Rwanda’s leading Afropop singer and performer, Bruce Melodie, has released a new single and music video for “Niki Minaji” featuring South African chart-topping duo Blaq Diamond renowned for their “Summer Yomuthi” hit record. The irresistible blend of Amapiano beats and captivating Afropop showcases Bruce’s signature R&B/Afropop sound with Blaq Diamond’s infectious style.
The new single is not specifically about Nicki Minaj the person, but more about what she represents as a symbol of beauty, confidence and allure. The message of the song is that his love for his partner is so deep, even someone as iconic as Nicki Minaj—or any other bold, sexy woman—feels irrelevant when compared to her. “I wanted to show that when you’re truly in love, no other person, no matter how stunning, sexy or bold they are, can compare to this one girl I adore,” Bruce Melodie shared regarding the new video shot in Kigali and directed by Jean Chretien Munezero.
I wanted to show that when you’re truly in love, no other person, no matter how stunning, sexy or bold they are, can compare to this one girl I adore.
Bruce Melodie
At the same time, Bruce Melodie is today announcing his forthcoming first full-length album ‘Colorful Generation’ scheduled for release in early 2025. The project features collaborations with African heavyweights like Joeboy on the lead track “Not A Lie”, Kenyan star Bien on “Iyo Foto” and international reggae /dancehall star Shaggy on “When She’s Around (Funga Macho)” a bonus track, as well as solo records that amplify Bruce’s golden voice and standalone talent.
Bruce Melodie’s upcoming album celebrates the diversity of African music with modern and traditional sounds while marking a new chapter in his career. Just like the album title suggests, Bruce Melodie aims to highlight the richness of African music, while pushing boundaries with his own sound.
Known for his captivating performances and global appeal, Bruce has rapidly become an influential figure in the East African music scene. His recent single, “Iyo Foto” featuring Bien, achieved remarkable success with over 100 million TikTok views and topped the charts across East Africa, holding #1 on Soundcity Africa’s East Africa chart and trending on Shazam in Kenya.
Bruce Melodie will be touring the continent in promotion of the latest singles and upcoming album, with stops already planned for South Africa (December 15-20), West Africa and East Africa, where he will host fun pop ups and listening parties to engage with industry stakeholders, fans and media.
Since July, Bruce Melodie has amassed 150 million streams worldwide, further solidifying his position as one of Africa’s most prominent musical exports. Following his recent win as Best Rwandan Artist at the TRACE Awards, Bruce’s upcoming release adds to an impressive year that saw his single “When She’s Around (Funga Macho)” with Shaggy hit Billboard’s World Digital Songs Chart and the U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart.
“Niki Minaji” collaboration with Blaq Diamond is a unique fusion of East and Southern African musical influences set to cross over the continent, further cementing Bruce’s growing influence as an African star to watch in 2025.
