Rwanda’s veteran hip-hop group Tuff Gang is preparing to reach beyond its traditional audience with a new album featuring singers The Ben and Bruce Melodie, while keeping the voice of late founding member Jay Polly alive.
Titled Umutwaro, the project brings together established rappers and leading figures from Rwanda’s contemporary music industry in what could mark a significant moment for the country’s hip-hop scene.
Fireman, a member of the group, announced in June 2026 that The Ben and Bruce Melodie had joined the project. He said the album had already been completed and was awaiting release.
The collaboration brings together artists associated with different musical styles, potentially exposing Tuff Gang’s hip-hop audience to a broader range of sounds.
But the album also carries a personal significance for the group and its followers: it will feature recordings by Jay Polly, who died in 2021.
In December 2025, fellow member Bull Dogg said production had begun while Jay Polly was still alive. The group decided to continue working on the project after his death, incorporating previously recorded material, including a song he made with fellow members.
Tuff Gang rose to prominence in the late 2000s, building a reputation for socially conscious hip-hop that addressed everyday struggles and issues affecting young people. Its members included Bull Dogg, Fireman, Green P, P-Fla and Jay Polly.
Songs such as Amaganya, Kwicuma and Gereza helped establish the group as an influential name in Rwandan hip-hop.
The group has also signalled that it remains active. On Nov. 3, Green P and P-Fla appeared on RTV’s Versus programme, reaffirming Tuff Gang’s continued existence and announcing the forthcoming album.
On Nov. 9, organisers announced that the group would perform at the BK60 concert on Dec. 5 at BK Arena, alongside Bruce Melodie and other artists.
The album’s official release date and full tracklist have yet to be announced.
