Discover Bruce Melodie's biography, age, real name, Rwandan roots, hit songs, awards, debut album and journey from backup singer to East African star. Bruce Melodie is a Rwandan singer, songwriter and producer whose melodic Afropop has moved from Kigali church choirs to audiences across East Africa. Born Itahiwacu Bruce, he began as a backup singer, released his first song in 2011 and gradually built a catalogue led by records such as “Ikinya,” “Katerina,” “Saa Moya” and “When She's Around (Funga Macho).” His 2018 PGGSS victory made him a national headliner, while collaborations with Shaggy, Joeboy and Bien widened his regional reach. Fans can follow Bruce Melodie on his official Instagram profile and X account , or visit his verified XTRAfrica songs page for music and downloads. Who is Bruce Melodie? Bruce Melodie is the stage name of Itahiwacu Bruce, a Rwandan singer, songwriter and producer from Kigali. He progressed from church and backup singing to win PGGSS8, then expanded across East Africa through melodic Afropop, R&B collaborations and his 2025 debut album, Colorful Generation . Breakthrough: the PGGSS8 victory that changed his scale Bruce Melodie's breakthrough was not a single lucky audition. It was the result of returning to the same competition in a different role. In 2012, he appeared in Primus Guma Guma Super Star as a backup singer. Six years later, he entered as a headline contestant and won the eighth season. Rwanda Today reported that the July 2018 victory came with a Rwf20 million prize and followed a season in which he had been widely treated as the favourite. The win carried more than professional meaning. Bruce had been raised by his mother, who died in 2012, leaving him responsible for younger siblings. On the PGGSS stage, he connected the achievement directly to that loss: “I dedicate this to my late mum.” Bruce Melodie after winning PGGSS8, as reported by Rwanda Today That night changed the scale of his career. The national competition turned persistence into a public story: the former backing vocalist had become Rwanda's most visible winner. Creative roots: choir, family and Kanombe Itahiwacu Bruce was born in 1992 and grew up in Kanombe, Kigali, in a household with three siblings. Music entered his life at home and through church. In interviews, he has described singing in a choir before writing his own material. That foundation left a lasting mark: even his club-facing songs tend to place a clear vocal line and emotional hook at the centre. Continue Reading Full Article AFRICAN CULTURE Bruce Melodie Biography: Age, Songs, Awards & Rise By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Aug 20, 2026 Aug 20, 2026 12 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Bruce Melodie is a Rwandan singer, songwriter and producer whose melodic Afropop has moved from Kigali church choirs to audiences across East Africa. Born Itahiwacu Bruce, he began as a backup singer, released his first song in 2011 and gradually built a catalogue led by records such as “Ikinya,” “Katerina,” “Saa Moya” and “When She's Around (Funga Macho).” His 2018 PGGSS victory made him a national headliner, while collaborations with Shaggy, Joeboy and Bien widened his regional reach. Fans can follow Bruce Melodie on his official Instagram profile and X account , or visit his verified XTRAfrica songs page for music and downloads. Who is Bruce Melodie? Bruce Melodie is the stage name of Itahiwacu Bruce, a Rwandan singer, songwriter and producer from Kigali. He progressed from church and backup singing to win PGGSS8, then expanded across East Africa through melodic Afropop, R&B collaborations and his 2025 debut album, Colorful Generation . Breakthrough: the PGGSS8 victory that changed his scale Bruce Melodie's breakthrough was not a single lucky audition. It was the result of returning to the same competition in a different role. In 2012, he appeared in Primus Guma Guma Super Star as a backup singer. Six years later, he entered as a headline contestant and won the eighth season. Rwanda Today reported that the July 2018 victory came with a Rwf20 million prize and followed a season in which he had been widely treated as the favourite. The win carried more than professional meaning. Bruce had been raised by his mother, who died in 2012, leaving him responsible for younger siblings. On the PGGSS stage, he connected the