East African music star The Ben, who has built a strong name in the region’s music industry, has announced that he will soon release a new album. He also revealed that he and Bruce Melodie are to entertain Rwandans across different parts of the country through a series of joint concerts.
The artist, who recently performed at the The Nu Year Groove concert held at BK Arena, told IGIHE that like many children, he grew up with different dreams before eventually finding himself in music. However, becoming a star was never something he believed he would achieve.
Journalist: Some young people only know the famous The Ben, what kind of life did Ben grow in?
The Ben: Before becoming famous, I was just a child like any other, playing and enjoying myself. I really loved football and being around my friends. Any game you can think of that kids play, I played it and was actively involved.
As I continued with school, it started to shape what I might do in the future. Another thing I was known for during my childhood was fighting. I think even my former classmates remember that I was known for getting into fights.
It was in secondary school that I developed two major passions. Like many kids, I loved football, but that’s also when music came into my life. I’m someone who loves people; I’ve always enjoyed being around others, and eventually, music became part of who I am.
Journalist: In 2010, you went to study in the United States and stayed for a long time, to the point some people thought you had settled there. How did you make the decision to return home?
The Ben: Honestly, I can’t say there was a specific moment when I decided to return home. When I first came back in 2016, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that’s when I truly returned, because that’s when I started traveling back and forth.
In 2019, COVID-19 found me here, and I stayed for two years. It was the first time I had remained here for that long. That’s when I started asking myself, “Why do I actually stay there?” During COVID-19, after spending two years here and working on different things, I realized that I could stay here permanently.
Journalist: What has ‘The Nu Year Groove 2025’ where you performed with Bruce Melodie teach you?
The Ben: Apart from the “propaganda” spread by some individuals whose names I won’t mention, who were driven by negative intentions, what we delivered and what people experienced was joy. It was happiness delivered at a very high level. In short, everyone who came to the Arena understood the concept of The Nu Year Groove.
As for lessons learned, it’s mainly about ensuring that next time we better handle the challenges we faced, especially dealing with unnecessary “propaganda.” That’s what one takes from such an experience. But learning never stops no matter how successful something is, you always continue to learn.
Journalist: How is your relationship with Bruce Melodie currently?
The Ben: Bruce is a fellow Rwandan, and we share the same vision of ensuring that what we do, our music industry grows to reach the level of Nigeria and even go beyond it. For that to happen, we need to be together.
What I can point out is that we don’t usually talk much, but during The Nu Year Groove, throughout that entire journey, we had many conversations. I came to understand a lot about Bruce Melodie, and he also got to understand a lot about me. These are discussions we continued even afterward. He is a respectful man who loves his country and wants to see our own achievements leading others.
Journalist: How are preparations for your joint concerts?
The Ben: The joy that we’ve Kigalians, is the same we want to give across the country, even at a much higher level. Because perhaps it will now take place in large stadiums not just those that hold 10,000 people, but ones that can host 30,000 or even 100,000 people so you can understand that it will be on a much higher scale.
Journalist: How did your life change after getting married and being a dad?
The Ben: In marriage, especially before having a child, there’s a kind of reminder that a life that used to belong only to you, no longer belongs to you alone. you have to be mindful.
Then when a child comes, for example with this child, it’s very hard for me. It happens, but only about 0.1% of the time, to leave home while Luna is still asleep. I find it difficult. I have to wait for her to wake up, hold her for a bit, walk her around a little, play with her a bit, and only then can I leave.
Journalist: How many kids do you want to have?
The Ben: First of all, I love kids. so, maybe four, five, yeah.
Journalist: What would you tell to people saying you don’t make many songs?
The Ben: When they blame us for it, it’s not because they hate us. In another way, it’s love. They want to hear from you; maybe they miss you. But what it does, if you go along with that pressure too much, is that it makes you give more than you actually can, if you understand what I mean.
So especially for me, I myself am my own ‘company’, I am the company. There’s no other company attached to me to do what I’m supposed to do. I’m the one who makes the investments, and I thank God that I’m able to do that.
Journalist: What are you planning for your fans over the next five years?
The Ben: They’re in for something big, because this year, in terms of music, we’ll be releasing a new album. I know they often prefer singles one by one, but we’re working on an album or an EP, the songs are all ready, they’ve been produced, so now we’re just looking for the right time to release them.
As for performances, this year’s ‘The Nu Year Groove’ will be something else entirely. It’s something they’ll remember for many years to come. Also, together with my brother Bruce, we’re coming upcountry, so they should get ready.
Journalist: Don’t you and Bruce Melodie ever discuss the idea of collaborating on a song?
The Ben: You never know! As long as people are still alive, anything is possible.
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