Bruce Melodie Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Songs, Albums, Parents

Biography

Bruce Melodie, born Itahiwacu Bruce on March 3, 1992, in Kicukiro District, Rwanda, is a prominent Rwandan singer, songwriter, and music executive.

Known affectionately as Munyakazi and often called the “Young Rwandan King,” he rose to fame after winning the popular talent show Primus Guma Guma Super Star (season 8).

Starting his musical journey in church choirs and as a backup singer, he released his debut single, “Tubivemo,” in 2013 and has since become a leading figure in East African Afro-pop, R&B, Afrobeat, and soul music.

He founded Igitangaza Music Label and has collaborated with artists like Diamond Platnumz, Shaggy, Khaligraph Jones, and Sheebah Karungi. With hits like “Katerina,” “Pom Pom,” “Munyakazi,” and his 2023 debut album Colorful Generation, Bruce has built a strong regional and international presence.

Beyond music, he is a businessman, including co-owning a professional basketball team in Rwanda, and a father of two.

Rwandan singer, songwriter, and music executive
Bruce Melodie
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Itahiwacu Bruce
Stage Name:	Bruce Melodie
Born:	3 March 1992 (age 33 years old)
Place of Birth:	Kanombe, Kicukiro District, Kigali, Rwanda
Nationality:	Rwanda
Education:	Camp Kanombe Primary School, Rwamagana Islamic Secondary School
Height:	N/A
Parents:	Gervain Ntibihangana, Velene Muteteri
Siblings:	N/A
Spouse:	Catherine Umuhoza (m. 2015)
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	Eleéeh Itahiwacu Bruce, Azana Itahiwacu Bruce
Occupation:	Singer • Songwriter • Music Executive
Net Worth:	$1 million-$6 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Bruce Melodie, born Itahiwacu Bruce on March 3, 1992, in Kanombe, Kicukiro District, Kigali, Rwanda, grew up in a modest neighborhood there.

He is Rwandan by ethnicity, part of the Banyarwanda people, with no specific subgroup like Hutu, Tutsi, or Twa publicly emphasized, in line with common practice among Rwandan public figures. Raised in a Christian household, he developed his love for music early through singing in church choirs and Sunday school.

He is the second-born of four children to his father, Gervain Ntibihangana, and his mother, Velene Muteteri, who passed away in 2013. Details about his siblings remain private.

For education, he attended Camp Kanombe Primary School in Kanombe and later Rwamagana Islamic Secondary School.

These humble beginnings in Kanombe, supported by his family’s encouragement—especially his mother’s nurturing of his talent—shaped his grounded personality and dedication to music from a young age, including early experiences as a backup vocalist before his rise to fame.

Career

Bruce Melodie started his music career in 2011 as a backup singer, developing his talent in R&B, soul, Afro-pop, and later Afrobeat and Amapiano. He released his first single, “Tubivemo,” in August 2013 on his debut album Ndumiwe, then followed up with Ntundize in 2014 under Super Level Music Label.

His big break came in 2018 when he won season 8 of the Primus Guma Guma Super Star competition, which brought him national fame and the nickname “Young Rwandan King” or Munyakazi.

After his win, he launched Igitangaza Music Label as CEO and released several regional hits, including “Katerina” (2019/2020, with millions of views), “Munyakazi,” “Pom Pom” (with Diamond Platnumz and Brown Joel), “Sawa Sawa” (with Khaligraph Jones), “Katapilla,” “Saa Moya 7:00,” and “When She’s Around (Funga Macho)” (with Shaggy in 2023).

He has worked with well-known artists like Diamond Platnumz, Shaggy, Khaligraph Jones, Sheebah Karungi, Joeboy, Harmonize, and Bien-Aimé Baraza from Sauti Sol, helping him reach fans across East Africa and beyond.

Over the years, his management changed, including time with Cloud9 Entertainment in 2021 and later with 1:55 AM Entertainment under Coach Gael. In 2025, he released his first full album, Colorful Generation, showing his growth from releasing singles to creating a complete project with global ambitions.

Bruce has performed internationally, appeared on shows like Good Morning America, and won awards such as Best Artist at the Salax Awards and PGGS in 2018. Outside of music, he co-owns a professional basketball team in Rwanda and is a brand ambassador for companies like BK Arena and Primus, all while staying at the forefront of Rwanda’s music scene and aiming for a wider African and international audience.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Bruce Melodie
• YouTube: mBruce Melodie
• Instagram: Bruce Melodie Igitangaza (@brucemelodie)
• Facebook: Bruce Melodie

Personal Life

Bruce Melodie was born on March 3, 1992, and is currently 33 years old.

He is married to Catherine Umuhoza, his longtime partner, whom he first met in 2008 while still struggling to establish himself in the music industry long before fame.

The couple began living together around 2015, kept their relationship extremely private for years, and later formalized their union, with Bruce now openly referring to her as his wife and frequently praising her as “the most beautiful woman I know” and “the best mom” to their children.

They are the proud parents of two daughters, Azana Itahiwacu Bruce and Eleéeh Itahiwacu Bruce, born years apart, whom he has described as his greatest source of joy and motivation, while keeping most family moments out of the public eye.

Bruce’s exact height is not publicly disclosed or confirmed in any reliable sources.

Net Worth

Bruce Melodie‘s net worth is estimated at $1 million to $6 million. This figure reflects his earnings as a prominent Rwandan singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur, derived primarily from music sales and streams, live performances, major endorsement deals with brands like telecom companies (MTN, Airtel), mobile brands (Infinix, TECNO), and venues such as BK Arena (formerly Kigali Arena), as well as his business ventures including ownership of Igitangaza Music Label and co-owning a professional basketball team in Rwanda.

While some online sources and reports have suggested higher figures (such as $6 million in older or unverified claims), the more conservative, consistent estimate aligns with $1 million, reflecting his regional success in East African music without global superstar-level revenues.

As a self-made artist who rose from humble beginnings, his wealth continues to grow through ongoing projects, collaborations, and diversified income streams.

Discography

Studio Albums:

• Ndumiwe (released August 2013, his debut album featuring early track “Tubivemo”).
• Ntundize (released 2014 under Super Level Music Label).
• Colorful Generation (his highly anticipated debut full-length project in the modern era, released January 2025 under 1:55 AM label; a 21-track album including songs like Intro, Wallet, Oya, Narinziko Uzagaruka, SOWE, Beauty on Fire (feat. Joeboy), Energy, Kuki, Sinya, Nzaguha Umugisha, and others, distilled from over 200 recorded tracks).

Notable Singles and Hits

• “Tubivemo” (2013 debut single).
• “Katerina” (2019, one of his biggest regional hits with millions of views).
• “Munyakazi” (popular track and nickname reference).
• “Pom Pom” (feat. Diamond Platnumz & Brown Joel, 2026 release).
• “Sawa Sawa” (feat. Khaligraph Jones, 2021).
• “Katapilla” (2021).
• “Saa Moya 7:00” (2020).
• “When She’s Around (Funga Macho)” (feat. Shaggy, 2023).
• Other key singles include “Bado”, “Abu Dhabi”, “Kipotabo”, “Zanzibar” (with Harmonize), “Beauty on Fire” (feat. Joeboy), “Forever” (with DJ Neptune & Bayanni), “Iyo Foto”, “Hama”, “Niki Minaji”, “Ogera”, “SOWE”, “Kuba Nisindiye”, and earlier ones like “Uli Kungola”, “Embeera Zo”, “Ikinya”, “Fresh”, and collaborations such as “Hey Baby” (with Riderman), “Bon Appetit” (with Fik Fameica), and “Diana” (with Bahati).

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