achievement directly to that loss: “I dedicate this to my late mum.” Bruce Melodie after winning PGGSS8, as reported by Rwanda Today That night changed the scale of his career. The national competition turned persistence into a public story: the former backing vocalist had become Rwanda's most visible winner. Creative roots: choir, family and Kanombe Itahiwacu Bruce was born in 1992 and grew up in Kanombe, Kigali, in a household with three siblings. Music entered his life at home and through church. In interviews, he has described singing in a choir before writing his own material. That foundation left a lasting mark: even his club-facing songs tend to place a clear vocal line and emotional hook at the centre. His early professional period was far less polished. A 2013 profile in The New Times described him as a 21-year-old who had begun working as a backup singer roughly three years earlier. His first released song, “Tubivemo,” arrived in 2011. Access to studios, media and the internet was limited, and an early dismissive encounter with a DJ damaged his confidence. He continued anyway. The shortage of resources became a form of training. Bruce learned to shape melodies and produce because hiring established producers was not always possible. He also helped other singers arrange vocal ideas, which strengthened the skill that eventually supplied his stage name. Looking back, he told OkayAfrica : “I never went to music school , I learn by experience.” Sound and craft: building a catalogue by ear Bruce Melodie's strength is melodic adaptability. He can sit inside R&B, Afropop, Afrobeats or amapiano without abandoning the smooth, conversational vocal approach associated with his Rwandan records. Songs such as “Katerina” place romance inside an uncluttered pop frame; “Saa Moya” leans into rhythmic immediacy; and “When She's Around (Funga Macho)” uses a bilingual, cross-generational collaboration with Shaggy to connect East African pop and reggae. His method is practical rather than academic. Choir singing taught him how voices fit together, backup work trained his ear for supporting a lead, and self-production forced him to understand what a song needs beyond the microphone. That is why his credits as singer, songwriter, composer and producer belong to one continuous craft rather than separate job titles. ADVERTISEMENT In October 2023, S-Curve Records announced “When She's Around (Funga Macho),” produced by AJR and featuring Jamaican star Shaggy. Bruce described the session plainly: “Collaborating with Shaggy has been a dream come true.” The collaboration was important because it did not require Bruce to erase his musical identity. Instead, it positioned his melodic instincts within an international record. The same outward-facing strategy later brought collaborations with artists including Bien and Joeboy. XTRAfrica listeners can hear that direction on “Beauty on Fire” with Joeboy . Kinyarwanda, Kigali and East African identity Bruce Melodie's music is contemporary, but its identity remains Rwandan. Kinyarwanda lyrics give his songs intimacy at home, while accessible hooks allow them to travel across language borders. His sound also reflects Kigali's place inside a connected East African market, where Rwandan, Kenyan, Tanzanian and Ugandan audiences increasingly encounter one another through streaming, festivals and collaborations. Bruce does not present “African music” as one uniform genre. He brings a recognisably Rwandan melodic sensibility into conversations with Afrobeats, reggae and East African pop. In an interview with The Pit London , he explained the distinction: “I bring a blend of East African rhythms and melodies to the genre.” The 2019 single “Katerina,” his first English-language release, was an early test of that wider address. Later records moved more freely between languages and collaborators, but the goal remained consistent: make locally grounded music legible beyond Rwanda without flattening its origin. Personal journey: loss, responsibility and staying grounded Bruce Melodie's public story contains a difficult transition from dependence to responsibility. His mother's death in 2012 came while his career was still fragile. He had younger siblings to help care for, few guarantees from music and no established industry route to follow. The PGGSS8 dedication six years later revealed why that victory felt