Basic Info

Full Name: Michael Adebayo Olayinka

Stage Name: Ruger

Country: Nigeria

Birth Date

Date of Birth: September 23, 1999

Early Life and Background

Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Ruger hails from Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State. From a young age, he displayed musical flair and a passion for performance, which eventually caught the attention of D’Prince, who signed him to Jonzing World in early 2021 and coined the name “Ruger” as his stage identity.

Biography, Career, and more

Ruger (born Michael Adebayo Olayinka on September 23, 1999) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performing artist known for his genre-bending fusion of Afrobeats, Dancehall, and Pop. He rose to prominence in 2021 with the breakout hit “Bounce”, released under Jonzing World, a label he joined after being discovered by industry veteran D’Prince. Ruger quickly became one of Nigeria’s most distinctive voices, known for his signature eye patch, bold persona, and infectious rhythms.

Career

Ruger’s career took off rapidly in 2021. He featured alongside Rema in the track “One Shirt” and followed it up with the release of his debut single “Ruger” and the PANDEMIC EP. However, it was the track “Bounce” that catapulted him to stardom. The song charted at number 39 on Nigeria’s Top 50 and climbed to number 2 on Apple Music’s Top Afrobeats Songs, solidifying his place in the industry.

He continued his momentum with the release of his sophomore EP The Second Wave in November 2021. The project included hits like “Dior”, which gained international acclaim, peaking at number 15 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart. Ruger’s artistry earned him nominations at major African award shows, including AFRIMA and AFRIMMA, in categories like Best Newcomer and Most Promising African Artiste.

In late 2022, Ruger released “Asiwaju”, a record-breaking single that topped Nigeria’s Apple Music chart for over a month and amassed over 100 million Spotify streams by mid-2024. This success was followed by his debut studio album, Ru the World, released in September 2023 to critical acclaim.

Blown Boy Era

In 2024, Ruger made a bold move by exiting Jonzing World to establish his own label, Blown Boy Entertainment. Marking a new chapter of independence and creative control, Ruger also teamed up with fellow Nigerian artist Bnxn (fka Buju) for the joint mixtape RnB. Its lead single, “Romeo Must Die”, debuted at number 11 on the Billboard Afrobeats chart, showcasing his growing global appeal.

Awards & Recognition

Ruger’s dynamic style and relentless output have earned him multiple accolades, including Best New Artiste at the 2023 Soundcity MVP Awards. With millions of fans and a steady stream of chart-topping hits, Ruger is a defining voice in contemporary African music, fearlessly blazing his path—eye patch and all.

Net Worth

Estimated Net Worth: $500,000 – $750,000