Renowned East African Artist BRUCE MELODIE Joins Forces with Reggae Icon SHAGGY
For New Single, “When She’s Around (Funga Macho)”
(photo credits: Gwiza Rukundo for Bruce Melodie/Jonathan Mannion for Shaggy)
Bruce Melodie, one of East Africa’s most celebrated artists, has teamed up with global dancehall/reggae icon, Shaggy for a groundbreaking collaboration with their new track, “When She’s Around (Funga Macho).” Fusing the best of African rhythms and reggae vibes, the genre-defying song – available today on all digital platforms (SPOTIFY, APPLE, TIDAL, AMAZON) via S-Curve Records- showcases the rich diversity of contemporary music and is accompanied by a playful music video, captured in Miami Beach and directed by Jay Will (M.I.A, Lee Scratch Perry, Kayne West, Shaggy & Major Lazer).
“When She’s Around (Funga Macho),” produced by AJR, is a testament to the power of collaboration, transcending geographical boundaries to create a seamless blend of African and Caribbean influences, infectious melodies and rhythms. The song not only celebrates the unique talents of Bruce Melodie and Shaggy but also signifies a cultural exchange that invites listeners to explore the shared emotions and experiences that connect us all.
Poised to be the first breakout Afrobeat artist from East Africa, Bruce Melodie expresses his excitement about the partnership, stating, “Collaborating with Shaggy has been a dream come true. It’s an incredible opportunity to bring our distinct styles together. “When She’s Around (Funga Macho)” is a fusion of our worlds and I’m excited for fans around the world to hear it.”
Shaggy adds, “Bruce’s talent is undeniable, and this collaboration opens up new horizons for both of us. I’m thrilled to be a part of this project and hope it spreads joy and happiness the world over.”
Earlier this week, the duo made their live performance debut of “When She’s Around (Funga Macho)” on the inaugural Trace Music Awards, reaching 500 million fans in 190 countries, further solidifying Bruce’s position as a rising star in the international music scene. Watch the performance here.
ABOUT BRUCE MELODIE:
Born and raised in Kigali, Rwanda, Bruce Melodie has cemented his name into East African music history with his diverse talents as a singer-songwriter, composer, and producer. Renowned for his distinctive blend of R&B, Pop, Afrobeats and Amapiano, Melodie has achieved remarkable success on the African music scene earning a multitude of accolades including multiple wins at The Choice Awards (2021, 2022) as well as participating in the Coke Studio Africa campaign in 2017. He has also won the Superstar Award from Primus Guma Guma, the most prestigious music competition in Rwanda.
ABOUT SHAGGY:
Born Orville Richard Burrell and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Shaggy got his start as an MC in New York City’s burgeoning dancehall scene soon after moving to Brooklyn in his teens. Not long after serving four years in the U.S. Marines (including two tours of duty in the Middle East as part of Operation Desert Storm), he inked his first record deal and quickly scored a global crossover smash with “Oh Carolina.”
As the only diamond-selling dancehall artist in music history, Shaggy, managed by Martin Kierszenbaum/Cherrytree Music Company, has sold more than 40 million album units to date, in addition to landing 8 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and 7 albums on the Billboard 200 (including 4 in the top 40). He has received 2 Grammy Awards and is among the top 3 streamed reggae artists of all time on Spotify.