like more than a trophy. His album Colorful Generation carries another private response to loss. The song “Narinziko Uzagaruka,” meaning “I thought you would come back,” was written for his late parents. The record lets memory enter through music. Verified interviews illuminate its emotional source without requiring unsupported claims about his wider family or relationships. He has said that time with family and close friends keeps him grounded, and OkayAfrica described him as a father of two. His public ambition is large, yet the discipline behind it remains ordinary: writing, recording and rehearsing. Key events in Bruce Melodie's career timeline Year Event Significance 2011 Released “Tubivemo” Marked the beginning of his recorded catalogue 2012 Appeared in PGGSS as a backup singer Introduced him to the competition he would later win 2017 Broke through with “Ikinya” and joined Coke Studio Africa Expanded his audience beyond Rwanda 2018 Won Primus Guma Guma Super Star season eight Established him as a national headline artist 2019 Won Salax Best R&B Artist and Best Male Artist Confirmed his strength across Rwandan popular music 2023 Released “When She's Around” with Shaggy and won TRACE Best Rwandan Artist Joined international collaboration with continental recognition 2025 Released Colorful Generation Delivered his 21-track debut studio album 2026 Released “Détail” and toured Rwanda with The Ben Continued his catalogue while reinforcing his live audience at home ADVERTISEMENT Awards, Colorful Generation and the continental turn The years after PGGSS turned Bruce Melodie from a competition winner into a durable recording artist. At the 2019 Salax Awards , he was the night's biggest winner, taking Best R&B Artist and Best Male Artist. In October 2023, Rwanda's official development board recorded another milestone: he won Best Rwandan Artist at the TRACE Awards , held in Kigali before an international broadcast audience. His debut album took longer. Colorful Generation arrived on 17 January 2025 through S-Curve Records. The Apple Music listing identifies a 21-track, 64-minute project. Bruce told OkayAfrica that the final sequence was selected from about 200 songs recorded over three years. The title reflects his intended audience: young people whose differences are visible rather than hidden. The album moves between solo storytelling and cross-border records. Bien appears on “Iyo Foto,” Joeboy on “Beauty on Fire,” and Shaggy on “When She's Around.” “Intro” provides the project's opening statement and is also available through XTRAfrica's song and lyrics page . The breadth is deliberate, but the album's strongest thread is Bruce's voice reflective and built around hooks that survive changes in production style. Bruce Melodie's emerging impact Bruce Melodie's impact is most visible in the route he has made plausible for Rwandan pop: local-language success, national competition dominance, regional collaboration and international label distribution can belong to the same career. His 2017 Coke Studio Africa appearance made him the first Rwandan musician to participate in the franchise, according to Music In Africa. His TRACE win then placed Rwandan recognition inside a continental awards event staged at home. Streaming also shows a genuinely East African audience. His Spotify profile had 224,453 monthly listeners in July 2026. Third-party Spotify analytics placed Nairobi ahead of Kigali among his leading cities, with Dar es Salaam and Kampala also prominent. Those figures fluctuate, but the geography supports what the collaborations already suggest: Bruce is a Rwandan artist whose active market crosses the region. His example values apprenticeship: backup singing, choir practice, self-taught production and repeated competition were the career before fame arrived. What comes next after “Détail” Bruce Melodie's latest verified solo single is “Détail” , released on 13 May 2026. The track follows the larger world of Colorful Generation with a concise Afro-fusion record centred on romantic observation. Earlier in the year, “Pom Pom,” featuring Diamond Platnumz and Brown Joel, supported an international media tour through East Africa and Europe. At home, he and The Ben announced a 2026 country tour with dates in Musanze, Nyagatare and Bugesera. The partnership joined two major Rwandan voices and showed that international expansion