On the final night of 2025, Rwandan music star Kevin Kade (born Richard Ngabo) didn’t just host a concert; he orchestrated a cultural milestone. The event, a celebration of his first five years in the industry, became a powerful testament to family, collaboration, and the explosive growth of Rwanda’s contemporary music scene. In a poignant moment, he publicly honored the foundation of his success: his parents.
Held on December 31, 2025, Kevin Kade’s headline performance was the centerpiece of Kigali’s city-wide ‘The Last Night’ New Year’s celebrations. This strategic alignment was significant—it signaled his evolution from a popular artist to a headline act capable of anchoring a major national event. The concert was more than a retrospective; it was a declaration of arrival on a grand stage.
Midway through his dynamic set, Kade paused to deliver a heartfelt acknowledgment that resonated beyond the music. “I thank you for the love you have shown me over the five years I have been making music,” he told the crowd. “I am especially grateful to my parents and siblings who came here to support me.” This public thanks highlights a crucial, often overlooked aspect of artistic success in many African contexts: the role of family endorsement. For an artist navigating a demanding industry, having parental support can be a vital source of stability and motivation, transforming a personal passion into a respected profession.
He then framed the night’s significance: “This evening is historic for me; it’s the night I call ‘The last night with Kevin Kade’. Let’s enjoy.” This phrase, “The last night with Kevin Kade,” suggested a symbolic closing of his first chapter, hinting at artistic evolution and new beginnings for 2026.
The musical journey was a masterclass in curation and collaboration. Kade performed his hits like ‘Mazi ya njanja’ and ‘Ndamutatamura,’ but the concert’s true magic unfolded through a series of strategic collaborations that mapped the landscape of Rwandan and East African pop. Calling on Chriss Eazy and Phil Peter for ‘Jugumira’ showcased the strength of domestic partnerships. The performance of ‘Bana’ with Shafi (originally featuring Chriss Eazy and Serèla) reinforced his role within a tight-knit creative community.
A defining moment was the arrival of Tanzanian Bongo Flava superstar Ali Kiba. Their joint performance of ‘BéBé’ was not just a crowd-pleaser; it represented a bridge between the Rwandan and Tanzanian music markets, elevating Kade’s profile through regional association and demonstrating the pan-African appeal of the event.
Critically, the concert was a celebration of the entire Rwandan music ecosystem. The lineup was a deliberate showcase of its diversity and depth:
- Shemi set the tone with an opening set of Afrobeat and soul-infused tracks.
- Mutoni Angela represented the rising force of female rappers breaking barriers in the industry.
- Artists like Bruce The 1st, Bushali, Ariel Wayz, and Bwiza illustrated the vibrant spectrum of genres, from hip-hop and R&B to Afro-pop.
- The legendary Riderman provided a link to different eras of Rwandan music, performing classics and collaborating with artists like Safi Madiba and Bruce Melodie.
The presence of high-profile hosts like Lucky Nzeyimana (RBA) and Zuba (Royal FM) further underscored the event’s mainstream media importance, ensuring the milestone was captured and broadcast to the nation.
In essence, Kevin Kade’s “Last Night” concert was a multi-layered success. On a personal level, it was a gratitude-filled career milestone. Artistically, it was a well-executed showcase of hit-making and collaborative power. Culturally, it served as a vibrant snapshot of a confident, evolving Rwandan music industry, ready to embrace the future. The night proved that Kevin Kade is not just a hitmaker but a unifying figure helping to chart the course for Rwandan pop on the continental stage.
