A lot has been said about this year’s Primus Guma Guma Super Star (PGGSS 8), but whatever views people have out there, it doesn’t matter for Bruce Melodie, who emerged the winner after attempting his hands on it several times.
Fireworks and tumblers of beer dominated the skies at Private Sector Federation (PSF) Parking in Gikondo on Saturday, as thousands of music lovers reacted to the announcement that Bruce Itahiwacu, known by the stage name Bruce Melodie, was the winner of the 8th edition of the annual music contest.
Indeed as the night unfolded, Bruce Melodie was the favourite to win the top prize of the competition sponsored by BRALIRWA under its premier brand Primus.
A big section of the fans screamed his name from start to finish, making him the favourite to scoop the Rwf20million grand prize despite tough competition from 1st runner-up Christopher.
Christopher emerged the most popular artiste as voted for by the fans, beating Bruce Melodie and Young Grace to the Rwf15m prize money.
Through ‘Nta Kibazo’ hit chorus, Melodie dedicated the prize to his fans, his first-born daughter Britah and deceased mother.
"I would like to thank my fans for the great support. Finally, I am going to spend this night laughing. I was doing good music with limited resources, now that I got the money, I promise to give you the best music,” the singer declared to his fans.
Bruce Melodie attributed his successes to Christopher, who he said has always given him tough competition and always challenges him to do better.
"We grew up together in the career, without him I would not have been good enough to win this prize,” he added, pointing out that there is a lot in store.
The ‘Ikinya’ singer dispelled the notion that Guma Guma winners vanish from the music scene after getting the money, indicating that he intends to work even more, thanking fellow singer Uncle Austin for supporting him from the start.
The Afrobeat singer and radio presenter claims to have discovered Bruce Melodie around 2012. He was among those who congratulated him first.
"I would like to congratulate Bruce Melodie for the milestone. I did not bring him to the music scene to be better than him but because I thought he is good,” said Uncle Austin, who finished 4th, walking away with Rwf3.5million.
Bruce Melodie has been closer to winning PGGSS in the past but he lost out to Knowless Butera and Urban Boys in 2015, 2016 respectively.
Saturday’s finale was less hyped than the previous PGGSS finals but still people turned out in their thousands.
The MCs Buryohe and Sylvie crowned the contest as usual, while DJ Ira proved herself on the decks again.
It was Bruce Melodie to kick off the evening performances and he did not disappoint. The singer immediately fired up the crowd as he performed ‘Ntundize’, ‘Ikinya’ and ‘Ndumiwe’, a song that fully got the crowd involved.
As the crowd was still digesting Bruce Melodie’s performance, there were many more surprises in store. Rapper Khalfan, who was bidding for the prize for the first time, came on stage in a coffin carried, the shock of many.
As he opened the coffin, a white pigeon flew high, as he immediately stepped in to perform ‘Ibaruwa’, a collaboration with Yvery, then ‘Nabimenye ugiye’, another collaboration with Active, before he was forced by his boys into the coffin again and carried him away after his performance.
As the debate ensured over the coffin, Hip-hop singer Jay C, also a first time contestant, came on stage and performed ‘Sibomana’ and ‘Am back’, which features Bruce Melodie, before he left the stage for Christopher.
Christopher was among the favourites, also having come close to winning it in the past. He had a great performance of his songs including ‘Ijuru rito’ and ‘Hari Umunsi’ which earned him huge support from cheering fans.
Bruce Melodie’s fans attempted to dampen his performance but the ‘Birahagije’ singer reminded them that music is all about entertainment than rivalry.
Boy band Active of Olvis Mugabo, Derek Sano and Tizzo came next and dancing was the card they used to entertain the audience, while performing ‘Aisha’, ‘Rift and final’. Indeed their popularity earned them 3rd place, walking away with Rwf4million.
Afro Beat singer Mico the Best followed, surprising the crowd with a Hip-hop free style describing how hot and attractive the girl moving around him was. He was then performed ‘Arashotorana’, ‘Bizou’ and ‘Umugati’, a collaboration with King James.
Queen Cha followed and performed ‘Kizimya moto’, ‘Isiri’ and ‘Umwe rukumbi’, a collabo with Riderman, paving way to Just Family, who failed to convince the audience during their performance of songs like ‘Bareke’ and ‘Mureke agende’.
Despite coming in the contest for the first time, Uncle Austin received huge support from the audience, delivering a nice performance and let his songs ‘Everything’, ‘Ibihe byose’ and ‘Nzakwizirikaho’, known and danced by his fans around the venue.
Female rapper Young Grace came last on stage, dressed in suit, where she performed ‘Hello Boss’ and ‘Whisky ya Papa’ before a big number of fans started to sing ‘Melodie’, ticking him to win the grand prize no matter what.
After the performance the jury of Lion Imanzi, Aimable Twahirwa and Tonzi, and Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) took a short break to compile the final results after two-month road show performances in Gicumbi, Musanze, Rubavu and Huye until Bralirwa Managing Director Victor Madiela announced Bruce Melodie the winner, and handed him over a cheque of Rwf20 million.
Christopher on the other won another Rwf4.5million for finishing 2nd on top of the Rwf15million. Queen Cha finished 5th, getting a cheque of Rwf3million. Meanwhile, the five remaining contestants of the competition, Young Grace (6th), Mico the Best (7th), Khalfan (8th), Jay C (8th), Just Family completed the top ten, and walked off empty handed.
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