Michael Adebayo Olayinka by birth, “Ruger” by popularity. Back and blazing is today’s star act with the hit single that has got listeners singing along to Asiwaju.

Ruger is a tried and trusted household name. One thing that sets him apart from the other big names like Davido, Machala, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy and the likes is the unique sprinkle of Gen Z he brings and effortlessly so.

Michael Adebayo Olayinka piqued interest in music in his teens. He was a member of the school’s music band and also a part of his church choir. Things really started to shape up for him after D’Prince discovered him and gave him the name “Ruger”. Today, Ruger is signed to Jonzing World record label and has some of the most popular Nigerian hits to his name – Snapchat, Bounce, Girlfriend and Red Flags, to name but a few.

The hit song of today was produced by Kukbeat. It isn’t much of a surprise as he is behind many of Ruger’s hit songs. Like a well-oiled machine, their expertise rubs the right way. To give a little peak at the feel of Kukbeat’s sound, some of Ruger’s popular songs produced by him are Girlfriend and Bow.

Asiwaju has a slow afrobeat vibe to it, soft on the eardrums, easy to listen to and get hooked on. Ever so sing-alongy and toe-tappy. The kind of song you could either have a slow vibe-dance to or a sit-and-reflect kind of feel. Not too much base or heavy reverberations, just the right amount of everything, if you are into that sort of thing.

Champion, first in line, a person that takes the lead/is always ahead of others are some of the rough translations for the Yoruba word “Asiwaju”.

In today’s hit track, Ruger uses lyricism to express just how he feels about his creative genius. The artist tells listeners tales of how he is leading in all areas of the music scene, he expresses how he is ahead of his peers and possess high skill in areas of money, music, including sex appeal, swag and all-round. It is generally as the title says, “Asiwaju” and it is quite clear from the lyrics…

See, I’m ahead of them, Asiwaju

I’m a fucking baller, Ighalo ni mi

No man fit talk shit to me

Ni ilu mi, you go collect o

See, omo na me dey lead, Asiwaju

I’m a fucking baller, Ighalo ni mi

No man fit talk shit to me

Ni ilu mi, you go collect o

Delivery and relatibility are two things Ruger has to be commended on with this track. The song is relatable in the sense that many listeners, if they are not already there yet, aspire to be at the pinnacle of their careers, which is basically what Asiwaju is about. And for those that are already at the peak, the song of the day serves as a reminder to take a minute to “feel yourself”; that is, fluff your own ego. Now, who wouldn’t want that?!

Delivery is on 100% as everything is blended to perfection.

Asiwaju is just the song listeners need to shake up their playlists whilst basking in the flavour of the festivities. Go on and give it a listen.

Didi Dan-Asisah is an art enthusiast and critic. She lives in Lagos.

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.