A famous US Hip-hop, soul and spoken word artiste Charyse Bailey and her band, Mahogany Jones-Live, are in the country to share their music experience.

Mahogany Jones is in the country.

Charyse Bailey, known by her stage name Mahogany Jones, and her band performed at the National University of Rwanda in Huye District, yesterday. On Friday, October 26, the band will perform at Petit Stade in Remera, Kigali, from 6:30p.m.

The two public events are free.

Mahogany Jones-Live brings together an eclectic blend of Hip-hop, Soul and Electro Pop to craft a sound that is intimate and soulful, yet assertive.

The music comes alive as elements of Hip-hop are deftly combined with live instruments to form a unique style and sound.

The artistes’ activities in Rwanda will include public concerts, master classes, lecture-demonstrations, workshops, jam sessions, media outreach, and collaborations with local musicians.

Mahogany, 34, and her band are in the country courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, through the American Music Abroad programme in partnership with the Association of American Voices and the U.S. Department of State.

The band’s trip to Rwanda is designed to share America’s unique contribution to the world of music and to promote cross-cultural understanding and exchange among nations worldwide.

After their Rwandan trip, the band will head to Uganda, Botswana and Ethiopia, where the artistes are expected to conduct workshops about Hip-hop for local musicians and the youth.

Mahogany Jones-Live band is comprised of vocalist Roslyn Welch of Memphis, TN of New Jersey, percussionist Lauren “L Boog” H Johnson of Detroit, Mixtape DJ Sean Blu of Augusta, GA radio fame and Pepsi Scratch Off/ DJ Battle Competition Semi-finalist.

Mahogany Jones’ experience in Hip-hop began in New York under the tutelage of Toni Blackman’s FreeStyle Union. This mentorship led to competing on BET’s 106 and Park Freestyle Fridays, where she left her mark as a 4x undefeated champion in 2001.

In 2004, the New Yorker made Metro-Detroit her home and began recording with The Yuinon, appearing on four compilation albums ‘The Prequel’, ‘Genocide’, ‘H.E.R Project’ and ‘The Sequel’.

By Bryan Kimenyi, The New Times