need not replace domestic touring. Bruce has also spoken with unusual directness about the scale of his ambition: “My dream is not just to be an East African artist, I want to be a global superstar.” Bruce Melodie in OkayAfrica The next chapter depends on how consistently new releases convert that ambition into audiences outside the region. What is already clear is that Bruce Melodie is no longer approaching the world as an unknown. He is doing so with a substantial catalogue, a national awards history and a debut album designed as a continental introduction. Frequently asked questions about Bruce Melodie Trending Now Kenya, China Sign Deal for 80 Off-Grid Solar Systems . Energy and Power Kenya Ebola: Five Patients Discharged, 52 Contacts Monitored . Public Health Alerts DRC Opens London Forum Seeking Partnerships, Not Aid . | Economy Kenya's Rironi–Naivasha Highway: 90% Earthworks, December Target . Transport and Logistics Popular Today Justice & Crime Trump Moves to Remove Rwanda and South Africa From AGOA . Justice & Crime Rwanda Accused of Deporting Congolese Civilians in South Kivu . War in DR Congo Tshisekedi: Sanctions Forced Kagame to Pull Kabila From His Cave . Biography Claudette Mukashyaka Biography: Rwanda’s New Auditor General . War in Eastern DRC US Senators Urge NBA to Review Rwanda Ties Over Congo War . ADVERTISEMENT What is Bruce Melodie's real name? His birth name is Itahiwacu Bruce. He performs professionally as Bruce Melodie. How old is Bruce Melodie? Bruce Melodie is 34 years old as of 19 August 2026. Most public references give his birth date as 3 March 1992. Where is Bruce Melodie from? He is from Kanombe in Kigali, Rwanda, and is a Rwandan national. When did Bruce Melodie start making music? He began as a choir and backup singer before releasing “Tubivemo” in 2011. His professional catalogue therefore dates from 2011. What was Bruce Melodie's breakthrough song? “Ikinya” became his first major musical breakthrough in 2017. Winning PGGSS8 in 2018 then elevated him to national-headliner status. Which competition did Bruce Melodie win? He won season eight of Primus Guma Guma Super Star in July 2018, six years after appearing in the competition as a backup singer. What are Bruce Melodie's biggest songs? Popular songs include “Katerina,” “Saa Moya,” “Fou de Toi,” “Katapilla,” “Iyo Foto” and “When She's Around (Funga Macho).” His exact streaming rankings change over time. What is Bruce Melodie's latest album? His latest and debut studio album is Colorful Generation , released on 17 January 2025 with 21 tracks. Which major artists has Bruce Melodie worked with? His collaborators include Shaggy, Joeboy, Bien, Diamond Platnumz and Brown Joel. Which awards has Bruce Melodie won? His major verified honours include PGGSS8 in 2018, two Salax Awards in 2019 and TRACE Best Rwandan Artist in 2023. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Justice & Crime Trump Moves to Remove Rwanda and South Africa From AGOA Trump plans to remove Rwanda and South Africa from AGOA trade benefits starting January 1, 2027 . Justice & Crime Rwanda Accused of Deporting Congolese Civilians in South Kivu South Kivu accuses Rwandan forces and M23 of forcibly displacing civilians in Katogota, . War in DR Congo Tshisekedi: Sanctions Forced Kagame to Pull Kabila From His Cave The DRC president accuses Kagame of using Kabila's new rebel leadership to disguise Rwanda's role in... . Biography Claudette Mukashyaka Biography: Rwanda’s New Auditor General Her economics education, banking audit career and appointment to lead Rwanda’s public-finance watchdog. . Tags Rwanda Rwanda Bruce Melodie Bruce Melodie

Listen to Naima Kay songs, MP3 downloads, lyrics, and latest Afro-jazz hits from the South African music artist. Naima Kay South African Afro-Jazz Singer ZAF Afro-jazz SAMA Newcomer of the Year (Umsebenzi); Metro FM Music Awards Best Female Album (Ngiyavuma) Naima Kay s' Top Xtrafrica Songs

Listen to Vusi Nova songs, MP3 downloads, lyrics, and latest Afro-pop hits from the South African music artist. Vusi Nova South African Singer ZAF 333K Spotify Afro-pop, Soul SA Afro Music Awards Best Afro Album (2017); Metro FM Awards Best African Pop Album (2017); SAMA Best Engineered Album (2019); SAMA Best Afro Pop Album for NguMama (2021) Vusi Nova s' Top Xtrafrica Songs Asinilibelanga Vusi Nova . Uloyiko Lwami 2.0 Brilliant Baloyi .

