The famous NEP DJs, consisting of Berto and Habz, on Tuesday, April 23, inked a two-year contract with the Rwanda Basketball Federation (Ferwaba), which makes them official DJs and music coordinators of the federation for the next two years.
During the signing ceremony held at the Ferwaba headquarters in Kigali, Rwanda, the two DJs expressed gratitude for such an opportunity that has never been offered to other music personalities, promising to bring great experiences full of vibes and good music to basketball courts.
According to Bertrand Kaysan Iyarwema, the Berto of NEP DJs, it is overwhelming to be the first disc jockeys signed by Ferwaba, which is very clear that Rwanda’s music industry is making a significant impact on basketball, among other sectors of life.
The NEP DJs have been, for over the past few months, the lead disc spinners for most of the basketball tournaments played in the country, including the Rwanda Basketball League and Genocide Memorial Tournament (GMT), among others. One of the main factors that earned them the job.
“We have been playing at different basketball events in the past, and it’s clear that music influences basketball. The contract is a big development that pushes us to go even bigger in making music and basketball meet,” Berto told the press after signing the contract.
He further emphasized that such an achievement should inspire other DJs that playing music can grow beyond clubs and pubs and, if used well, could make them a living.
“There is much more to be achieved with decks outside of bars, and this contract is a perfect example to encourage more DJs to get involved in healthy activities such as sports,” said Berto, adding, “This could as well curb the rise in alcohol consumption as part of the country’s Tunyweless campaign.”
FERWABA, through social media platforms, welcomed NEP DJs’ on board, saying that their task is to coordinate the entertainment aspect of their basketball events, ensuring an engaging experience for fans and players alike.
“Today, FERWABA has signed an MOU with Nep Djs, A 2-year partnership agreement. This collaboration aims to amplify the entertainment aspect of our basketball events, ensuring an engaging experience for fans and players alike,” the federation posted on x, formerly Twitter.
The NEP DJs are not the first local musicians to side with basketball. Artist Bruce Melodie, earlier this year, ventured into the sport by funding the local basketball team United Generation (UGB) in what he described as a “Music meets Sports in Rwanda” initiative.
The duo, also part of the Nep Family, a handful of sister companies under the umbrella of RG Consult, became household names through their solo events such as Rave Party, Up Town Sunday and many others.
