A year can feel like a whirlwind in the world of fame, where every achievement—or misstep—is magnified under the public eye. For its first issue of the year, SENS Magazine takes a deep dive into the movers, shakers, and faders of 2024—those basking in glory, caught in controversy, or simply fading from view.
Curated from whispers, headlines, and musings many of you probably share, here’s our take on who is hot and making strides in their fields and who’s fame or popularity is fading and who has been forgotten.
Hot: Bruce Melodie
Bruce Itahiwacu, known to fans as Bruce Melodie, continues to dominate as Rwanda’s biggest pop sensation. At 32, his star power has reached new heights. This year alone, Melodie completed a sold-out Canadian tour, hitting major cities like Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto. He’s also been busy forging international collaborations, working with Bien of Sauti Sol on “Iyo Foto”, Joeboy, and Blaq Diamond for the hit “Niki Minaj”.
Melodie’s star shone brighter on the global stage when he appeared in Netflix’s The Bahati’s Empire, a show about Kenyan hitmaker Bahati and his wife Diana. His U.S. debut alongside Shaggy on Elvis Duran and the Morning Show and Good Morning America further cemented his international presence.
The pair’s track, “When She’s Around” or “Funga Macho”, didn’t just dominate local charts—it debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart, a historic moment for Rwandan music.
Hot: Gratien Niyitegeka
From the comedy skits that keep Rwanda laughing to the big screen, Gratien Niyitegeka has cemented his place in the upper echelon of Rwandan entertainment. Known by many names—Papa Sava, Sekaganda, or Seburikoko—the 46-year-old continues to shine, even as fans speculate about his personal life.
Niyitegeka’s hit show Papa Sava, launched in 2018, boasts over 825,000 YouTube subscribers and now airs on Canal+’s Zacu TV. He has also added a new series, Shuwa Dilu, to his portfolio, captivating viewers on weekdays.
Beyond acting, Niyitegeka has become a sought-after influencer, collaborating with major brands like MTN, Canal+, and Ikubire Lotto. With a steady stream of projects and endorsements, it’s safe to say he’s at the top of his game.
Hot: Miss Shanel (Shanel Nirere)
Shanel Nirere is making a powerful comeback in 2024. The 39-year-old songstress, known for her soulful tunes, released her EP Uzaze, which may not have been a chart-topper but reaffirmed her place in the music scene.
Shanel’s reach extends beyond music—she’s deeply involved in creative projects and activism. This year, she represented Rwanda at events like The Music Imbizo 2024 in South Africa, Fête de la Musique 2024 in Botswana, and a cultural showcase at Mozambique’s Centro Franco-Moçambicano. She also graced the stage as a speaker at the Forbes Women Africa, a leading women summit, and shared her insights with leaders across the continent.
Hot: MORIOX Kids
The talented dancers from the Morioxkids Foundation have taken the internet by storm while championing a mission to uplift impoverished families through children’s talents.
Their TikTok account, Rwanda’s most-followed, boasts over 500,000 followers and 7 million likes, with additional strongholds on Facebook (over 1 million followers) and YouTube (227,000 subscribers).
The group, founded by Kayitare Steven and Shema Blaise, focuses on dance and singing as primary activities.
“Our mission is to assist children from impoverished families in achieving a better life through their talents,” one of the founders shared in an interview after going viral even as far as Armenia.
Faded: The Cat Babalao
Once a trailblazer in Rwanda’s blogging scene, Thecatbabalao has seen his star dim. Back in 2018, his Instagram videos garnered massive attention, but the ridicule now accompanying his content suggests his pedestal has crumbled. Despite amassing over 500,000 followers, his credibility has taken a hit. Critics have long questioned his anonymity, a shield he eventually lost, and his detachment from Rwanda—creating content about the country while living elsewhere—further eroded trust.
Today, his page feels like an endless stream of paid promotions, a far cry from the engaging and informative clips that once made him a sensation.
Faded: Charly na Nina
Once, a little over five years ago, the queens of Rwandan music, Charly na Nina—Charlotte Rulinda (Charly) and Muhoza Fatuma Nina (Nina)—crafted anthems like Indoro, Agatege, and Zahabu that dominated charts.
Fast forward to 2024, and the duo seems to have drifted out of the music spotlight. Their last release, Lavender, dropped in February 2022, before they relocated to the U.S. later that year for what was described as a business conference—one that turned into a permanent stay.
While the industry keeps evolving, Charly na Nina have largely stayed on the sidelines, with no new music to their name. Though their social media remains active with snapshots of their lives, fans can only hope for a triumphant comeback worthy of their earlier hits.
Faded: The Ben
Once hailed as a heavyweight in Rwandan music, Ben’s influence has taken a hit, marred by controversy and questionable choices. This year, his name surfaced in the prosecution’s case against vlogger Fatakumavuta, only for the singer to publicly advocate for the vlogger’s release, preaching forgiveness and growth.
Beyond legal drama, The Ben faced relentless criticism for his wardrobe choices, with fans calling out his stylists for mismatched and uninspired looks. The year’s most eyebrow-raising moment? His hairstyle decisions. Allegedly combating hair loss, he turned to hair extensions that sparked debate online, with one incident earning him the moniker “Indian” due to a misstep in styling.
Musically, he’s still drawing listeners. Tracks like SIKOSA, Best Friend, Plenty, and Ni Forever—featuring his wife, Pamella Uwicyeza—kept his name afloat. With a New Year’s show at BK Arena and a Canadian tour planned for 2025, The Ben remains a force. But the shine of his peak years seems harder to reclaim.
Forgotten: Active Again
Once a vibrant trio blending dance and Afro-fusion, Active Again—comprised of Derek Sano, Olivis, and Tizzo—seems to have lost its spark. Though 2024 saw the group reunite after multiple splits, their comeback single, Dada, struggled to make an impact.
While some members ventured into solo projects, none managed to capture the magic they held in 2014, when their hits dominated the scene.
As time passed, so did their influence. Today, their loyal fans replay old classics, but the new releases fail to resonate.
Forgotten: François Nsengiyumva “Igisupusupu”
François Nsengiyumva, known as “Igisupusupu,” once captivated audiences with his traditional folk-string melodies and breakout hit Mariya Jeanne in 2018. However, his star has faded. In 2024, the 44-year-old released just one track, Ikipe Itsinda, an anthem for RPF campaign rallies, but he didn’t even secure a spot among the performers at those events.
For someone who once shared the stage with Nigerian star Johnny Drille to thunderous applause, this decline is stark. Nsengiyumva’s peak included a national tour during the 2019 Iwacu Muzika Festival, where fans embraced him wholeheartedly. His fame took a hit following an alleged defilement case in 2021. By 2024, he’s absent from event posters, with his popularity reduced to a shadow of what it once was.
