Shizzo, one of Rwanda’s established Hip Hop artists, said he did visit RIB but denied reports circulating on social media that he had been arrested or detained.
According to the rapper, he spent only a short period at the institution before returning home. He later took to Instagram to reassure his followers that he was safe and free, while thanking RIB and others involved in what he described as an opportunity to show him the right path to follow.
“I am peacefully at home and free. I thank RIB and everyone who played a role in working with us and showing us the right path we should follow.”
Shizzo said his message was intended to make it clear that being at RIB did not automatically mean he had been arrested or detained, despite what some people had started claiming online.
He also addressed those who had shared reports that he had been arrested, urging people to treat the claims with humor because, according to him, they did not reflect what had actually happened.
“I have nothing more to say. May God bless you all. As for those spreading lies, keep laughing at them.”
Shizzo Separates His RIB Visit From His Remarks About Rayon Sports Fans
The rapper’s appearance at RIB came shortly after he posted comments on social media criticizing some Rayon Sports supporters.
In the post, Shizzo used strong language, including referring to some fans as “fools,” which triggered a heated debate among some supporters of the Kigali-based club.
Soon afterward, videos showing Shizzo with other people circulated online. Some social media users linked the footage to speculation that he had been arrested.
Shizzo, however, insisted that his visit to RIB had nothing to do with the rivalry between football supporters or the teams they support.
“You don’t go to see an institution like that because of your emotions or because of the teams you support. There was another reason that brought me there, and I only spent part of the day there. It had nothing to do with Rayon or APR.”
He stressed that people should not automatically connect his earlier remarks about Rayon Sports fans with his visit to RIB, saying the reason for his appearance there was unrelated.
Shizzo Says He Was Surprised by the Rumors
Shizzo said he was surprised that the short time he spent at RIB quickly became a major story on social media. He explained that he did not spend an entire day there, yet some people had already begun celebrating reports that he had been arrested before the facts were clear.
“I hadn’t even spent a full day there, but some people had already started celebrating before everything was clear. Now, wait for the next thunder.”
His comments appeared to criticize those who quickly believed the reports and, in some cases, celebrated what they thought was his arrest without first finding out what had actually happened.
Shizzo also used the moment to share his views on how football supporters should handle arguments and banter. He said teasing and exchanging remarks between football fans is common around the world, particularly when supporters debate which team is better.
“Let me teach you something small. Football fan groups around the world exchange banter, and that is allowed. Imagine a Chelsea fan saying his team is better than Barcelona, while another says Barcelona is the best.”
According to Shizzo, joking about a football team or claiming that your club is better than another should not automatically become a source of serious conflict.
He used major European clubs as examples to illustrate how supporters can argue over their teams while keeping the rivalry within the boundaries of football.
“Unless someone has a problem or is not thinking properly, why would you make things worse just because someone said something negative about your team?”
In his view, football banter is one thing, while turning such comments into personal conflicts is something completely different.
Although he defended football banter, Shizzo acknowledged that there are limits people should not cross. He argued that the situation becomes more serious when people drag parents or other individuals into insults and offensive public statements.
“The thing that can get you into trouble is when you start bringing parents or other people into the insults and offensive things you say publicly. But talking about a Rwandan football team and joking about it? I will do that for the rest of my life.”
He therefore distinguished between freely discussing or joking about a football club and making offensive personal remarks about individuals or their families.
“I Have 99 Problems, But a Rwandan Football Team Isn’t One of Them”
Shizzo also made it clear that football rivalries are not among his biggest concerns in life. “I have 99 problems, but a Rwandan football team is not one of them. I have things I look back on with regret and many other problems, but you and your team are not among them.”
The rapper concluded by saying he would no longer respond to every person who attacks him or asks him about his previous comments. “I won’t respond to anyone anymore. Tomorrow, I will just read the stories you write.”
Shizzo’s Music Career
Shizzo is one of the Rwandan rappers who have been active in the local music industry for years. He has released several songs, including “Waki Waki,” “Wow,” a collaboration with Umutare Gaby, “Hold It Down,” “Ibugoyi,” and “Mama,” which he recorded with Aristide.
His YouTube channel was created on July 16, 2013, and features dozens of music releases.
Throughout his career, Shizzo has developed a reputation as an artist who is not afraid to express his views, whether about music, entertainment or other issues affecting society.
The latest controversy once again demonstrates how quickly comments made by public figures on social media can generate debate, particularly when they touch on football clubs with large and passionate fan bases.
For his part, Shizzo maintains that he is at home and free, and has urged people not to rush to circulate unverified information.
He said his experience at RIB helped point him toward what he described as the “right path”, while insisting that he should not be portrayed as someone who had been arrested, as had been widely suggested on social media.
