It's my chance to win Guma-Guma, says Melodie

Bruce Melody cuts a humble look but once he starts to talk, his shy gaze makes him very endearing. The singer, real name – Bruce Itahiwacu grew up in a family that had a penchant for music. The 24-year-old R&B singer started his musical career doing underground collaborations. In 2012, Bruce was among the backup singers for the Primus Guma Guma Superstar season II competition which was won by King James. The same year, he signed a record deal with Unlimited Records, releasing, Tubivemo, a single that put him in the limelight – since then the singer has never looked back. Bruce is vying with nine other artistes for Primus Guma Guma Superstar Rwf24million grand prize in the 6th season, which ends on August 13, 2016. Bruce who is participating for the third time believes this is his last chance to win the coveted prize. Primus Guma Guma Super Star is an annual Rwanda reality singing competition organised by Bralirwa under its brand - Primus. The aim of the competition is to bring together local artistes and engage the whole nation in an exciting music journey. Previous winners are Tom Close, King James, Riderman, Jay Polly and Knowless. The Umutwe singer shared a light moment with The New Times’ Julius Bizimungu. Excerpt; Tell us about the memories from the three road shows (what did you take from there?) First of all I would love to say that people in Gicumbi district are so lively and enjoy music. They can never disappoint you at any time, and I appreciate the fact that they encouraged me and proved to me that it is possible to perform and engage even a huge crowd. On the other side, in Karongi people are quite not engaging like others in the districts where I have performed before. I learnt that you always need to go there when you clearly know what you are taking to them. Finally, the Kigali road show was successful. What I had planned to do is exactly what I did. I was excited to perform before people who understand and appreciate my music. How exciting was it to finally perform in these districts? It was awesome. I loved the fact that people in all the places we went to, turned up in big numbers to support their favorite artistes. This shows that Rwandans have started to appreciate local music. Bruce Melody. (Courtesy) As someone who has participated in PGGSS before, how is this year’s competition different from the previous seasons you have participated in? This year’s competition is certainly a tough one, with new fantastic entries—you can’t easily predict who’ll walk away with the top prize. But again, it’s a competition and we all want to win the grand prize. What is in store for Ngoma fans? I should say that I have been to Ngoma several times, so there will not be any surprise for them to see me. However, as an artiste, there’s always a lot that you plan to make a difference at every show you go to. Like you saw it in Nyamirambo I did rap, next time I may dance, play any musical instrument or anything else. It’s about creativity and being innovative. I have a lot in store, and I promise to do my best to entertain them. What strategies have you set to walk away with the top prize? This time round, I feel more confident than ever before. First of all, having had an opportunity to participate in this contest gives me encouragement—so I take this as a last chance. This is why I’ve dedicated a lot of my time to the contest not anything else. Suppose you never had a chance to be a singer, what else would you have done? I would have become a pastor. Pastors are an inspiration to many. And because I’m a religious person, I think I would have chosen to serve the Lord. But music, too, can inspire. To vote for Bruce Melody, send SMS 2 to 4343. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

Entertainment

It's my chance to win Guma-Guma, says Melodie