The list of leisure stores at Mundi Centre just keeps growing—bigger and better. Alongside the already delightful dining spot (La Cachette), the state-of-the-art gaming centre (Funky Monkey), and Rwanda’s first craft brewery (Kweza Brewery), there’s now a new addition—Depot 37, an all-arts centre.
Located between ENSO fashion store (on the right) and Jane Lily Ltd (on the left), this vibrant creative hub is undoubtedly the hottest thing in town right now.
Inside, you’ll find a spacious lounge, adorned with plush gold and grey sofas that invite you to relax and unwind. But the real excitement lies at the back—a hall with sleek black walls and elegant curtains, creating an air of mystery and sophistication. What seemed like an understated space transformed into a lively discotheque on the night of the JaBA opening party, held on November 23rd, 2024.
A warm-up event was held earlier in the week, giving guests a glimpse of what to expect on the big day. Three of the expected performers—Eric Soul, T.Roy, and Niny—each took the stage, promising to deliver nothing short of excellence come Saturday night. Olivier Costa, the visionary behind Mundi Centre, also took the microphone to discuss their collaboration with AFROGROOV and BROADCITE MUSIC UK to bring JaBA to Kigali.
He kicked off his speech with a humorous punchline about being “drunk” when he first accepted the proposal. But he also shared a deeper truth that resonated throughout Saturday night: magic.
“My vision for Mundi is that it should be magical. And we’re not going to make magic with everyday ingredients. We need craziness, risks, and adventure,” he remarked.
JaBA (Journey across Black Atlantic) is an ‘Afro-diasporic’ concept created by renowned Rwandan DJ Eric Kirenga, aka Eric Soul, and Ghanaian DJ T.Roy in the late 1990s in Brixton, London.
The concept blends identities shaped over centuries through vision and collaboration—expressed through music, creativity, and art.
“Centuries ago, colonists took people from the West Coast of Africa and spread them across the Atlantic to America and the Caribbean. These people moved back and forth, bringing tangible and intangible things—food, clothes, languages, and behaviors—that have influenced how Africans express themselves today,” explained Eric. He added that an Afro-diasporic fusion is the result of a mix of identities, built over time through collaboration.
Eric also noted that, in London at the time, the club scene and the DJ scene didn’t mix, with each genre having its own niche. But he realized that while Black people embraced American and Caribbean sounds, African music was largely overlooked. This inspired him to blend a variety of genres, unified by Black music, which he called ‘AFROGROOV’.
The movement spread like wildfire through Brixton, earning DJ Eric a night to remember.
“Brixton has always been a global reference point for what was happening in the clubland. The media, club promoters and the entire music scene heard about what I was doing and reached out. It was a pivotal moment working with the ‘YabbaFunk’ collective—a mix of Ghanaian, British, Scottish, and Caribbean people blending high life, calypso, funk, and jazz. It was loud, colorful, and full of energy,” he said.
His path crossed with DJ T.Roy, who was doing something similar with his own music imprint-BroadCite. The two teamed up and started creating events with a music policy blending African influences with DJ culture. By the mid 2000s, their movement had evolved, earning attention across London and beyond, to the UK, Switzerland, France, Russia, Sweden, Germany, and Holland.
In 2006, AFROGROOV made its way to Malawi via the Lake of Stars festival. “A UK promoter fell in love with Malawi’s landscape and curated a festival at the Lake, inviting me to perform,” Eric shared.
Meanwhile, DJ T.Roy was in Ghana, frustrated by how his fellow countrymen preferred foreign music over their own. Together with a team of Ghanaian and Nigerian creative entrepreneurs, they pledged to redefine this, founding an annual art festival-ASAABAKO. “We want Africans to own their sound,” said T.Roy.
Eric Soul and T.Roy’s mission to defend their identity and gain recognition in the Western world led them to hold the first-ever JaBA event in Johannesburg in 2019. They later brought the event to Kigali, Rwanda, where it consisted of creative talks, performances, and master classes.
This immersive event, which blends Afrofuturistic sounds with traditional influences, returned to Kigali on November 23rd, delivering an unforgettable experience to attendees.
Guests began arriving as early as 6:00 pm, even though the event was set to start later. From their impeccable attire to their palpable enthusiasm, it was clear they were excited for the night ahead.
The ushers were on point, greeting everyone with customized yellow JaBA wristbands and guiding them to the venue. A red carpet stretched from the entrance of Depot 37, through the lounge, all the way to the sleek, all-black hall where the party was in full swing.
Part of the interior was hidden behind elegant black curtains cascading from the ceiling. The remaining space was filled with sleek wooden bar tables and stylish bar stools.
One corner stood out with a large table full of drinks and cocktails, which guests eagerly enjoyed while mingling and dancing to energetic beats from the DJs, alongside the sounds of saxophonist Walter Sax.
At 10:15 pm, the curtains were drawn, unveiling the spectacular DJ booth that left everyone in awe. Positioned at the center, it was illuminated by dazzling LED lights in a cube-like formation.
On either side were slightly elevated black stages, set for a fashion runway. The entire setup, along with the sleek black walls and curtains, made for an even more dramatic atmosphere.
In our interview, Eric Soul expressed pride in his wide-ranging expertise—from consultancy and event management to writing, artist management, and mainstream media. But above all, he’s most passionate about being a DJ, and we’re certainly grateful for it.
From the moment he stepped behind the booth, Eric Soul effortlessly took control of the dancefloor, guiding the crowd on a musical journey that felt both nostalgic and fresh.
His charisma shone throughout the performance. He kept the crowd engaged with hype, eye contact, and a radiant smile that spread infectious enthusiasm.
T.Roy’s performance, which followed an hour later, was equally captivating. His track selections, including ‘Premier Gaou’ by Francis Mercier and Magic System, resonated deeply with everyone on the floor.
His seamless mixes and effortless transitions kept the energy high, knowing just when to drop the beat and switch tracks.
Not to be outdone, DJ Lydduh and DJ Niny, Kigali’s go-to party starters, delivered electrifying sets that had revelers entranced with rhythm and vibe.
The night reached dazzling heights as the microphone passed between T Roy, Eric Soul, and the dynamic host and MC, Muti Musa, whose charisma elevated the energy. In a standout moment, Muti exclusively performed his unreleased single Jemburu, produced by Rwandan producer Alyt Mx, adding a layer of exclusivity to the evening. Tying it all together, Water Sax’s improvisational licks enriched the ambiance, harmonizing live music with DJing, vocals, and lighting to create a truly immersive celebration of artistry.
As part of their mission, JaBA aims to build cultural bridges across continents and generations. This vision was embodied in the performances, with a group of dancers and models clad in ENSO Afro-Asian designs adding a fresh layer to the night, performing energetic routines that blended contemporary and traditional styles.
Based on the turnout, setup, and energy, it’s clear that a JaBA party is one you don’t want to miss. Saturday’s event was just the beginning, setting the stage for future Afrofuturistic experiences that will take place every two months. So, if you want to be part of the musically aware crowd—like Eric Soul puts it, people eager to discover music they never knew existed—prepare to be immersed in the full spectrum of African culture.
