Ruger

Biography

Michael Adebayo Olayinka (born 23 September 1999), known professionally as Ruger is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and performing artist. 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. In 2024, he left Jonzing World to start his own imprint, called 'Blown Boy Entertainment'. Ruger attended Police Secondary School Akure and graduated in 2017.

Early life

Michael Adebayo Olayinka was born on 23 September 1999 in Lagos, where he was also raised. He is originally from Yagba West Local Government Area in Kogi State, Nigeria.

Career

Olayinka was discovered by D'Prince, who gave him the name "Ruger". His first song recorded seventy million views in three days. 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.
He released the song "One Shirt" with Rema in January 2021. In February 2021, he released "Ruger", a single from first EP, PANDEMIC.
"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.
On 19 November 2021, he released his second EP, The Second Wave, produced by Kukbeatz. The song "Dior" reached number 32 on the Top 50 chart, and number 15 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart. 2021 AFRIMMA (African Muzik Magazine Awards) nominated RUGER for Best NewComer 2021 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.
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.
In February 2023, Ruger was named Best New Artiste at the Soundcity MVP Awards which were held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.
In September 2023, Ruger released his debut album, Ru the World.
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.
In August 2026, Ruger released his six-track extended play, R.U. (Raw & Unfiltered, Vol. 1). The project explores a blend of Afrobeats, Afro-fusion, and Amapiano while incorporating cross-border collaborations, featuring South African artists Musa Keys and Young Stunna on the track "Do Nothing" and MC Morena on "Private Chef". Accompanying the release, Ruger stated that the project was a more personal, introspective creative chapter crafted independently of outside expectations.

Collaborative EP

RnB (with Bnxn) (18 April 2024, Blown Boy Entertainment, TYE Entertainment, and Empire Distribution)