SONG Ese nibyo Wigenda Zubeda Ikigeragezo si Karande Mbabarira Naratomboye Ndaje Akaramata Amayobera Igipimo Inkoramutima Mubwire Ngirira Ubuntu Cyubahiro Niwe Siwezi enda Ur’Intwari Yesu Wirira Agacecuru Ifaranga Ikiragi Usa na bikiramariya You Igikara Mazi Magari Nakutaka Ndarota Igikosi
ARTIST The Ben The Ben The Ben Theogene Uwiringiyimana Priscilla King James Aline Gahongayire Meddy Meddy Meddy Meddy Meddy Meddy Richard Nick Ngendahayo Richard Nick Ngendahayo Miss jojo Aline Gahongayire Massamba Kitoko Kitoko Kitoko Kitoko Kitoko Dr Claude Mani Martin Miss Shannel Miss Shannel Rafiki
CODE MTN 4275 4088 4085 4067 4091 3031 4009 3005 3003 3050 3023 3006 3007 3044 3043 3051 4021 4056 3036 4090 4093 4173 4069 3009 3010
CODE TIGO
1217 1718 1770 1604 1032 1078 1035 1683 1254 1085 1204 1206 1842 1031 1087 1219 1227 1082 1845 1843 1090 1736
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EDITOR’S WORD Ladies and gentlemen and all who care about entertainment or rather being entertained, welcome to the Blink Xtra, the AdMag where all entertainment business in the country resides in harmony. The answers you seek; “what’s up, what’s happening, what’s on, what’s new, where to hang out, what’s hot…” are conveyed and detailed inside in a unique and interesting style and manner. The content is a tight collaboration between information and entertainment that can be described in one word “Infotainment.” PUBLISHER Rukwirwa Andrea EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Charles Rwabagina ASSOCIATE EDITOR Tanya PHOTOGRAPHY Didier ART DIRECTOR Tony Tet
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MARKETING Rukwirwa Andrea, Banza Frank
We know most of you believe there isn’t much happening in Kigali or Rwanda in general apart from the buzz aired on radio, TV and the internet; a copy of Blink Xtra will prove otherwise. Pick your copy from your nearest store, bank, supermarket, airport or your favorite joint, at no cost whatsoever and you will discover Rwanda is not only alive but kicking too! To spice up the magazine, the Blink Xtra squad approached our music heroine, Miss Jojo, and sought to know what makes her tick. We have also featured the auspicious “Kwita Izina” ceremony for the generation of man’s distant cousins who, with all places on earth, chose to live in our country’s Virunga National Park. East or West, North or South, there is no place like home. Gorillas have known this truth from time immemorial! After nearly six years in the country’s entertainment industry, documenting and actually being part and parcel of its growth, rest assured, we know what you desire. Once again, we have crafted a new gem that is set to benefit both our readers and advertisers. It’s now quite clear; where we are headed, we need no roads but beware of imitators for they know little of the journey ahead. What’s in next month’s issue? Bet you can’t guess! Keep your eyes peeled!
BLINK MULTIMEDIA Remera, Rukili. Zone 10 No. 63 Tel: 0788 527 369, 0728 462 900 P. O. Box 647, Kigali- Rwanda. E-mail: theblink_hyl@yahoo.com theblinkmagazine@gmail.com
Charles N. Rwabagina Editor
COVER: UWINEZA Josiane aka Miss Jojo MAKE-UP & JEWELLERY: Her own
OUT & ABOUT
WHAT’S HOT THIS MONTH
Mondays
Hotel Mille Collines
Hotel Mille Collines
Fridays
NETWORK NIGHT
Contact: +250 252 576 530 Email: info@millecollines.net
Kigali Serena Hotel,
Hotel Mille Collines
Hotel Laico Umubano,
Enjoy Bbq brochettes
SALSA NIGHT
Papyrus Lounge, @2000 – 2400h
FREE GERMAN MOVIES KCB East African Rally Challenge Round 3 - Mt. Gorilla Rally Fri 4th: Flag off @ Amahoro Stadium, Remera from 2:30pm Action - Gahanga Quarry Sat 5th: Action - Kawangire & Rukara from 9:00am Sun 6th: Action - Kawangire & Rukara from 9:00am Finish & prize giving @ Amahoro Stadium from 5:00pm
Goethe-Institut
PLANET CLUB
LOCAL LIVE BAND
Contact: +250 783 780 037
Wednesdays PASTA GO-AROUND
Hotel Mille Collines All you can eat!
