The musician shared his personal story, highlighting the difficult path he went through before his music was understood, accepted, and recognized as a full profession.

He made these remarks publicly while speaking on the second day of the 20th edition of the National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano), held at Kigali Convention Center on Friday, February 6, 2026.

Bruce Melodie explained that he was born and raised in a Christian family where prayer was a normal part of daily life, particularly within the ADEPR Church. When he began telling his family that he had a calling and dreams of becoming a musician, it was initially seen as something unusual and incompatible with the family’s religious beliefs.

He said, “When I told my family that I was an artist, they first prayed for me. They spoke in tongues. But they later realized that I was still determined.” This illustrates how music was then perceived as something worldly or inconsistent with a life devoted to serving God, especially in Christian households.

He went on to explain that a Ugandan neighbor once advised him to grow dreadlocks, telling him it would help him better fit the image of an artist. That decision was very poorly received by his family, especially his mother.

Bruce Melodie recalled, “When they saw it at home, my mother was deeply hurt and said, ‘Look at how demons have changed him.’ Being an artist was something they couldn’t understand; they would compare you to Sagihobe.” These remarks highlight the tension between society’s perception of artists and the reality of music as a professional career.

Despite all this, Bruce Melodie said he never gave up. He continued making music, working hard, and gradually building himself until people began to understand. His fan base grew, his songs reached far and wide, and his music increasingly gained recognition both nationally and internationally.

He emphasized that today, music is no longer viewed merely as a form of entertainment, but as real work, a profession that contributes significantly to national development, through job creation, nurturing youth talent, and promoting Rwanda’s image on the global stage.

Bruce Melodie’s message was well received by participants at the National Dialogue Council, especially young people and fellow artists, as it demonstrates that different talents can coexist with strong values, and that understanding may take time, but it eventually comes.

His story ultimately shows that pursuing one’s dreams requires patience, self-belief, and perseverance, even when those closest to you do not immediately understand your path.

Bruce Melodie’s music journey began with rejection in his Christian family but later gained acceptance through perseverance and success.