More than four years ago, a young Michael Adebayo Olayinka with the moniker Mikky Drey was determined to be a global superstar, making covers of his favourite Nigerian artists that soon captured the attention of Jonzing World’s boss D’Prince in 2019, who rebranded him to Ruger today. His passion drove him from the confines of Computer Village in Lagos and catapulted him beyond the shores of Africa.
From his first viral sensation, Bounce, off his PANDEMIC EP to smash hits like Girlfriend, Snapchat, and Asiwaju off the RU The World debut album released in 2023, Ruger has carved a distinct name for himself with his Dancehall and Afropop sound, marked by his provocative ‘bad-boy’ persona, pink hair, and pirate-esque identity, which has cemented him as one of Afrobeats’ global exports.
Ruger’s exit from Jonzing World marked the beginning of his artistry as an independent artist and birthed his independent label imprint, Blown Boy Entertainment. This new journey opened the door for his collaborative EP with former rival BNXN, RnB (Ruger and Benson), released in April 2024. This joint EP marked one of the best releases of 2024, with standout tracks like POE and Romeo Must Die.
But he wants to take it further; the 19-year-old Micheal is now the highly acclaimed Ruger, touring cities across the world and taking over the charts. Being an independent artist is no easy feat, but Ruger has achieved global stardom. So, he continues to bet on himself with the release of his sophomore album and first solo project as an independent artist, BlownBoy RU.
On this 13-track body of work, Ruger invites listeners into a deeper level of his artistry. Marked by his blend of patois and Afrobeats and signature play-boy persona, he also delivers another side of his vulnerability. Ultimately, he draws themes of self-assertiveness, hedonism, and romantic escapades throughout the track as he teamed up with long-term collaborator Kukbeatz.
Starting the album with the intro track, REintroduction, Ruger confidently reinstates himself as the highest in the game with the line “Reintroducing me self, I’m the fucking Ruger!” Ruger, who has always been assertive about his artistry, did not fail to mince words when he said, “Right from SS3, that’s when I knew that I’m gonna be a big star, so I killed that!” The track opens with a brief western guitar and piano riff intercepted by a drill beat.
On the uptempo track, Ruger maintains his signature patois sound, blending dancehall with drill genre, as he delivers chest-thumping lyrics like the line four years later, still Ruger name no spoil asserting his four-year reign in the music industry. The tempo transitions into soulful melodies marked by Ruger’s lush vocals till it eases into eulogies of Ruger performed in Northern language and music elements. While we’ve witnessed a similar high display of confidence in the industry with the likes of Rema on HEIS, Ruger’s REintroduction marks one of the best intro tracks.
However, the course slightly changes with the second track, Muah (Soulmates), when Ruger switches from his self-assertive proclamation and begins his romantic escapades. His vocals are soft when he proclaims to be a better alternative to his muse’s lover. He defends his stance with the line “Baby, don’t you ever let your man block you from your soulmate,” strengthening his desire to take her to the altar. However, his charm does not sway his muse, so she refuses his advances. But Ruger refuses to let go, so he persists in the chorus.
The theme circles back into another self-assertive track, Giveaway, featuring Street-hop rapper Zlatan. On the trap-infused track with dominating strings and reflective lyricism, Ruger appraises his multiple achievements to Jesus while maintaining a braggadocious swagger. “I dey burst my own brain, still impressed with myself,” he further sings. Ruger recognizes his feats and the wealth that comes with his widespread fame, which allows him to express himself by blending the viral Chief Priest Cubana and Fela Kuti slang into: Money na water, and e no get enemy, highlighting the culture of giveaway. Zlatan, who has been on a roll with featured tracks, delivers another stellar verse.
“If ah girl worry me, I delete her, put her inside the bin bag” might be one of the most controversial and misconstrued lines from a Nigerian artiste, but it sets the mood for the return of his bad boy persona on Jay Jay. The Kukbeatz-produced track was first released on February 14th, 2025, and Ruger flipped the script on Valentine’s Day and delivered a playboy anthem when many celebrated romantic love. He speaks to girls who might want to hold him to a committed relationship saying, “She asking, ‘Boy, what are we?‘ We better be what we have been…me wey dey dribble tey-tey, and I ball like Jay Jay.“
There are many fishes inna the water, but I gat you in particular opens the fifth track, Dudu. Typical of a bad boy, Ruger makes his advances known with a cocky stance, calling Jamacian singer Kranium for assistance, as the duo blend their distinct voices with patois. The title takes after the chorus where he boldly hits on his muse. Rub Minds follows closely where Ruger continues to narrate one of his numerous escapades. On the mid-tempo track, Ruger seeks to reunite with his muse after a one-night stand while on tour, offering to rub minds on the surface but with a desire for intimacy again.