MONGOLIAN NIGHT
Kigali Serena Hotel, @1930 – 2200h Contact: +250 252 597 100
Hotel Laico Umubano @ 18:00 – 2100h Contact: +250 252 593 500
@1830-2300
LOCAL LIVE BAND @ 1800-2100h
PINCHO & PITCHER NIGHT
Hotel Mille Collines, @ 1730-2230h
RWANDA FOLK MUSIC & DANCE SHOW
Crystal View, Top Tower Hotel, @20:30-23:30h
Saturdays
AFRO FUSION LIVE BAND
Hotel Mille Collines Enjoy Bbq brochettes
LOCAL LIVE BAND
Hotel Laico Umubano, @ 1800 – 2100h
Sundays
SUNDAY CURRY @ LA PISCINE POOL BAR
Thursdays
Hotel Mille Collines
RESTAURANTS
Email : finaflamingo 1@yahoo.fr
INTERNATIONAL LIVE BAND WITH DASHA, PAPY & FRIENDS
ALINK CHINESE CLUB,
Rugando – Kimihurura - Kigali Mobile: +250 788625529, +250 750800888 Email: qingri@sina.com
BEIJING TANGREN RESTAURANT,
4159, Remera, Kigali Mobile: +250 7883 011583 Email: tangren-restaurant@hotmail.com
CAIMAN
Nyarutarama, one kilometre from Golf Club FLAMINGO CHINESE RESTAURANT,
Kimihurura, Kigali Mobile : +250 788 300 333 4
AFRICAN BUFFET & LOCAL LIVE BAND
Tuesdays
AFRO FUSION LIVE BAND
Fri 4th: K’ROCKADILES will “kRock” the night with Dj Bissosso spinning 80’s and 90’s rock disco. Buy 1 Get 1 Free Mutzig promotion on this night. Fri 19th: Mutzig tombola afterparty from 11pm till dawn. kigalipaparazzi.com website launch - performing will be The Ben, Just Family, Paccy, Lil G, breakdance battle between g4 Boyz and Street Machinery. Entry 3,000Frw Every last Friday of the month Black Blu Zungu. Entry 2,500Frw Every Thursday night Dj Kadir does his magic:
@ 1730 – 2230h
ROYAL GARDEN RESTAURANT,
Kiyovu, Opposite the National Bank of Rwanda, Tel: +250 788 500 073 Email: gardenroyal@yahoo.com
GREAT WALL CHINESE RESTAURANT
Kacyiru, Kigali Tel: +250 788 503 111
SHANGHAI RESTAURANT,
Kajangwe Avenue, Kiyovu. Tel: +250 788 599 995, +250 788 905 936
LALIBELA ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT,
Remera, Kigali Mobile: +250 788 519 155
FEATURE
KWITA IZINA 2010 is a big year for Rwanda’s favourite furry and friendly residents. Not only is it the official year of the gorilla, but the world will be watching as we celebrate the sixth annual Kwita Izina (Gorilla naming ceremony). Along with the naming of 11 baby mountain gorillas, the event will play host to this year’s World Environment Day (WED), celebrated annually on June 5th. Rwanda was selected by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) as this year’s host country for the 38th annual WED. Designed to heighten concern and awareness for international issues, the UN initiated the first WED day in 1972. Each year since them, WED has had a unique theme, and official events are held in a different host city. With thousands of events taking place in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, West Asia and Europe, World Environment Day is considered one of the largest environmental events of its kind. The UNEP selecting Rwanda to host this year’s celebrations speaks volumes about the country’s commitment to the environment and biodiversity. WED 2010 further confirms
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Rwanda’s role as a significant eco-province. This year’s theme, “Many Species, One Planet, One Future” emphasizes the frailty of the world’s wealth of species and ecosystems. The traditional Kwita Izina will be preceded by a week of activities and conferences focusing on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation awareness, with the traditional naming ceremony taking place on June 5, at the foot of the Volcanoes de Virunga mountains, Kinigi,Mutsanze in the Northern Province. UNEP Goodwill Ambassador and Hollywood actor Don Cheadle recently announced that he will join in WED celebrations in Rwanda. Cheadle is best known for his award winning role in the 2004 genocide drama Hotel Rwanda. For further information on the events leading up to WED and the Kwita Izina, please visit: www.rema.gov.rw/wed
COVER STORY
The first time
