RUGER INTERVIEW: VIPER sat down with Nigerian trailblazer Ruger, the Afro-Dancehall hitmaker whose fearless sound and signature pink hair have taken him from internet curiosity to global phenomenon. With his sophomore album ‘BlownBoy Ru’ making major waves and his international tour lighting up stages from Lagos to London, Ruger is carving his legacy with every move. In this exclusive conversation, he talks growth, sound evolution, unexpected fanbases, and why ‘BlownBoy Ru’ isn’t just an album, it’s a whole mindset.
You’ve had an incredible run these past few years, how does it feel looking back at how far you’ve come since the early days of Ruger?
It’s wild, honestly. Sometimes I look back and I’m just like… “yo, we really did that.” From dropping my first single with the eyepatch and people asking, “who’s this pink-haired guy?” to shutting down stages across the world, it’s been a journey. I’m grateful, but I’m also still hungry. I’ve only scratched the surface.
You dropped ‘BlownBoy Ru’ this year, how has this chapter shaped you, and how do you feel your sound has evolved since your debut?
‘BlownBoy Ru’ was me fully stepping into who I am. I’ve always had something to prove, but this one? This was me saying, “I’ve arrived.” Sonically, I’ve grown, my pen is sharper, my voice has matured, and I’m more fearless now. The blend of Afrobeats, Dancehall, Fuji, even Amapiano – it’s not just vibes, it’s intentional.
You’ve been touring hard this year, what’s one song that hits different when you perform it live?
‘Giveaway’ goes crazy live. The way the crowd screams that hook? Ehn! Goosebumps every time. But then there’s ‘Girlfriend’ too. That one is like muscle memory for the fans; pure madness.
What city or country has surprised you the most with how much they ride for your music?
Denmark shocked me, not gonna lie. They were singing every lyric like they grew up in Lagos. Energy was 100. I didn’t expect it, but I’ll never forget it.
There’s a signature Ruger sound, but you’re not afraid to experiment. What can fans expect sonically from your future projects?
More risks. More fusion. I’m building my own sound world Afro-Dancehall might be the base, but I’m blending it with whatever inspires me. Might even drop something acoustic next, who knows? Just know it’ll always feel like Ruger.
You’ve mastered the blend of emotion and attitude, what inspired you most while making ‘BlownBoy Ru’?
Life. Real life. The wins, the Ls, the love, the heartbreaks. I wanted ‘BlownBoy Ru’ to feel like a conversation with myself bold, raw, sometimes cheeky, but always honest. I channeled everything I’d been through in the past year into that tape.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you when you’re not on stage or in the studio?
I’m a bit of a loner. I enjoy silence more than people think. Sometimes I just sit in my room and listen to music. Helps me reset. I also don’t joke with God and my prayer life. God first above everything.
What’s your guilty pleasure song that no one would expect Ruger to vibe to?
[Laughs] Passsss.
How does your style play into the rollout of a project? Do you use fashion to reflect the music or set a tone of its own?
Fashion is a weapon. The eyepatch, the pink hair it’s all part of the world I create around the music. When I drop a project, I want the visuals, the outfits, the cover, all of it to speak before I even say a word.
You’ve worked with some heavy hitters already. Are there any artists you’ve been in the studio with recently that we should be watching?
I’ve been cooking with some fire artists from Nigeria and the UK. Can’t spill too much, but I dropped something with Juno from Nigeria recently. Heat incoming.
If you could swap lives with any artist for a day, just for the fun of it, who would it be and why?
Burna, just one day. I want to see what it feels like to wake up and be that level of confident and chaotic. That guy is a rockstar for real.
With the world paying even more attention to Afrobeats, do you feel pressure or freedom when it comes to releasing big projects?
Freedom, always. I’m not trying to fit into any formula. I came into this game doing it my way, and that’s how I’m staying. The eyes on Afrobeats just mean more people get to hear the culture. The pressure is there, sure; but it’s the good kind.
If you could leave your supporters with one message right now, something straight from the heart, what would it be?
Thank you. Truly. Every stream, every post, every scream at a show it means everything. I don’t take any of it for granted. Just know I’m always working to give you my best. We’re only just getting started. BlownBoy forever.