Before the release of the highly anticipated album, Ruger called African bad gyal Tiwa Savage to release an outstanding collaboration, Toma Toma. The sonically constructed Kukbeatz production opened with Ruger’s verse Since 21 dem dance my toma toma, I never stop giving back to back to back, signaling his three years of consistent hitmaking. On this Toma Toma, the duo combines their artistry, with Ruger offering swaggering melodic verses while Tiwa Savage cements with her captivating vocals powered by raw percussion-heavy Ballie Funk with Afrobeats. It’s a track that seamlessly blends into carnivals.
Yet the humble cocky man Ruger claims to be mellows on the next song, Wish You Well, where he bades farewell to his ex-lover. “See me hear from Rachael, your best friend that you gat ah new man, and you’re doing better, I wish you well,” he sings. Jamaican singer Valiant joins him on the heartbreak song, blending his signature sound with Ruger’s soft melodic verses that sustain the song.
The Afrobeats ultimate playboy shares his fair share of heartbreak with an underlying machismo, ushering in the next track, Toro. But for every bad boy lies a soft-hearted man scared to lose his lover- a play at narcissism, this writer believes. Carved from his recently released Colors Show performance, Toro expressly unveils a vulnerable Ruger who acknowledges his faults in losing his 7-year relationship while seeking to circle back.
The brilliantly Ktizo-produced track 99 kicks in, leading into another of his romantic escapades but with more sensual, unfiltered lyricism to the tune. While artists like Omah Lay explore romantic escapades and adult themes dipped in emotional vulnerability, Ruger casually flexes his bad-boy persona without the need for it—a trait that many women find attractive. On the track accompanied by strings and chords, Ruger engages in a sensual conversation, narrating the myriad positions in his arsenal. But Ruger recognizes the need for consent and playing safe even in the BDSM that he offers.
The theme switches on Runaway, featuring reggae and dancehall act Haile, blending striking verses from the duo. Marked by Afropop elements, Ruger finds himself in a toxic relationship. The transition from ecstasy into the dilemma drains him, so he contemplates his decision with the line I’ll shoot you before you will kill me…you can’t choose to run away after all you did. While the production manages to impress, the track highlights another state of Ruger’s vulnerability.
Hell Cat, on the other hand, changes his course when he realises his feats and achievements. The track begins with a voice nodding to this global stardom, from his early days to BlownBoy RU. He acknowledges the level of accomplishments that comes with the prominence, but he’s unmoved by the loss of relationships and friendships that come with fame. He chooses to make peace and forge ahead, citing the viral slang, “O ti lo“.
BlownBoy Anthem marks the end of the album, drawing themes of self-assertiveness and hedonism. “BlownBoy no go gree for anybody,” he sings on the chorus. This outro track signals the independent artist’s new and boldly expressive phase. In his experience, he has had his share of disloyalty, so he refuses to bow to any industry godfather. Blending Afrobeats and Hip-hop elements with unfiltered melodic verses, this track reveals a more confident Ruger ready to take on the world.
BlownBoy RU brilliantly highlights Ruger’s signature sound, with Dancehall and Afrobeats maintaining thematic cohesion marked by superfluous themes of braggadocio, bad-boy persona, and romantic escapades. With notable collaborations with Dancehall acts, Ruger’s versatility is notably effortless, and his vocals are unarguably stellar. Although the production, mainly orchestrated by Kukbeatz, moderately impresses, the duo is a match made from heaven.
Ultimately, Ruger’s BlownBoy RU confidently sets the pace for an artiste willing to take a bet on himself and ready to take on the world. And without mincing words, stands as one of the best projects released in 2025.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Standout tracks: REintroduction, Giveaway, Toro, and Wish You Well
