From Compton to Kigali, the Move Afrika initiative seeks to connect cultures and more people through music and create opportunities.

The most anticipated music concert headlined by Kendrick Lamar finally took place on Dec. 6 at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. The event was the first part of a large-scale touring festival that is intended to expand across the African continent in the coming years until 2028.  Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free’s company, pgLang, curated the Move Africa festival in Rwanda.

The Move Afrika initiative which is essentially a Global Citizen Experience was created with the aim of creating jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities across Africa. The initiative seeks to spark investment interest within the local community, while involving local artists, vendors, staff and agents. The Rwanda version of the concert series was created in collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board which is a progressive institution that fosters such kind of partnerships.

Kigali plans to host the event every year for the next five years. New countries are added to the tour schedule each year, and the goal is to visit five countries by 2025. In the future the initiative will feature citizen-led advocacy campaigns calling on leaders to address issues across the continent, including climate change, food security and health care and all these facets are close to the heart of Compton born and raised hiphop revolutionary, Kendrick Lamar.

Kendrick’s deep connection to Africa, a continent that holds a profound place in his heart transcends mere admiration; it’s homage to his heritage and a conscious effort to bridge the gap between continents. His music often intertwines elements of African culture, from references to ancestral roots to collaborations with African artists, showcasing a profound love and respect for the continent. Through his artistry, Lamar highlights the interconnectedness of the African diaspora, uniting diverse cultural experiences while shedding light on shared struggles and triumphs.

Hailing from Compton, Lamar’s authenticity as an artist stems from his raw storytelling, delving deep into the complexities of African American life. His albums serve as powerful social commentaries addressing systemic injustices, inner conflicts and the African American struggle for equality. The Move Afrika project therefore, offers Kendrick and his team a bigger platform to close the gap and connect Black people through music in Africa and around the world.

It’s also worthwhile noting the role of the Rwanda Development Board as underscored earlier in making the initiative a success. From the Black Hot Fire’s experience touring Rwanda in 2019 and subsequent tours, the RDB is a truly unique partner giving support to partners who want to reconnect and invest in Rwanda and has been supportive of various local and international initiatives as better expressed on their official portal https://rdb.rw/