Rwanda’s music sensation, Bruce Melodie, marked a milestone on Saturday, October 21, as he became the first Rwandan artiste to clinch a Trace Award. He secured the coveted title in the “Best Rwandan Artist” category.

But that’s not all – Bruce Melodie didn’t just win an award; he also graced the audience with a stage performance that blended technology and music. During his performance, he collaborated with Jamaican-American reggae rapper Shaggy, who joined the act virtually.

Together, they presented the audience with a remix of Bruce Melodie’s single, “Funga Macho”, aptly titled “When She’s Around”. The single will be released on October 27.

Bruce Melodie expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm on his social media platforms, acknowledging the significance of his victory: “Celebrating a victory that resonates far beyond myself. This award is a tribute to the vibrant spirit of Rwandan and African music. Special thanks to Trace Awards, the Government of Rwanda, and everyone who played a part in this incredible journey.”

The accolades didn’t stop with the Trace Award; Nigeria’s Mr. Eazi, who himself was honoured with the “Change Maker” award at the Trace Awards, acknowledged and applauded Bruce Melodie.

He said, “I want to thank Trace, the Government of Rwanda, I want to thank people like 2baba, D’banj, Bruce Melodie, and everyone who has been motivating change. I’m going to leave by saying, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world’.”

Bruce Melodie is one of the leading figures on Rwanda’s music scene at the moment, with his music videos amassing millions of views and attracting over 200,000 monthly listeners across various music streaming platforms.