Ruger leaves Jonzing World and reveals the industry nearly cancelled him, forcing him to rebuild his career and reputation from scratch with resilience
Nigerian singer Michael Adebayo Olayinka, widely known as Ruger, has opened up on the difficult aftermath after Ruger leaves Jonzing World, the label that first brought him into the spotlight.
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In a recent episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, Ruger shared how his 2024 exit from Jonzing World triggered a wave of backlash from both fans and industry colleagues.
The singer said many people turned their backs on him, accusing him of being ungrateful and even predicting the end of his career.
“After leaving the label, there were a lot of comments,” Ruger said. “Some said, ‘This is your last tour,’ ‘You’re finished.’
Many people didn’t want to associate with me. Even those in the same industry distanced themselves. It happens.”
He explained that the fallout was severe enough to make him feel as though he had to start his career all over again.
“It was stressful. It’s not easy to leave a label. You have to build your own system. It felt like starting all over again.”
Despite the pressure and emotional toll, Ruger said he stayed focused on rebuilding. “I was also down, but I was still strong inside. I triumphed.”
Now operating under his own imprint, Blown Boy Entertainment, Ruger is steadily regaining his footing in the Afrobeats scene. He said controlling his career gives him the freedom to shape his journey on his own terms.
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The artist, known for chart-toppers like Bounce and Dior, continues to prove that leaving a label does not have to mark the end—rather, it can be the start of a new chapter.
