Entertainment entrepreneur and businessman Gael Karomba, popularly known as Coach Gael, has addressed growing speculation about his professional relationship with singer Bruce Melodie, confirming for the first time that their original five-year contract has expired and that both sides are now discussing the future of their partnership. Coach Gael is the founder of 1:55 AM, the music label under which Bruce Melodie has spent much of his recent career, including international tours and the release of his 2025 album, Colorful Generation. His comments come after weeks of speculation online, much of it sparked by a cryptic post from Bruce Melodie on social media that read, “Coach akeneye Coach!”, loosely translated as “Coach needs a coach!” ALSO READ: Bruce Melodie, The Ben light up Rubavu in thrilling tour finale The post quickly attracted attention from fans and entertainment followers, many of whom interpreted it as a sign that the singer’s working relationship with Coach Gael was no longer as smooth as before. Bruce Melodie had previously dismissed suggestions of tension whenever journalists asked him about the matter. Online speculation was also fuelled by photos and videos showing Coach Gael alongside fellow artiste The Ben following the Summer Country Tour concert in Bugesera. Addressing the issue publicly for the first time, Coach Gael said no single artiste can be expected to carry an entire music industry and stressed that supporting a wide range of talent has always been central to his philosophy. “The industry cannot be built around one artiste. Whether we like it or not, there has to be diversity for the industry to thrive, and that is why I have to support all artistes, the music industry as a whole,” he said. Turning to the question at the centre of the online debate, Coach Gael confirmed that his agreement with Bruce Melodie was initially signed for five years and that the contract period has now elapsed. “Coming back to Bruce, there has been a lot of talk, with people asking about the state of our relationship, given that the years are up. We had signed a five-year contract, and if you count properly, five years have passed. Now we are at the point where both sides are sitting down to discuss what comes next,” he said. Rather than portraying the end of the contract as a split, Coach Gael described it as a natural point at which both parties must decide the next chapter of their partnership. “Whatever decision Bruce makes, we will support it. If things continue to go well, we carry on together, and if he chooses something else, we will accept that too, because we have never had a bad working relationship. My team is currently in talks with him to determine what comes next,” he added. He also praised Bruce Melodie’s contribution to their five-year partnership, describing their collaboration as one that would be difficult to replicate. “Let me send a message to Bruce Melodie: I appreciate him greatly. I don't think there is another artiste we could have worked with the way we have worked with Bruce Melodie over these past five years, and I think it will be hard to find another artiste we work with to this level,” he said. Bruce Melodie and Coach Gael began working together in 2021. Under Coach Gael’s guidance, the singer’s career expanded rapidly, with collaborations involving international artistes such as Diamond Platnumz, Joeboy, Shaggy and Bien, alongside major commercial projects. Asked whether 1:55 AM would seek to sign another established artiste should Bruce Melodie decide against renewing his contract, Coach Gael said the possibility remains open but stressed that his focus is increasingly shifting towards nurturing younger talent. “If Bruce leaves, that does not mean things will stop. We already have plans to develop young, talented children while they are still young, because building an industry requires many people,” he said. Coach Gael’s 1:55 AM has previously worked with artistes including Kenny Sol, Ross Kana and Element Eleeeh, several of whom have credited the label with helping expand their reach beyond Rwanda. Neither Coach Gael nor Bruce Melodie has indicated when a decision on a possible renewal will be announced.
