Dancehall’s global takeover reached new heights on January 3 when Jamaican heavyweights Mavado and Shenseea delivered electrifying debut performances at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, leaving thousands of fans buzzing long after the final note faded.
The much-anticipated concert, backed by Visit Rwanda and Skol, marked a major moment for dancehall music in East Africa. Announced by BK Arena and later confirmed by both artists, the show underscored the genre’s expanding influence across the African continent and beyond.
Ahead of the Kigali stop, Shenseea had already been soaking up the energy of the “Motherland,” touching down in Nigeria for the famed Detty December festivities. She stirred online excitement with a playful video in Nigerian Pidgin, announcing plans to hit Lagos and jokingly asking fans to bring her “gold, frankincense, and a rich man.” That same infectious energy carried straight through to Rwanda.
By the time doors opened at BK Arena, anticipation was sky-high. The night kicked off with strong local flair as Makeda and her dance crew took the stage alongside DJ Lamper, whose seamless mixes and commanding presence quickly turned the arena into a dancehall playground. Rwandan star Kivumbi King kept the momentum going, performing fan favourites like Kinkane and Wait while proudly waving the Rwandan flag.
When Shenseea finally emerged, the arena erupted. The Jamaican star had fans on their feet with high-energy performances of tracks including Hit and Run, repeatedly pausing to express her love for Kigali and the overwhelming crowd response. One of her standout moments came when she surprised fans by inviting rising Rwandan act Diez Dola and Ugandan singer Joshua Baraka on stage. Diez Dola’s viral hit Repete turned the arena into a synchronized dance floor, while Joshua Baraka’s Morocco saw the crowd sing nearly every word back to him.
Midway through her set, Shenseea shared a heartfelt message with fans, hinting at a return to Rwanda. “I really want to come back and perform again for you,” she said, adding playfully, “Tonight we won one award, and I need to come back with two awards.”
Before closing with Lighter, she asked fans to raise their phone lights in gratitude for making it into 2026. “If you give God all the glory, say, ‘I am blessed,’” she told the crowd. Joined by her dancers and members of the Sherrie Silver Foundation, the moment became one of the night’s most emotional highlights as the arena sang along in unison.
The concert ended on a powerful high with Mavado, who brought pure dancehall fire to the stage in his first-ever performance in East Africa. Delivering a high-octane set packed with new classics like Big Guns and Top Shotta Is Back, the dancehall legend had the entire arena locked into massive sing-alongs, closing the night with unmatched intensity.
As fans poured out of BK Arena, one thing was clear: January 3 will linger in Kigali’s entertainment memory as the night dancehall truly conquered Rwanda.
