Ruger composes music with heartfelt sincerity, unabashedly conveying his identity, a characteristic that distinguishes him
Ruger’s enigmatic persona is widely recognized within the Afropop genre. With his captivating dancehall-influenced style, the Nigerian musician has significantly enhanced the sound and performance aspect of the scene, establishing himself as an indispensable participant in the most recent installment of the Afrobeats Intelligence series, moderated by Joey Akan and showcased by OkayAfrica.
Considering Ruger’s passion for performance and touring, it was quite appropriate for Akan to initiate the dialogue from what he viewed as the distinctions in performing at venues in less-popular cities compared to cultural centers like Lagos and Abuja.
"I believe it's a different atmosphere when you visit locations that are not particularly well-known or densely populated,” states Ruger. “Many individuals in those areas do not have frequent opportunities to see us, so when we do visit, the energy is palpable throughout. It’s unlike performing in Lagos, where everyone is a 'big shot'. . . you might be performing, and some audience members will be seated, observing you because many have already seen you numerous times. ”
Transitioning from discussions about performances, the conversation evolved to the prospects of a music career, with Ruger addressing the challenges of relentlessly striving for one's aspirations in a field as nuanced and creative as music. In overcoming obstacles, preparation and conditioning become vital for achieving excellence. “The enthusiasm is already present, you know how to execute it,” elucidates Ruger. “As my manager often advises, treat music the way one would approach football. A player who has not practiced for several weeks may take to the pitch and fail to perform adeptly, or may lack assurance. But once you enter that environment, you must find a method to elevate yourself. ”
Ruger composes music with heartfelt sincerity, unabashedly conveying his identity, a characteristic that distinguishes him. In this episode, he addresses the criticism he has encountered regarding some of his past lyrics. However, the majority of the dialogue between Ruger and Joey revolves around inspiration and creativity, with the artist eventually inquiring about his methodology for composing music.
"I enjoy crafting music from the ground up," he shares. "I appreciate the presence of the keyboard, or any instrument I am incorporating into a track; I like to have everything in view… Because I was raised in the church. I participated in the choir. All these elements are familiar to me. That’s the manner in which I create music; it allows me to feel liberated. We don’t commence too seriously with 'oh, play the beats. ' I don’t adhere to that every time. Most of the songs I’ve produced originated from just relaxing in the studio. Kukzbeatz would play the keyboard, begin with some musical progressions, and the ideas would naturally flow. We would then start positioning the microphone and assembling everything together. It’s a more time-consuming process, but it’s invariably rewarding in the end.”
