Rwanda witnessed an unprecedented musical spectacle as renowned gospel singer Israel Mbonyicyambu delivered an electrifying performance at his annual Christmas celebration concert, ‘Icyambu Live Concert.’ This event, held at BK Arena, marked a historic moment as Mbonyi became the first Rwandan singer to sell out the arena twice in a row. Let’s take a closer look at the extraordinary unfolding of this mesmerizing evening.
The anticipation and excitement were palpable as thousands of attendees flocked to BK Arena on December 25. The doors opened at 4 pm, and within an hour, a massive crowd had already gathered, eager for an unforgettable experience.
The festivities kicked off with the invigorating sounds of renowned gospel Deejay, Dj Spin, who skillfully set the stage and built anticipation for the main event.
At 6:50 pm, Mcee Yvan Ngenzi, a celebrated gospel singer known for his traditional style, took the stage. With infectious energy, Ngenzi led the audience in a joyous celebration of Christmas, seamlessly blending traditional dances into his performance.
The much-awaited moment arrived at 7:38 pm when Israel Mbonyi made a grand entrance, igniting the arena with his soul-stirring performance. His rendition of “Umusirikare” marked the beginning of a series of captivating performances that included well-known songs like “Yaratwimanye,” the Swahili version of ‘Baho’ (Uwe Hai), ‘Nzibyo Nibwira,’ and ‘Karame,’ among others.
At 9:30 pm, Mbonyi welcomed renowned pastor Julienne Kabanda to the stage. Kabanda delivered a powerful sermon on the significance of Christmas, captivating the audience with her reflections on the global celebration of this day.
Mbonyi returned for a second round at 10:05 pm, expressing profound gratitude and acknowledging the audience. He enchanted the crowd with a medley of songs, including “Mfite Umukunzi,” “Ibihe,” “Urukumbuzi,” “Uri Uwigitangaza,” “Urwandiko,” “Nitaamini,” and “Sinzibagirwa.”
The climax of the evening came around 11:10 pm when Mbonyi performed the much-anticipated “Nina Siri,” followed by “Hari’ubuzima.” The concert culminated with the soul-stirring performance of “Icyambu.” As the audience clamored for more, Mbonyi bid farewell but graciously returned for an encore, officially concluding the night at 11:45 pm with a second performance of “Nina Siri.”
The ‘Icyambu Live Concert’ transcended boundaries, drawing a diverse audience encompassing children, senior citizens, pastors, and musicians from both secular and gospel genres. It was a testament to Mbonyi’s ability to connect with people from all walks of life through his music, creating a memorable experience for everyone present.
Israel Mbonyicyambu’s unparalleled achievement at the ‘Icyambu Live Concert’ not only made history but also solidified his status as a musical icon, leaving an indelible mark on Rwanda’s cultural landscape.
