Ruger | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Michael Adebayo Olayinka |
Born | Lagos, Nigeria | 23 September 1999
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 2020–present |
Labels |
Michael Adebayo Olayinka (born 23 September 1999), known professionally as Ruger is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and musician. [2] 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. [3] In 2024, he exit Jonzing World to start his own imprint, called 'Blown Boy Entertainment'. [4]
Michael Adebayo Olayinka was born on 23 September 1999 in Lagos, where he was also raised. He is originally from Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. [5]
Olayinka was discovered by D'Prince, who gave him the name "Ruger". His first song recorded seventy million views in three days. [6] 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. [7] [8]
He released the song "One Shirt" with Rema in January 2021. [9] In February of 2021, he released "Ruger", a single from first EP, PANDEMIC. [10]
"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. [11]
On 19 November 2021, he released his second EP, The Second Wave, produced by Kukbeatz. [12] The song "Dior" reached number 32 on the Top 50 chart, and number 15 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart. [11] 2021 AFRIMMA (African Muzik Magazine Awards) nominated RUGER for Best NewComer 2021 [13] 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. [14]
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. [15] As of May 2024, the track has accumulated over 100 million streams on Spotify. [16]
In February 2023, Ruger was named Best New Artiste at the Soundcity MVP Awards which were held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos. [17]
In September 2023, Ruger released his debut album, RU The World. [18]
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. [19]
Charles Enebeli, better known by his stage name D'Prince, is a Nigerian Afropop singer, record executive, and entrepreneur. He founded the entertainment company and record label Jonzing World in 2019, through which he has signed singer Rema.
Divine Ikubor, known professionally as Rema, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, and songwriter. He gained initial recognition with his 2019 song "Dumebi". That same year, he signed with D'Prince's record label, Jonzing World. He achieved wider recognition with his 2022 single "Calm Down", which spawned a remix with Selena Gomez that peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also led Bilboard Afrobeats Songs chart for a record-setting 58 weeks.
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Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan, who is known professionally as Fireboy DML, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He is signed to YBNL Nation, a record label founded by rapper Olamide. His debut studio album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, was released in 2019. He won Listener's Choice and was nominated for Song of the Year for "Jealous" at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.
The following is a list of events and releases that happened in 2020 in African music.
ThankGod Omori Jesam known professionally as TG Omori or Boy Director, is a Nigerian music video director and cinematographer. TG Omori has directed music videos for recording artists across various genres of new generation, includes Olamide, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tekno, Kizz Daniel, Fireboy DML, Falz, Timaya, Naira Marley, Asake and many others.
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Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.
Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi, known professionally as Bella Shmurda, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He rose to prominence in 2019 with the release of the song "Vision 2020", and a follow-up remix which featured Olamide. He is also the leader of Dangbana Republik; a collective of creatives in Lagos providing community and humanitarian contributions.
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Jonzing World is a Nigerian record label and management company which was founded by a recording artist D'Prince on 22 March 2019. Jonzing services includes music recording, merchandising, audiovisual content, branding, and management. The label currently houses artists like Rema, Gdzilla, Glorious and Bagetti. Artists formerly signed to the label, include Ruger.
Rema is the debut eponymous extended play by Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter Rema. It was released on 22 March 2019 by Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavins Record.
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Nigerian Afrobeats singer CKay has released one studio album, three EPs, eleven singles, and one promotional single. CKay started his music career with Loopy Music, as a record producer. Following the merger between Loopy Music and Chocolate City, he automatically joined Chocolate City roaster. His production credits include M.I Abaga's "Your Father", Koker's "Give Them", Yung6ix's "Everything Gucci", Dotman's "Tonight", and Bisola's "Controlla". He is currently signed to Warner Music Africa, and Atlantic Records.
Daniel Etiese Benson, known professionally as Bnxn and formerly known as Buju, is a Nigerian Afro-fusion singer, songwriter and record producer.
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Charles Chibueze Chukwu, professionally known as Crayon, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. In 2019, he was signed to Mavin Records.
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