Congo’s economy is projected to reach $123B in 2026, overtaking Ethiopia and reshaping Africa’s economic rankings amid rising global demand for minerals. The Democratic Republic of Congo is on track to become sub-Saharan Africa’s fifth-largest economy in 2026, overtaking Ethiopia, according to a Bloomberg report . This marks a significant turning point in the continent’s economic landscape. According to projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the DRC’s economy is expected to reach $123 billion this year, slightly ahead of Ethiopia’s estimated $122 billion. This would place Congo behind only South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, and Kenya, firmly positioning Kinshasa among Africa’s top economic powers. At the center of this momentum is Congo’s mining sector, a cornerstone of the global energy transition. As the world’s leading producer of cobalt and a major supplier of copper, the DRC is increasingly becoming indispensable to global supply chains, particularly in the battery and clean energy industries. Rather than remaining a passive exporter, the country is now leveraging its mineral advantage to attract strategic partnerships. Investments from both Western and Asian players, including major US-backed initiatives and large-scale lithium projects led by international firms, are accelerating exploration and long-term value creation. The country’s recent $1.25 billion Eurobond issuance , its first-ever entry into international capital markets, further reinforces this shift. This move that reflects a renewed level of trust from global investors, positioning the DRC as a credible actor in international finance. At the same time, the Congolese franc has shown notable resilience, appreciating by over 25% against the US dollar over the past year, a rare trend in a region often marked by currency volatility. While the DRC benefits from strong commodity demand and currency stability, Ethiopia is navigating a more complex adjustment phase. The liberalization of its currency in 2024 led to significant depreciation, and ongoing external pressures, including energy supply disruptions, continue to weigh on its economic environment. Despite Ethiopia’s strong growth projections, structural pressures have impacted its short-term positioning. The IMF forecasts the DRC’s economy will grow by 5.9% in 2026, slightly below Ethiopia’s higher growth rate, but the broader picture tells a different story. REGIONAL ECONOMY DRC to Overtake Ethiopia as Africa’s 5th Largest Economy By Neema Asha Mwakalinga Travel & Culture Expert Neema Asha Mwakalinga Home Comment Apr 17, 2026 May 15, 2026 3 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: The Democratic Republic of Congo is on track to become sub-Saharan Africa’s fifth-largest economy in 2026, overtaking Ethiopia, according to a Bloomberg report . This marks a significant turning point in the continent’s economic landscape. According to projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the DRC’s economy is expected to reach $123 billion this year, slightly ahead of Ethiopia’s estimated $122 billion. This would place Congo behind only South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, and Kenya, firmly positioning Kinshasa among Africa’s top economic powers. At the center of this momentum is Congo’s mining sector, a cornerstone of the global energy transition. As the world’s leading producer of cobalt and a major supplier of copper, the DRC is increasingly becoming indispensable to global supply chains, particularly in the battery and clean energy industries. ADVERTISEMENT Rather than remaining a passive exporter, the country is now leveraging its mineral advantage to attract strategic partnerships. Investments from both Western and Asian players, including major US-backed initiatives and large-scale lithium projects led by international firms, are accelerating exploration and long-term value creation. The country’s recent $1.25 billion Eurobond issuance , its first-ever entry into international capital markets, further reinforces this shift. ADVERTISEMENT This move that reflects a renewed level of trust from global investors, positioning the DRC as a credible actor in international finance. At the same time, the Congolese franc has shown notable resilience, appreciating by over 25% against the US dollar over the past year, a rare trend in a region often marked by currency volatility. While the DRC benefits from strong commodity demand and currency stability, Ethiopia is navigating a more complex adjustment phase. The liberalization of its currency in 2024 led to significant depreciation, and ongoing external pressures, including energy supply disruptions, continue