Ruger (musician)

Nigerian singer-songwriter (born 1999)

Ruger

Birth name| Michael Adebayo Olayinka
Born|  (1999-09-23) 23 September 1999 (age 25)
Lagos, Nigeria
Genres|

* Afrobeats
* afro-pop
* afrobeat
* dancehall

Occupations|

* Singer-songwriter
* musician

Years active| 2020–present
Labels| Blown Boy Entertainment

Musical artist

Michael Adebayo Olayinka (born 23 September 1999), known professionally as Ruger is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and performing artist.[1] He rose to fame with the release of his song "Bounce", which led him to sign a recording deal with Jonzing World, in 2021. That same year, he released his debut extended play, Pandemic.[2] In 2024, he left Jonzing World to start his own imprint, called 'Blown Boy Entertainment'.[3] Ruger attended Police Secondary School Akure and graduated in 2017.

## Early life

[edit]

Michael Adebayo Olayinka was born on 23 September 1999 in Lagos, where he was also raised. He is originally from Yagba West Local Government Area in Kogi State, Nigeria.[4]

## Career

[edit]

Olayinka was discovered by D'Prince, who gave him the name "Ruger". His first song recorded seventy million views in three days.[5] In January 2021, D'Prince announced the signing of Ruger to Jonzing World and Sony Music Entertainment UK, in a joint venture with Columbia Records.[6][7]

He released the song "One Shirt" with Rema in January 2021.[8] In February 2021, he released "Ruger", a single from first EP, PANDEMIC.[9]

"Bounce" became a hit song from Pandemic, and debuted at number 39 on the Top 50 chart Nigeria, and was listed at number 20 on the TurnTable End of the Year chart and number 2 on the Apple Music top Afrobeats songs. On 26 November 2021, he released his second EP, titled The Second Wave, with "Dior" as the lead single, which debuted number 32 on the Top 50 chart, and number 15 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart.[10]

On 19 November 2021, he released his second EP, The Second Wave, produced by Kukbeatz.[11] The song "Dior" reached number 32 on the Top 50 chart, and number 15 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart.[10] 2021 AFRIMMA (African Muzik Magazine Awards) nominated RUGER for Best NewComer 2021[12] 2021 AFRIMA (All Africa Music Awards) nominated Ruger for Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Reggae, Ragga or Dancehall and Most Promising African Artiste of the year.[13]

In November 2022, Ruger released the hit single "Asiwaju", which peaked at number 1 on Nigeria's Apple Music chart and spent a record-breaking one month at the top.[14] As of May 2024, the track has accumulated over 100 million streams on Spotify.[15]

In February 2023, Ruger was named Best New Artiste at the Soundcity MVP Awards which were held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.[16]

In September 2023, Ruger released his debut album, Ru the World.[17]

In April 2024, Ruger and Bnxn released the collaborative mixtape RnB. The mixtape's lead single, Romeo Must Die, debuted at number 11 on the Billboard Afrobeat chart.[18]

## Discography

[edit]

### Albums

[edit]

List of Albums, with selected details  Title  | Album details

|

Ru the World |

* Released: September 2023
* Label: Jonzing World
* Formats: Digital download, streaming

BlownBoy RU |

* Released: March 2025
* Label: Blownboy Entertainment
* Formats: Digital download, streaming

### EPs

[edit]

List of Ep, with selected details  Title  | Album details

|

Pandemic |

* Released: March 4, 2021
* Label: Jonzing World, Sony Music UK
* Formats: Digital download, streaming

The Second Wave |

* Released: November 2021
* Label: Jonzing World, Sony Music UK
* Formats: Digital download, streaming

### Collaborative EP

[edit]

* RnB (with Bnxn) (18 April 2024, Blown Boy Entertainment, TYE Entertainment, and Empire Distribution)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Enter Ruger, Naija's new fearless act". The Guardian Nigeria. 17 July 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
2. ^ Alake, Motolani Yusmid (12 March 2021). "'PANDEMIC' is a wonderful introduction to Ruger's element [Pulse EP Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
3. ^ "Ruger announces his own record label with a freestyle". NotjustOk. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
4. ^ Sare, Watimagbo (2022). "Ruger Full Biography". BuzzNigeria.com. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
5. ^ "Ruger is switching things up". PAM - Pan African Music. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
6. ^ "Jonzing World's Record Label signs Ruger to join Rema". Vanguard News. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
7. ^ Alake, Motolani (19 January 2021). "D'Prince's Jonzing World unveils new artist, Ruger". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
8. ^ Alake, Motolani (21 January 2021). "Jonzing World's new act, Ruger jumps on 'One Shirt' with D'Prince and Rema". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
9. ^ BellaNaija.com (12 March 2021). "New EP: Ruger – Pandemic". BellaNaija. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
10. ^ a b "Official Afrobeats Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
11. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (17 June 2022). "Ruger's 'Second Wave' EP gets three new singles: 'WeWe,' 'Girlfriend,' and 'Warning'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
12. ^ "New EP: Ruger – The Second Wave". BellaNaija. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
13. ^ "All Africa Music Awards 2021: All the nominees". Music In Africa. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
14. ^ "Ruger Reacts As Smashing Hit 'Asiwaju' Tops The Chart For 4 Straight Weeks". NotjustOk. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
15. ^ "Ruger - Spotify Top Songs". kworb.net. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
16. ^ "Burnaboy, Black Sherif, Win At The Soundcity MVP Awards 2023 (FULL WINNERS LIST)". African Folder. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
17. ^ Smith, Niall (21 September 2023). "Afro-dancehall pioneer Ruger on his debut 'RU The World': "I didn't hold anything back"". NME. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
18. ^ theimullar·MUSIC (19 April 2024). "Ruger & Bnxn Release Joint EP, 'RnB' — iMullar". Retrieved 7 May 2024.