Popular singer Michael Adebayo Olayinka, also known as Ruger, claims that Nigeria today has less than five talented musicians.
The “Asiwaju” hitmaker claims that the majority of Nigerian singers only sing for “cruise.”
Ruger recently said in an interview with Cool FM in Lagos that the people that are brilliant and making good music are not up to five.
He did not, however, specify which other gifted Nigerian musicians he thought were in his league or where he stood on the list.
“I’m not the biggest artiste in Nigeria but talent-wise, I’m standing somewhere there. We are not up to 5,” he said.
“I won’t say where I am on the list but I’m there. It’s not up to five. Most people are just singing for cruise but we [the talented artists], we make music.”
Ruger became well-known in 2021 through the Jonzing World label, which is a division of Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records and is owned by Nigerian musician D’Prince.
Ruger has won several awards for his craft. In same 2021, he won the AFRIMA best newcomer award, and also the best new artiste category at the 2023 Soundcity MVP Awards.
Ruger has also swept some of the major awards, including the Best New act in Africa at the 2022 prestigious Afrima Awards.
