The Terminator hitmaker arrived in Kigali on Wednesday night, May 14, and is set to headline the BAL halftime show during the opening clash between APR Basketball Club and Nairobi City Thunder at BK Arena on Saturday, May 17.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with IGIHE, King Promise reflected on his first visit to Rwanda during the Qatar-Africa Business Forum in November 2023, where he also performed.
This time, the Afrobeats star is eager to soak in more of Kigali's culture and connect with the local music scene.
'I had a good time. I went to see the gorillas, ate at some nice restaurants, met amazing people, and performed,' he recalled. 'This time I'm looking forward to doing even more… especially the BAL experience and performing for you guys at BK Arena. That should be sick.'
The singer, whose continental hits Tokyo (with Wizkid) and Terminator have made waves in East Africa, noted the growing support from Rwandan fans and teased new collaborative projects with African acts, including Element.
'I've worked with Rayvanny, Harmonize, Joshua Baraka, and even Sauti Sol in Kenya,' he revealed. 'I met Element in Tanzania, and we said we'd link up when I came here. Hopefully, something comes out of that. I'm down for collaborations.'
Element Eleéeh, born Fred Robinson Mugisha, is famed for producing hit songs for both local and international artists, including Bruce Melodie and The Ben.
Though King Promise admitted he's still getting familiar with Rwandan music, he expressed keen interest in discovering local talent.
'There's so much more across our borders,' he said. 'We should push our craft and collaborate more. The vibe and energy in musicâ€"that's what connects us.'
During the Nile Conference, King Promise will share the stage with Rwandan stars Ariel Wayz, Kivumbi King, and emerging Kigali rapper Kid, further strengthening the bridge between West and East African music scenes.
The BAL Nile Conference sees APR Basketball Club competing for one of two playoff spots, alongside Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya), Nairobi City Thunder (Kenya), and Made In Ball Basketball (South Africa). The playoffs are scheduled for June in Pretoria, South Africa.
Launched in 2019 through a partnership between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Basketball Africa League continues to merge elite sports and entertainment, drawing international stars like King Promise to its growing platform.
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), through its tourism initiative Visit Rwanda, is a Founding and Host Partner of the BAL, adding to Rwanda's growing reputation as a hub for sports and entertainment on the continent.
Watch the full video interview below.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
