was just an ordinary Rwandan, but after winning East Africa’s premier music competition, Tusker Project Fame, he has been declared a superstar. His name has captured a lot of attention in the regional music industry. Paparazzi are running after him, his fans are scrambling for autographs, while corporate companies are busy trying to strike a deal with him. Like his name implies, Alpha is indeed N0.1. A simple, honest and friendly guy, Alpha says he does not really look up to a particular person but generally admires people who are kind and charming as well as creative and artistic. He is a sports fanatic and cites tennis, football, and athletics as his favourites. He also likes to sing and dance and has taught himself to play the guitar. Alpha has recently enrolled in a music school to hone his guitar playing skills. He is intelligent and hauntingly handsome. He is passionate, courageous and talented and deserves a shelf-full of awards. His attributes have now made him East Africa’s latest superstar. For Alpha’s sheer vocal ambition, he deserves a lot of praise. He was described once by his judges, during the TPF competition as bound to be a superstar, and brand ready to sale records in Africa and in the whole world. The 23-year-old is the third winner of East Africa’s premier music competition, following in the footsteps of Uganda’s Esther N. Mugizi and Kenya’s Valerie Kimani. He has earned himself a big name in the music industry, Rwf35million, and a one year recording contract with one of Africa’s most famous record labels, South Africa’s Gallo Records. Ends