Rwandan multi-award-winning musician Bruce Melodie on Saturday night, December 21, hosted a listening party for his latest album ‘Colorful Generation’ during which he sold copies for over Rwf25 million.
The ‘all-black’ listening party, held at Kigali Universe, attracted a host of celebrities, members of 1:55AM which manages the musician as well as his supporters who filled the venue to full capacity.
Notable attendees include Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe, 1:55 AM CEO Gael Karomba, alias Coach Gael, events promoter Joseph Mushyoma, musicians Kenny Sol, Ross Kana, Massamba Intore, Jules Sentore, DJs Phil Peter and Pius as well as producers Element and Prince Kiiiz and renowned video director Fayzo Pro who all contributed to the making of Bruce Melodie’s album, among many others.
Bruce Melodie’s new album comprises 17 songs and three bonus tracks. They include Wallet, Oya, Narinziko Uzagaruka, Maruana, Ulo, Colorful Generation (cover song of the album) and Beauty on Fire which features Nigerian star Joeboy.
Other tracks include Iyo Foto, which features former Sauti Sol star Bien, Diva, Niki Minaji (featuring Blaq Diamond), Rosa, Energy, Maya, Ndi Umusinzi ft Bulldog, Juu ft Bien, Sowe, and Kuki.
Bonus tracks are Nzaguha Umugisha, Sinjya and When She’s Around, the song that boosted the musician’s global reach after Jamaican star Shaggy was featured on the remix.
ALSO READ: Bruce Melodie&039;s 'When She's Around' ranks 8th on Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart
Backed by Symphony Band, Melodie staged a one-man performance whose playlist included all but not limited to the songs on the album as he would mix with some his greatest hits of the past including ‘Saa Moya,’ ‘Uzandabure,’ ‘Katapila,’ and ‘Bado’ among many others.
And one song that stood out on the album was ‘Rosa’ which he performed twice after several requests from revelers who had already loved everything about it, from the lyrics to the melody.
After a two-and-a-half-hour performance, MC Luckman Nzeyimana and his co-host said that the album is already up for distribution, a development after which a host of revelers placed their prices on first-come first serve copies from which Bruce Melodie collected over Rwf 25 million.
The album is available on pre-sale on Spotify at Rwf 1 million but people were allowed to buy it at as little as Rwf 300,000 right at the venue. Surprisingly, some were committed to placing much more than what was expected.
For instance, former Rayon Sports president Sadate Munyakazi and businessman Eric Rutayisire bought the album for Rwf 5,000,000 each while Nduhungirehe, promoter Mushyoma and musician Babo paid Rwf 1,000,000 for the album.
Nduhungirehe said he would pay even more for the album, saying that Bruce Melodie’s music is worth more than the price of his album.
"We can see the music that Bruce Melodie is doing. When you look at the kind music those stars from other parts of the world, you would wonder what they do better than him,” he said.
"I am committed to supporting Bruce Melodie and Rwandan artistes in general. Whatever music they do, it is our music,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ross Kana, who shares the same management with Bruce Melodie at 1:55AM, said he will pay Rwf10 million for the album given the fact that "he is the musician I grew up looking up to and his music has been so inspirational to my career.”
His pledge, however, sparked divided reactions among people who closely follow the music industry, with many insisting that the up and coming singer "did it just to impress the crowd.”
"I don’t think he is going to pay that money,” said one showbiz journalist who preferred anonymity. "He should even have done such a pledge.”
"I think it even discouraged some people who wanted to pay way lower than that sum,” he added.
‘Colorful Generation’ album will be out on January 17, 2025. However, people can proceed pre-sales via Spotify.