Bruce Itahiwacu better known by his stage name Bruce Melodie was born and raised in Kanombe, Kigali. He is the last child in a family of four - two boys and two girls. 

The 23-year-old won the Salax Award Best R&B in 2013. Melodie is vying with nine other artistes for Primus Guma Guma Superstar Rwf24million grand prize. He is participating for the second time.

Primus Guma Guma Super Star is an annual Rwanda reality singing competition—started and organised by Bralirwa through its biggest mainstream brand - Primus. This is its 5th season and it ends on August 15, 2015. Previous winners are Tom Close, King James, Riderman and Jay Polly.

The aim of the competition is to bring together local artistes and engages the whole nation in an exciting music journey.

The Incwi star shared a light moment with The New Times’ Hassan Mutuhe

Excerpts;

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.

Video: Ntujy'unkinisha by Bruce Melody. Source: AFRIFAME/YouTube

What inspired your passion for music?

Growing up as a child, I loved music and enjoyed listening to Craig David. Being an artiste is not something that I bumped into. I grew up feeling that I should become an artiste and I can now say that I’m living my long-term dream.

How does your family feel about your career choice?

At first, they couldn’t understand why I wanted to be a musician. They felt I should choose a different career, something more ‘decent.’ But after realizing that I was passionate about music, they let me be. Now they are very comfortable with what I do and they are very supportive.

And your friends, what do they think about your career?

My friends were shocked. Some of them knew I loved music but they couldn’t see me being a musician. Others used to think that I was joking whenever I told them that I will become an artiste.

But now that I’m in the industry, they have come to accept and believe that I meant each and every word that I said back then.

Video: Incwi Official Video by Bruce Melodie ft Jamal. Source: ThePatycope/YouTube

Would you opt for something else now that you’ve seen what it requires to be an artiste?

I haven’t encountered anything that would convince me to quit being an artiste. It’s a tough career, yes. But so is everything else; there are challenges in a field that one chooses. Nevertheless, I haven’t reached a point of seeing myself do anything else. It’s a field that requires a lot of creativity, a lot of time and imagination, but it’s still an interesting occupation that I love doing.

So you are saying that you plan to be an artiste forever?

Absolutely yes! I will be singing till my last day on this earth.

To vote for Bruce Melodie, send SMS 2 to 4343.