Kenyan Afropop star Bien-Aimé Baraza has set social media buzzing after sharing his excitement over meeting Paul Kagame during the star-studded 2026 NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles; a global spectacle that fused sports, celebrity culture, and diplomacy.
The singer, best known as a founding member of Sauti Sol, attended the NBA showcase alongside his wife and manager Chiki Kuruka, where he crossed paths with Kagame on the sidelines of the high-profile event. Clearly moved by the encounter, Bien took to social media to reflect on Africa’s narrative and leadership.
“Africa’s story has been written by others; we need to own our problems and write our own story. We cannot build a nation out of excuses. Thank you President @paulkagame for the inspiration. Always a deep honor and pleasure. ?? x ??”
His message quickly resonated with fans, sparking conversations about African leadership, ownership of narratives, and the power of cultural diplomacy.
The meeting unfolded during the 2026 NBA All-Star Game hosted at the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
This year’s All-Star festivities introduced a bold USA vs. World mini-tournament format — part of the league’s ongoing effort to reignite global fan interest.
Twenty-five elite players were split into three squads: Team World, Team USA Stars, and Team USA Stripes. The Stars and Stripes were coached by JB Bickerstaff and Mitch Johnson respectively, while Darko Rajaković guided Team World. The weekend also crowned a Slam Dunk champion, a 3-Point contest winner, and an All-Star MVP; delivering the high-energy spectacle fans expect.
On the sidelines, he engaged leaders in the sports and business world, including Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. Kagame was spotted interacting with high-profile global figures including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.