Are Trace Awards and Move Afrika Set to Return to Kigali?

This wasn’t the only first for Rwanda, as Tiwa Savage, Africa’s queen of music, also graced the Kigali stage for the first time after years of attempts to bring her to the country.

South Africa's rising star, Tyla, also left a mark on Rwanda’s music scene in 2023. Performing at the Giants of Africa festival in BK Arena, Tyla later attributed her success at the Grammy Awards to her time in Rwanda, where she felt a special connection with the crowd. 

In February 2024, she won the prestigious ‘Best African Music Performance’ Grammy for her hit song “Water,” which she revealed was inspired by her time in Kigali.

The year also saw the highly-anticipated Trace Awards taking place in Rwanda for the first time. The event brought Africa's biggest stars, including Davido, Yemi Alade, and Mr. Eazi, to perform in Kigali. 

The Trace Awards have become a key event for the promotion of African music, and rumors suggest that they might return to Rwanda in the near future, although no official announcements have been made yet.

Adding to the excitement, there are discussions that rapper Drake could be the next major artist to perform in Kigali. If confirmed, this would be another huge win for Rwanda’s growing reputation as a top destination for international events.

The music scene in Rwanda continues to grow, attracting global icons and boosting the country's entertainment industry. With major events like Move Afrika and the Trace Awards, Rwanda is steadily becoming a hub for African music and culture, setting the stage for even bigger achievements in the years to come.

President Kagame met with Global Citizen's Hugh Evans on December 6, 2023

World-famous Kendrick Lamar performed in Kigali for the first time

Will Kigali Music fans experience such joy again this year?