to weigh on its economic environment. Trending Now Tshisekedi Champions Peace, Jobs and Africa’s Voice in Moscow . Politics & Diplomacy M23 → AFC → FRN: Has Anything Really Changed? . Justice & Crime Kagame's Failed Justifications for His Military Presence in the DRC . Justice & Crime From AFDL to FRN: Analysts Question Rwanda's Rebel Rebranding . Justice & Crime Popular Today Politics & Diplomacy Tshisekedi Champions Peace, Jobs and Africa’s Voice in Moscow . Justice & Crime M23 → AFC → FRN: Has Anything Really Changed? . Justice & Crime Kagame's Failed Justifications for His Military Presence in the DRC . Justice & Crime From AFDL to FRN: Analysts Question Rwanda's Rebel Rebranding . Peace For DRC Now DRC Takes Rwanda Compliance Dispute to UNGA Over Resolution 2773 . ADVERTISEMENT Despite Ethiopia’s strong growth projections, structural pressures have impacted its short-term positioning. The IMF forecasts the DRC’s economy will grow by 5.9% in 2026, slightly below Ethiopia’s higher growth rate, but the broader picture tells a different story. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Politics & Diplomacy Tshisekedi, Netanyahu Deepen DRC–Israel Economic Ties Tshisekedi and Netanyahu agree to deepen DRC–Israel economic and security ties . Job & Opportunity UNICEF Hiring Partnerships Manager P-4 in Kinshasa UNICEF is hiring a Partnerships Manager P-4 in Kinshasa. Check qualifications, eligibility . Job & Opportunity Engen DRC Opens 12-Month Youth Talent Programme Graduates in Kinshasa and Grand Katanga can apply until September 30, 2026. . Peace For DRC Now Tshisekedi Launches DRC National Dialogue for Peace and Reform The three-month process will reach all 26 provinces and seek consensus on peace, cohesion and . Tags Featured News Featured News DR.Congo DR.Congo Felix Tshisekedi Felix Tshisekedi

Listen to Samthing Soweto songs, MP3 downloads, lyrics, and latest Afro-pop hits from the South African music artist. Samthing Soweto South African Singer ZAF Afro-pop, Amapiano, Soul 2020 South African Music Awards Best Afro Pop Album (Isphithiphithi) Samthing Soweto s' Top Xtrafrica Songs

Listen to Nyboma songs, MP3 downloads, lyrics, and classic Soukous hits from the Congolese music artist. Nyboma Congolese Singer Congolese Soukous, Congolese rumba Nyboma s' Top Xtrafrica Songs

Listen to Mocco Genius songs, MP3 downloads, lyrics, and latest Bongo Flava hits from the Tanzanian music artist. Mocco Genius Tanzanian Singer, Songwriter and Producer TZA Bongo Flava, Afro-pop Mocco Genius s' Top Xtrafrica Songs Mwingine Dr Chemical .

Listen to Shaffy songs, MP3 downloads, lyrics, and latest Afropop hits from the Rwandan music artist. Shaffy Rwandan Singer RWA Afro-soul, Afrobeats, R&B Shaffy s' Top Xtrafrica Songs Ninde Shaffy .

Police are hunting gunmen after separate shootings in Wedela and Lwandle killed 27 people and wounded 26 in South Africa. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Police are searching for gunmen after two separate shootings near Johannesburg and Cape Town killed 27 people and wounded 26 within hours, according to the South African Police Service. The attacks happened in different provinces and police have not announced evidence connecting them. Investigators also had not confirmed a motive or made arrests by the latest official updates. Police said eight armed men attacked a tavern in Wedela, Gauteng, killing 17 people and wounding 15. Hours later, multiple gunmen opened fire at a venue in Lwandle, Western Cape, killing 10 people and wounding 11. Separate provincial teams are investigating. The first attack occurred at about 9:30 PM South Africa time on Saturday, 26 September, at a tavern in Extension 3 of Wedela, in Gauteng's West Rand District. South African police said eight unidentified men arrived carrying rifles and pistols. The police account says the attackers first fired at patrons outside, then entered the tavern and continued shooting. Emergency workers declared 13 men and four women dead at the scene. Fifteen other people with gunshot wounds were taken to medical facilities. Police said some patrons were searched and had mobile phones taken before the gunmen fled in two vehicles. Two other vehicles were burned during the incident. Those details form part of the police account and do not establish a motive. The Gauteng investigation includes 17 murder cases, 15 attempted-murder cases and two property-damage cases, according to Al Jazeera's report based on the police statement . Ten killed hours later in Lwandle Continue Reading Full Article JUSTICE & CRIME South Africa Shootings Kill 27 as Police Hunt Gunmen By Kamau Bahati Entertainment Editor Kamau Bahati Home Comment Sep 27, 2026 Sep 