He made these remarks on Sunday, April 19, 2026, upon his arrival at Kigali International Airport in Kanombe, returning from Côte d'Ivoire where he had just completed two major, highly attended concerts.
Vex Prince performed in his own two shows in Côte d’Ivoire—the first at YELAM’S on April 16, 2026, and the second at Palais de la Culture – Salle Lougah François on April 17, 2026. He said both concerts were sold out, reflecting strong audience turnout.
The performances coincided with the renowned MASA Africa festival, which brings together artists from across Africa and attracts between 500,000 and one million attendees.
“I just came from Côte d’Ivoire where I had two concerts. They were my own shows but aligned with MASA. Everything went very well—I performed in two Arenas, one with a capacity of 1,800 and another with 2,500, and both were completely sold out,” he said.
He added that he delivered high-quality performances, having traveled with his live band to ensure a world-class show—something that earned him strong appreciation from the audience.
This was not his first time performing in Côte d’Ivoire; he has now performed there more than four times, a factor he says has helped him build a solid fan base in the country. He emphasized that his focus on international markets is intentional, as they offer greater opportunities for growth and exposure.
“That’s where I have a large audience. I focus more on the international market because that’s where I promote my music, and it’s also where I hold big, well-attended shows,” he explained.
The young artist, who continues to gain significant international attention, noted that selling out shows on consecutive days in foreign countries is a strong indicator of his rising influence.
Vex Prince also dismissed claims that The Ben and Bruce Melodie lead Rwandan music overall. According to him, true leadership in music should be measured by international reach rather than local popularity.
“Here in Rwanda, they might say that—but internationally, I lead too. If I go to a country and sell out tickets two days in a row, with thousands coming to watch me, singing along to my songs—not just attending because I was booked, but because they came specifically for me, including locals and the diaspora—that means I’m big at that level,” he said.
He further stressed that his goal is to compete with top artists from Nigeria and across Africa, where he believes the real competition lies.
During his performances at MASA Africa, Vex Prince paid tribute to legendary Rwandan musician Cécile Kayirebwa by performing her iconic song “Iwacu,” a moment that resonated strongly with the audience.
He explained that he has long admired Kayirebwa and her music, and used the opportunity to showcase Rwandan culture to an international audience. He also performed dressed in traditional Rwandan attire (imikenyero), highlighting cultural pride on a global stage.
Vex Prince’s appearance at MASA Africa marks a major milestone in his career, as the festival serves as a key platform for African artists to expand internationally.
Since launching his music career in 2022, he has built a growing reputation with songs like “Wahala,” “Bad Energy,” and “Holy Water.” His debut album Levitation, released in 2025, features 12 tracks including “Laler” featuring Fior2Bior, “Money” featuring Dorty, and others.
Currently signed under KOKO Productions, an international label focused on promoting African talent globally, Vex Prince is working on his second album. The project is led by his latest single “Falling,” produced by Element Eléeeh. He also revealed that he is investing heavily in high-quality visuals to match international standards.
While his remarks about The Ben and Bruce Melodie may spark debate among music fans, they reflect his ambition and determination to push Rwandan music onto the global stage.
His continued participation in major international platforms like MASA Africa highlights the growing presence of Rwandan music in the global entertainment industry.
Vex Prince said that his goal is to compete with top artists from Nigeria and across Africa, where he believes the real competition lies
The Ben and Bruce Melodie Are Popular in Rwanda, But I Lead Internationally – Vex Prince
PHOTOS OF VEX PRINCE'S SECOND CONCERT IN COTE D'IVOIRE
PHOTOS OF VEX PRINCE'S FIRST CONCERT IN COTE D'IVOIRE
Vex Prince at Kigali International Airport in Kanombe, returning from Côte d'Ivoire where he had just completed two major, highly attended concerts
Vex Prince’s appearance at MASA Africa marks a major milestone in his career, as the festival serves as a key platform for African artists to expand internationally
WATCH "MONEY" BY VEX PRINCE