Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Michael Olayinka, better known by his stage name Ruger, has opened up about the intense backlash and professional isolation he faced following his controversial exit from his former record label, Jonzing World.
In a revealing episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, the “Bounce” crooner shared how leaving the label in 2024 came with unexpected consequences, not just from fans, but also from key figures within the music industry.
“After leaving the label [Jonzing World], there were a lot of comments about it. Some people were saying, ‘This is the last year you’re going to tour’, ‘This is the end’, ‘You’re finished’, this and that,” Ruger recounted. The reaction was swift and cold. As he explained, he quickly found himself blacklisted, a move that saw fans withdraw their support and industry colleagues keep their distance.
“Not everybody were willing to help me because the public sentiment once you leave a label in Nigeria is that you are ungrateful. Many people don’t want to associate with that person, even those in the same industry. It happens,” he said.
Ruger’s departure from Jonzing World, a label founded by D’Prince, who played a pivotal role in his early rise was shrouded in controversy. After parting ways, the artist announced the birth of his own imprint, Blown Boy Entertainment, signalling a new and independent chapter in his career.
However, building from the ground up came with immense pressure.
“I was battling cancel culture. I had to meet a lot of people and reintroduce myself. I was doing a lot of things from the scratch. It’s stressful, I’m not going to lie. It’s not easy to leave a label. You have to build your own system. It was just like starting everything over again. But because I was strong inside, I was also down but I was still strong, I triumphed,” Ruger shared.
His words shed light on the darker side of the music industry; a system where loyalty to labels often outweighs an artist’s independence, and where a single decision to go solo can cost one not just gigs, but relationships, endorsements, and audience trust.
Now steering his own ship, Ruger appears to have turned the tide. With new music, fresh collaborations, and growing global reach, he’s redefining his career on his own terms. His story stands as both a cautionary tale and an inspiring reminder of the strength it takes to survive and thrive in an industry quick to cancel, but slow to forgive.
