Ruger on Making Blown Boy Ru, Getting Co-Signed by Wizkid & His New Label | Afrobeats Intelligence

Subscribe To Okayafrica:    / @okayafrica   What does it take to bounce back and build from scratch? In this new episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits with Nigerian dancehall star Ruger—the artist behind hits like Asiwaju, Girlfriend, and Toma Toma—to break down his evolution from viral sensation to label boss. Fresh off launching his label Blown Boy Entertainment and releasing his new album Blown Boy Ru, Ruger opens up about heartbreak, hate, and healing. He talks about sneaking out to study Dancehall, learning to write in Patois, and how songs like Warning and Make Way reflect his truth. He shares what it was like leaving his former label, facing doubters who said he’d fall off, and how Wizkid’s tweet gave him the push to keep going, he says after dropping Toma Toma with Tiwa Savage. Now running his own show, Ruger reflects on artist development, mental discipline, and why his next signee “has to be better than me.” He also breaks down his joint project with BNXN (Buju)—Romeo Must Die—and how collaboration showed a new side of him. Whether you're a fan of Afrobeats, Dancehall, or the business behind the music, this conversation cuts deep—streaming from Lagos to London, Toronto to Houston, wherever the African sound resonates. 6:24-6:38 “I want to blow up.” 16:14-16:33 “I was born in Festac Town.” 18:32-18:42 “I grew up in a church” 14:14-14:45 “Kukbeatz told me my voice works with this sound.” 23:59-24:25 “Being here, Nigerians can make you feel like you’re not advancing” 26:18-26:27 “You left your old record Label” 27:18-27:29 “Some people were saying this is the last year you’re gonna tour. You’re finished.” 29:12-29:28 “Wizkid tweeted ‘I love Ruger’s make way’ [Please add a screenshot of this tweet.] 33:01-33:11 “Toma Toma” brought Ruger back “We’re back in business baby” 25:50-26:07 “People cannot write about the future, they will have to march along with you.” 37:44-37:55 “You understand who I am now? Now go back.” ruger blown boy usa tour, ruger toma toma tiwa savage london, afrobeats houston texas playlist, wizkid ruger make way reaction, nigerian dancehall artist toronto, young african artists los angeles, ruger festac town street music, afrobeats uk diaspora nightlife, afrobeats dmv club mix, ruger bnxn romeo must die performance, tiwa savage ruger toma toma europe, lagos to london afrobeats, afrobeats montreal canada vibes, dancehall new york brooklyn party, afrobeats berlin germany nightlife, ruger dancehall patois freestyle, afrobeats chicago club set, dancehall artist growth story, how ruger found his sound nigeria, afrobeats heartbreak songs 2025, wizkid support ruger comeback, afrobeats self made artist story, afro fusion artist ceo atlanta, ruger performance essence fest, afrobeat artist from festac, ruger music executive nigeria, blown boy ruger new label launch, afrobeats queens ny summer set, ruger dancehall crossover artist, afrobeats toronto caribana vibes, underground afrobeats breakout los angeles, ruger afro party set london, afrobeats texas austin takeover, ruger romeo must die full album, afrobeats dallas nigerian music, ruger and tiwa savage collab, dancehall afrobeats mix dc parties, afrobeats inspiration from heartbreak, music production hustle olamide ybnl, dancehall kings nigeria uk, afrobeats label boss ruger story, street to stage afrobeats narrative, independent afrobeats artist ceo, ruger spiritual growth journey, ruger music process patois fusion, african diaspora music germany, ruger comeback story 2025, afrobeats producers to performers, afrobeats success without label, afrobeat story artist turned ceo, tiwa savage toma toma uk reaction, bnxn romeo must die lyrics, bnxn ruger live performance, ruger tiwa savage collaboration, romeo must die joint album, make way ruger wizkid tweet, dancehall afrobeats mashup playlist, young afrobeats artists 2025, afrobeats intelligence joey akan, okayafrica ruger interview