Rwandan music star The Ben is preparing to expand his annual New Year concert into a regional music celebration, bringing together some of East Africa’s biggest artists for a special performance in Kigali on January 1, 2027.

Dubbed “East African G.O.A.T,” the concert will take place at BK Arena as part of the third edition of The New Year Groove, an event that has become part of The Ben’s annual plans to welcome the new year with music and entertainment.

The upcoming edition aims to bring together leading musicians from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi, creating a platform for artists from across the East African Community (EAC) to share one stage.

Although the guest performers have not yet been announced, The Ben has expressed his ambition to assemble some of the region’s most celebrated musical talents. The full lineup is expected to generate further excitement as preparations for the event continue.

Beyond the concert, the singer is also preparing new music for his fans. He has indicated that he plans to release four songs before the end of 2026, including solo projects and collaborations with other artists.

The New Year Groove began on January 1, 2025, when The Ben celebrated the start of the year while promoting his album Plenty Love. The inaugural edition featured performances from Rwandan artists including Tom Close, Bushali, Kivumbi King and Kevin Kade.

The second edition took place at BK Arena on January 1, 2026, featuring The Ben alongside fellow Rwandan music star Bruce Melodie.

For the 2027 edition, The Ben is looking to build on that success by extending the concert beyond Rwanda’s borders and highlighting the region’s musical diversity.

The “East African G.O.A.T” concept reflects the ambition to celebrate influential artists and create opportunities for cross-border musical collaboration.

With the participating artists yet to be revealed, anticipation is building around what could become a major New Year entertainment event in Kigali, bringing together music lovers from Rwanda and across East Africa.

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