the lineup had initially been announced to include musicians  from Kigali, Shemi, and Angell Mutoni, the crowd was treated to unexpected appearances by two of Rwanda’s celebrated artists  Bushali and Alyn Sano.

Bushali, recognized as one of the pioneers of KinyaTrap music, made a surprise entrance on stage, sparking excitement and thunderous applause from the audience. Meanwhile, Alyn Sano, who attended the show to support Bensoul, delighted fans when she joined him to perform their recent collaboration Chop Chop, released just two months ago. Their joint performance highlighted the growing cross-border synergy in East Africa’s music scene.

Bensoul, who has previously worked with Rwandan stars The Ben and Ariel Wayz on his album The Party & The After Party, once again demonstrated his versatility as an artist who thrives in blending diverse sounds and cultures.

For Nviiri the Storyteller, this was not his first time in Kigali. In 2024, he graced the stage at a concert by Kivumbi King, also held at Kigali Universe. The 34-year-old, signed under Sol Generation Records founded by Sauti Sol, first rose to continental fame in 2019 with the hit single Extravaganza. Known for his Afropop, Soul, and R&B sound, Nviiri has become a staple name in African music.

The event further cemented Kigali’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s emerging cultural and entertainment destinations, regularly hosting large-scale concerts that bring together both local and regional talent.