President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame attended John Legend’s concert, where the singer expressed his satisfaction and hoped that his audience was equally thrilled, given the unforgettable moments they shared.
The award-winning singer made these remarks
on the night of Friday, February 21, 2025, during his performance at the BK
Arena in Kigali. The concert was part of the Move Afrika tour organized by
Global Citizen. This marked the second time the tour reached Rwanda, following
Kendrick Lamar's performance in December 2023.
It was John
Legend's first-ever concert in Kigali and the East African region. "I’m so
impressed by how you express your joy," he said, emphasizing how special
the moment was for him.
The musician
highlighted that music and culture should merge to create a world everyone can
enjoy. The concert attracted a diverse audience, including President Kagame and
his family, a large number of youth, and many international residents living in
Rwanda.
John Legend
graced the stage wearing outfits designed by the renowned Rwandan fashion
brands Moshions and Tanga. He took a moment to appreciate their craftsmanship,
saying, "Thank you so much."
Throughout the
concert, Legend changed outfits twice and sipped water four times. He often
paused to interact with the crowd, even asking fans to turn to each other and
say, "I love you." Following
these words, he performed "All She Wanna
Do," encouraging the audience to dance along.
The singer also
expressed his joy at performing in Kigali alongside his wife. "I hope
she’s enjoying herself wherever she is," he said warmly.
To wrap up the
show, he performed hits like "Green
Light," his collaboration with Dr. Dre. After the song, he introduced
his band and backup singers, who had traveled with him to Kigali.
Legend closed
the night with his iconic song "All of
Me," followed by "Wild."
As he left the stage, he expressed gratitude: "Thank you so much, people of Rwanda. God bless you. I
appreciate you all."
John Legend,
whose real name is John Roger Stephens, was born on December 28, 1978, in
Springfield, Ohio, USA. He is a singer, songwriter, pianist, and actor known
for his mastery of R&B, soul, and pop music.
His breakout
hit "All of Me," released in
2013, became a global anthem, often played at weddings and romantic occasions
worldwide.
Throughout his
music career, Legend has won several prestigious awards, including 12 Grammy
Awards, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a Tony Award. He is one of the few
artists to achieve EGOT status—winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.
Beyond music,
Legend is a scholar. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a
degree in English and African-American Literature.
John Legend
married Chrissy Teigen, a famous model and media personality, in 2013. Together,
they have three children.
His debut
album, Get Lifted, released in 2004,
propelled him to international stardom and earned him his first Grammy Award.
In addition to singing, Legend is a highly skilled pianist, often playing the
piano in his performances. Many top artists worldwide have also featured him in
their chart-topping songs.
Apart from his
music career, John Legend is a passionate philanthropist. He actively supports
initiatives promoting education, fighting poverty, and advocating for human
rights.
During his
Kigali performance, Legend emphasized that his concert was not just about
entertainment but also about empowering youth through job opportunities and
innovation.
He concluded by
praising Africa's rich cultural heritage and reaffirmed his commitment to
contributing to the growth of African music and creative industries. His
popular songs include "Ordinary
People," "Green Light,"
and "Love Me Now."
President
Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame supported John Legend during his
historic concert at BK Arena
Ange Ingabire Kagame, the daughter of President Paul Kagame, was among those who attended John Legend's concert
John Legend
expressed his joy about performing in Kigali for the first time and praised the
warm welcome he received
John, 46 years old, took the stage
at 9:39 PM, opening with some of his classic songs
Author: Kubwimana Solange