27, 2026 3 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Police are searching for gunmen after two separate shootings near Johannesburg and Cape Town killed 27 people and wounded 26 within hours, according to the South African Police Service. The attacks happened in different provinces and police have not announced evidence connecting them. Investigators also had not confirmed a motive or made arrests by the latest official updates. Police said eight armed men attacked a tavern in Wedela, Gauteng, killing 17 people and wounding 15. Hours later, multiple gunmen opened fire at a venue in Lwandle, Western Cape, killing 10 people and wounding 11. Separate provincial teams are investigating. ADVERTISEMENT The first attack occurred at about 9:30 PM South Africa time on Saturday, 26 September, at a tavern in Extension 3 of Wedela, in Gauteng's West Rand District. South African police said eight unidentified men arrived carrying rifles and pistols. The police account says the attackers first fired at patrons outside, then entered the tavern and continued shooting. Emergency workers declared 13 men and four women dead at the scene. Fifteen other people with gunshot wounds were taken to medical facilities. Police said some patrons were searched and had mobile phones taken before the gunmen fled in two vehicles. Two other vehicles were burned during the incident. Those details form part of the police account and do not establish a motive. ADVERTISEMENT The Gauteng investigation includes 17 murder cases, 15 attempted-murder cases and two property-damage cases, according to Al Jazeera's report based on the police statement . Ten killed hours later in Lwandle The second shooting happened at about 1:46 AM on Sunday at a venue in Lwandle, near Cape Town. Police said five people died at the scene and five others died after being taken for medical treatment. Eleven wounded people remained under medical care when the first national updates were issued. Trending Now Kenya, China Sign Deal for 80 Off-Grid Solar Systems . Energy and Power Kenya Ebola: Five Patients Discharged, 52 Contacts Monitored . Public Health Alerts DRC Opens London Forum Seeking Partnerships, Not Aid . | Economy Kenya's Rironi–Naivasha Highway: 90% Earthworks, December Target . Transport and Logistics Popular Today Justice & Crime Julius Mkhwanazi, Kagiso Lerutla: Court Case Explained . Sports Trends Khanyisa Mayo Return Update: What Da Cruz Has Said . Elections Monitoring South Africa Special Voting: Hours, IDs and Home Visits . Agriculture Mpumalanga Food Market opens: farmer and buyer guide . Civil Society Cornubia Housing Handover: What Is Delivered and Still Due? . ADVERTISEMENT Detectives were searching for multiple suspects, but police had not specified how many gunmen took part. The Reuters account carried by The Straits Times described the Lwandle location as an entertainment venue selling grilled meat. The Western Cape investigation is separate from the Wedela case. No official statement has established a link between the two groups of attackers. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Justice & Crime Julius Mkhwanazi, Kagiso Lerutla: Court Case Explained The Ekurhuleni fraud and corruption case returned to the news on 3 November 2026. . Sports Trends Khanyisa Mayo Return Update: What Da Cruz Has Said The Chiefs coach says Mayo is getting closer, but his post-derby comments give no comeback date. . Elections Monitoring South Africa Special Voting: Hours, IDs and Home Visits Approved voters have 2–3 November to cast special ballots before the 4 November municipal elections. . Agriculture Mpumalanga Food Market opens: farmer and buyer guide Trading has begun in Mbombela, but reliable buyers and viable prices will determine its value. . Tags Southern Africa News Southern Africa News Breaking News Breaking News South Africa South Africa

Burna Boy has reportedly set a new African Spotify record after reaching over 46 million monthly listeners. Burna Boy is having another giant moment on streaming. According to the original report , the Nigerian superstar, born Damini Ogulu, has broken the all-time record for the most monthly listeners by an African artist in Spotify history. The “African Giant” singer reportedly reached 46.84 million monthly listeners on Spotify, moving past the previous African record of 46.58 million held by South African breakout star Tyla. Burna Boy’s numbers have continued to climb, with the report placing him at 47.3 million monthly listeners. That puts him within reach of becoming the first African artist to cross 50 million monthly listeners on Spotify. The jump is being driven largely by “Dai Dai,” his World Cup song with Colombian pop icon