Ruger Gives Us ‘R.U. (Raw & Unfiltered) Vol. 1’
Nigerian Afrobeats icon Ruger returns on 7th August with a six-track EP titled R.U. (Raw & Unfiltered) Vol. 1. via Promised Land Records. Back with a renewed energy on this latest project, he continues to showcase that range is nothing short of a super power, as he moves fluidly across Afro-House, Baile Funk, R&B, Afro-Dancehall, Kizomba and Gospel.
R.U. (Raw & Unfiltered) Vol. 1 is a statement of intent from one of Afrobeats’ most fearless artists. Constantly evolving both sonically and creatively, Ruger continues to expand the reach of Afrobeats on the global stage, after reaching Top 1000 most-followed Spotify artists in the world in 2025, Ruger continues to grow with over 6 million global followers and with over a billion Spotify streams behind him.
Opening the EP is ‘She Don’t Like Men’, an R&B slow-burn that showcases Ruger’s more introspective side, as he delivers his vocals over smooth, understated production. Then follows Afro-dancehall ‘All Die’ and Afrobeats-Baile Funk fusion ‘Private Chef’ featuring Brazil’s own MC Morena, two tracks which carry the EP’s feel-good, energetic pulse.
The project then explores new sonic territory with lead single ‘Do Nothing’ featuring South African stars Musa Keysand Young Stunna. The collaborators craft a sultry and infectious 3-Step, Afro-House rhythm, and through this musical and cultural crossover, Ruger once again proves his affinity for experimenting beyond Afrobeats’ conventional production. ‘Loved At Home’ follows, with Ruger’s loverboy persona in full frame, as he leans into the romantic textures of Kizomba delivering a softer melody that explores themes of love, connection and devotion.
Closing the project is ‘Jesus Loves Me’, which offers the EP’s most unexpected moment. Rooted in Gospel influences, the closing track holds all of Ruger’s unmistakable Afrobeats identity and provides a reflective finale that embodies the creative freedom that runs through R.U. (Raw & Unfiltered) Vol. 1.
As one of the defining voices of Afrobeats’ new generation, 2025 saw Ruger perform across the world, with sold-out shows across the UK, EU, Asia and Australia. During this time he picked up a MOBO Award nomination and a spot on Spotify’s Global Artists To Watch list (alongside Lola Young and Mercury Prize winner Barry Can’t Swim). He also made his BBC 1Xtra Live Lounge debut and released a viral COLORS performance of ‘Toro’, a track off his sophomore album ‘BlownBoy Ru’ which he released earlier that year to critical acclaim.
Since bursting onto the scene, he has delivered global hits including ‘Asiwaju’, ‘Girlfriend’, ‘Dior’, ‘Bounce’, ‘We We’and ‘Toma Toma’ with Tiwa Savage. His growing international acclaim has seen him collaborate with artists including Rema, BNXN and David Guetta.
With R.U. (Raw & Unfiltered) Vol. 1, Ruger delivers his most genre-fluid project to date, one that reflects the full breadth of his artistry and sets the tone for where he’s heading next.