I met Josianne Uwineza, Miss Jojo to you, she was just another hardworking student and an ambitious artist. Three years later, she has a bachelor’s degree in literature and is one of top artists in the country – talk of dreams coming true. But, that didn’t just happen, creativity, hard work and determination are some of the key words she implemented along the way. Her latest sensational work “Siwezi Enda” a collabo with Kenyan artist DNG and produced by super producer Robert “R Kay” Kamanzi has elevated her standard and put her at par with other East African artists. She has dedicated this year to “growing up musically” because she feels “she’s not yet where she wants to be.” We caught up with the diva and had a candid moment... BLINK: What have you been up to lately? I’ve been busy working on my new album to be out by the first half of this year. I’ve only done four songs so far. I still got a long way to go. Creativity takes time. What is different about this album? There is a lot of grown up music in this upcoming album. I’m stepping up on every angle and I’m sure people will be surprised and amazed. What was the inspiration behind “Siwezi Enda?” Love, love and more love. People have misinterpreted this beautiful word. I just feel guys are becoming hopeless and joking around with love but we should know that without it, life is incomplete and unfulfilled. Funnily, I went to Kenya without a single lyric and wrote the whole song when I was there. Did Shanel’s song with Kenya’s Wyre have anything to do with the idea? Not really. I had the idea of working with R Kay long before Shanel
did her song. I think she just got the opportunity to go there first. How was your experience working with R Kay and DNG? R kay is a super producer. He understands music very well. I felt like I climbed a step higher by working with him and I was completely satisfied with the final product. DNG is humble and very supportive. We had great chemistry for the song. Last time we checked, you had a handsome dude in your life? (Smiling) Yeah, he’s here to stay. I’m not the kind of girl who likes jumping around I prefer a simple, quiet but healthy relationship. OK…word is he made you convert to Islam? I can’t say that is true but he
influenced me in a way. He acted as a window showing me what Islam is all about but the decision to join the religion was entirely mine and it was out of the respect I have for God. Will we be hearing anymore East African oriented songs from you? This is the way forward as far as my music is concerned. We need to work hard
and compete in a regional level. This will nurture us into great African artists. What else can we expect from Miss Jojo this year? Apart from my album, I’m planning to work on some collabos with a lot of local artists like Tom Close, Meddy and others. I’m also meant to go to Uganda and supposedly do a song with Michael Ross. Internet and social networks have become strategic marketing tools for artists. Are you being left behind? No, I’m definitely moving with the wave. Currently, my manager and I are considering a new marketing strategy which will be carried out by a professional team. I’ll soon be vibrant on facebook, twitter, MySpace, you name it!!
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COVER STORY
Where can we buy your music? In all Sound Africa studios, Nakumatt Supermarket and Tri-Star home video stalls. It’s that time of the year when we Rwandans commemorate the horrendous 1994 Genocide. What’s your word to Rwandans out there? The best thing in life is to be alive so, we shouldn’t just survive but live life accordingly. Myself I’m a survivor but look at me now, I’m really happy to be doing what I do. Everyone out there should cherish his/her own life, God has a good reason for us to be alive today.
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PARTING SHOT
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5 1. The Fanta Fiesta Launch Party @ Petit Stade – Amahoro on 28/05/2010 (Pictures courtesy of Igihe.com) 2. APE Rugunga dancers showing their dancing skills during the City Radio sponsored talent show @ Laico Hotel on 25/05/2010. 3. Upcoming kid rapper Babu going hard on the mic @ the same show. 4. Doing it the old and original way at the Minani Rwema Memorial & Album Launch Concert. A lot of artists and some fans came out at petit stade, Amahoro to show love and honour to the late artist. 5. Talented artist Jean Bosco Bakunzi launched his new studio, Uburanga Arts Studio with a showcase exhibition on 24/05/2010.
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