Shakira. The collaboration has helped push Burna Boy into another global conversation, linking Afrobeats, football culture and international pop on one of the world’s biggest stages. The song also reportedly reached number one on Spotify’s Global Top Songs chart. That achievement places Burna Boy in rare company and marks a major streaming moment for African music. According to the report, Burna Boy becomes the first African artist to top the Spotify Global Top Songs chart since Wizkid appeared on the chart through Drake’s 2016 hit “One Dance.” For Burna Boy, the record adds to a career already defined by global milestones, from Grammy recognition to stadium shows and major international collaborations. For African music, it is another sign that the continent’s biggest stars are no longer just crossing over — they are shaping the sound of the global mainstream. With 50 million monthly listeners now within sight, Burna Boy’s Spotify record feels less like a finish line and more like another marker in Afrobeats’ expanding world takeover. ENTERTAINMENT Burna Boy Breaks African Spotify Monthly Listeners Record By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Jul 3, 2026 Jul 3, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Burna Boy is having another giant moment on streaming. According to the original report , the Nigerian superstar, born Damini Ogulu, has broken the all-time record for the most monthly listeners by an African artist in Spotify history. The “African Giant” singer reportedly reached 46.84 million monthly listeners on Spotify, moving past the previous African record of 46.58 million held by South African breakout star Tyla. ADVERTISEMENT Burna Boy’s numbers have continued to climb, with the report placing him at 47.3 million monthly listeners. That puts him within reach of becoming the first African artist to cross 50 million monthly listeners on Spotify. The jump is being driven largely by “Dai Dai,” his World Cup song with Colombian pop icon Shakira. The collaboration has helped push Burna Boy into another global conversation, linking Afrobeats, football culture and international pop on one of the world’s biggest stages. ADVERTISEMENT The song also reportedly reached number one on Spotify’s Global Top Songs chart. That achievement places Burna Boy in rare company and marks a major streaming moment for African music. According to the report, Burna Boy becomes the first African artist to top the Spotify Global Top Songs chart since Wizkid appeared on the chart through Drake’s 2016 hit “One Dance.” For Burna Boy, the record adds to a career already defined by global milestones, from Grammy recognition to stadium shows and major international collaborations. Trending Now Kenya, China Sign Deal for 80 Off-Grid Solar Systems . Energy and Power Kenya Ebola: Five Patients Discharged, 52 Contacts Monitored . Public Health Alerts DRC Opens London Forum Seeking Partnerships, Not Aid . | Economy Kenya's Rironi–Naivasha Highway: 90% Earthworks, December Target . Transport and Logistics Popular Today Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto . ADVERTISEMENT For African music, it is another sign that the continent’s biggest stars are no longer just crossing over — they are shaping the sound of the global mainstream. With 50 million monthly listeners now within sight, Burna Boy’s Spotify record feels less like a finish line and more like another marker in Afrobeats’ expanding world takeover. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs Inside the Nigerian dancer’s rise from Ojo street shows to Afrobeats stages, music and global fame. . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life How Eric Omondi rose through Churchill Show and became a prominent Kenyan activist. . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? The neuroscientist and educator became Eritrea’s first Miss World entrant and reached the Top 6 . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars The dancer faces five sexual offence charges and returns to court on September 15. . Tags Entertainment Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigeria Nigeria

Listen to DJ Cuppy songs, MP3 downloads, lyrics, and latest Afrobeats and electro house hits from the Nigerian music artist. DJ Cuppy Nigerian DJ and Record Producer NGA 197.2K Spotify Afrobeats, Electro House DJ Cuppy s' Top Xtrafrica Songs

Listen to Portable songs, MP3 downloads, lyrics, and latest street-pop hits from the Nigerian music artist. Portable Nigerian Street-Pop Artist NGA 494K Spotify Street-pop, Afrobeats, Afro-Wahala Portable s' Top Xtrafrica Songs Kose Yahoo Portable . Jalolo Portable . Oya Dab Portable . Shenk Balance Portable . Gbona Portable .