Nigerian Afrobeats star Ruger, born Michael Adebayo, has shared the emotional toll and backlash he faced after parting ways with Jonzing World, the label that launched his career.
In a candid sit-down with Afrobeats Intelligence, the Asiwaju hitmaker opened up about the rocky road to independence, detailing the industry pushback he encountered after launching his own imprint, Blown Boy Entertainment, in 2024.
“They Said I Was Finished”
Ruger didn’t hold back as he described how quickly the music industry turned on him.
“After leaving the label, there were lots of comments about it. Some people were saying, ‘This is the last year you’re going to tour.’ This is the end. You are finished. Not everybody was willing to help in any way.”
In his words, once you leave a label in Nigeria, “they call you ungrateful already.” It’s a narrative that follows many artists brave enough to go solo — and Ruger found himself battling that stigma head-on.
A Broken System
Ruger has previously accused Jonzing World of sidelining him, alleging that his own earnings were being used to push other new signees — without his consent.
Beyond personal grievances, he also criticised the wider “godfather system” that dominates the Nigerian music scene.
“It is not easy to leave your label. Many people do not want to associate with that person… So, I was battling that. I had to reintroduce myself, build new relationships — doing a lot of things from scratch.”
Independence Wasn’t Easy — But It Was Necessary
Despite the criticism and isolation, Ruger didn’t fold. He described the independence journey as mentally exhausting, but credited his inner strength for helping him push through.
“I was down. But I was still strong.”
Since going solo, the 25-year-old artist has remained visible — dropping new music, going on tour, and steering his own ship under Blown Boy Entertainment.
Ruger’s Story: A Message to Young Artists
Ruger’s journey reflects the reality many Nigerian artists face when stepping away from powerful labels. In an industry that demands loyalty — even at the cost of artistic freedom and fair treatment — those who choose independence are often vilified.
But Ruger is defying the odds.
Through resilience, self-belief, and a refusal to be boxed in, he continues to rise — proving that leaving a label isn’t the end. In many cases, it’s just the beginning.
