{"id":52468,"date":"2025-01-02T10:31:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-02T10:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/a-night-of-music-emotions-and-gratitude-at-the-ben-s-historic-concert-in-kigali\/"},"modified":"2025-01-03T10:31:41","modified_gmt":"2025-01-03T10:31:41","slug":"a-night-of-music-emotions-and-gratitude-at-the-ben-s-historic-concert-in-kigali","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/a-night-of-music-emotions-and-gratitude-at-the-ben-s-historic-concert-in-kigali\/","title":{"rendered":"A night of music, emotions and gratitude at The Ben&#8217;s historic concert in Kigali (Pictorial)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The concert, dubbed \u201cThe New Year Groove &#038; Album Launch\u201d, ushered Rwandans into the new year while showcasing The Ben&#8217;s third album, \u201cPlenty Love\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The Ben, ultimately achieved his dream of organizing a concert he had envisioned but couldn&#8217;t carry out in 2009 with a high attendance from his fans, an occasion marked with emotions and sheds of tears.<\/p>\n<p>The performance was organized in two segments with the first part featuring various artists he had collaborated with on songs, including Bushali, Tom Close, K8 Kavuyo, Otile Brown, Kivumbi King, Kevin Kade, Element Ele\u00e9eh, and others.<\/p>\n<p>Green P, The Ben&#8217;s sibling, joined the stage along with P-Fla and Fireman, his former Tuff Gang groupmates, to perform the song &#8220;Kwicuma,&#8221; honoring Jay Polly, a member of their group who passed away in 2021.<\/p>\n<p>Before The Ben took to the stage in his distinctive outfit, several upcoming artists were given the chance to showcase their talents. These included J-Sha, Phil Emon, Shemi, Yampano, and children from the Sherrie Silver Foundation. Attendees of the concert left mesmerized and satisfied with the music and performances.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79686 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2i1a0081-4-b6cbc.jpg\" alt=\"The night was filled with overwhelming emotion, the audience deeply moved by the significance of the moment.\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>It was a memorable experience, highlighted by standout performances and emotional moments. It featured a mix of The Ben\u2019s timeless hits and collaborations with various artists. Songs like &#8220;Amaso Ku Maso,&#8221; &#8220;Rahira,&#8221; and &#8220;Amahirwe Ya Nyuma&#8221; took fans back to the early days of his career.<\/p>\n<p>Special performances by artists like Kivumbi King, Kevin Kade, and Element Ele\u00e9eh added excitement, with Kevin\u2019s dance moves particularly captivating the audience.<\/p>\n<p>A heartfelt moment came when The Ben broke into tears while thanking his mother and supporters, expressing gratitude for their role in his success. This vulnerability resonated deeply with the audience, showcasing his genuine connection with his fans.<\/p>\n<p>Cultural pride was evident when &#8220;Naremeye&#8221; was performed alongside the traditional Itorero Inyamibwa dancers, blending Kinyarwanda dance with The Ben\u2019s artistry.<\/p>\n<p>The spiritual tone of the concert emerged during &#8220;Ndaje,&#8221; where he reflected on his gratitude for life, hinting at a future focus on faith-inspired music.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79687 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2i1a0158-3-af952.jpg\" alt=\"Special performances by artists like Kivumbi King, Kevin Kade, Element Ele\u00e9eh and others added excitement.\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Throughout the evening, notable guests like Otile Brown and Tom Close shared the stage, while Tuff Gang members paid tribute to the late Jay Polly with an emotional performance of &#8220;Kwicuma.&#8221; The night also featured crowd favorites like &#8220;True Love,&#8221; performed with a calm and reflective energy.<\/p>\n<p>The Ben\u2019s ability to blend nostalgia, culture, and spirituality made the concert unforgettable, solidifying his place as a celebrated icon in Rwandan music.<\/p>\n<p>Towards midnight, The Ben and Tom Close concluded the event with the last song, &#8220;Thank You,&#8221; a collabo between the two. They later sang a short rendition of &#8220;Genda Rwanda Uri Nziza&#8221; to express their gratitude to the country&#8217;s leadership.<\/p>\n<p>The night was filled with overwhelming emotion. The Ben, deeply moved by the significance of the moment, couldn&#8217;t hold back his tears, and the audience shared in his heartfelt moment, witnessing the raw emotions of a dream realized.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79688 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2i1a1133-41a0d.jpg\" alt=\"Cultural pride was evident when &quot;Naremeye&quot; was performed alongside the traditional Itorero Inyamibwa dancers, blending Kinyarwanda dance with The Ben\u2019s artistry.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79678 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2h6a0627-2-26ce5.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79679 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2h6a0631-2-7a004.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79680 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2h6a0638-29e3a.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79681 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2h6a0634-2-89697.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79682 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2i1a0004-2-af0dc.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79683 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2h6a0646-63de8.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79684 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2i1a0033-2-2fd30.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79685 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2i1a0049-04a95.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79689 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2i1a1145-7a0cd.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79690 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2i1a1151-76b1f.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79691 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2i1a9879-15c49.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79692 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2i1a9964-4-c4765.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79693 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2i1a9981-2-8b44c.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79694 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a1043-f32a6.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79695 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a0178-99469.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79696 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a1056-79d01.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79697 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a1072-09219_1_.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79699 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a1085-ef6ac.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79700 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a1116-ffac6.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79701 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a1146-6d585.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79702 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a1153-25f2b.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79703 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a1264-82cad.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79704 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a1269-a7cf2.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79705 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a1288-93a46.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79706 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a1292-f6e4a.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79707 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a1420-a8c16.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79708 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a1429-aa2c9.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79709 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a1430-40143.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79710 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2h6a0435-fd25e.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79711 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2h6a0446-3-c0f40.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-79712 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/2h6a0597-2-e4e89.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Household Rwandan musician Mugisha Benjamin, popularly known as &#8220;The Ben&#8221; or &#8220;Tiger B,&#8221; held a historic concert at BK Arena on New Year\u2019s day, where he performed before thousands of his fans and other Rwandans who came to witness the event.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":2000079676,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[75],"byline":[3135],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-52468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-homenews","byline-sam-k-nkurunziza-2"],"bylines":[{"id":3135,"name":"Sam K Nkurunziza","slug":"sam-k-nkurunziza-2","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default 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