Musician Bruce Melodie has explained that the recent remarks in which he said he considers himself number one in Rwanda’s music industry are not a sign of arrogance, but rather a reflection of self-awareness and confidence in who he is, likening himself to a small country that can still see itself as the best despite being surrounded by bigger nations.
The artist, who has been prominent on the music scene for the past 15 years, made these comments during an interview with the media on Monday, December 15, 2025. He explained that he views himself as number one in Rwandan music [001] because of the confidence he has in his journey, comparing it to a small country on the world map that believes it can be the best at what it does.
Bruce Melodie said, “We are a small country surrounded by very big countries. But because we know who we are and understand our people well, we know that we are the best.”
He added that when a person knows who they are, they do not focus on the size of others but instead value their own worth. He noted that this is how he views Rwandan music: although it may not be as big as that of other countries, it has vision and the capacity to compete at an international level.
Bruce Melodie went on to say that his words were meant to inspire confidence and encourage Rwandans not to be afraid, emphasizing that Rwanda’s music industry has reached a good level and deserves to believe in itself.
The artist also spoke about The Ben’s concert, saying he appreciated the idea of being invited, as it gave him an opportunity to add his own “brick” to an event that had already been well prepared.
He said, “I liked the idea that The Ben reached out and asked us to take part, and in any case the concert was already going well in terms of preparation and everything else. There was nothing to stop me from adding my own brick as a Rwandan artist. Above all, we are all Rwandan artists, and entertaining people is what we do—we do it for the fans. So I am well prepared, and you will see on that day.”
He further stressed the importance of unity among Rwandan artists, noting that although each artist has their own space, they are all united by the goal of promoting Rwanda’s music and entertaining fans. Bruce Melodie said he is ready to bring joy at the concert where he will perform alongside other artists, and he urged fans to attend in large numbers to continue supporting Rwandan music.
