Nigerian singer-songwriter ru. has released her debut EP (extended play) Silk, a project she frames as a diary entry on the fluidity and strength of becoming.
The release follows her first single “i think i love you” and a remix with Magixx in 2024. Since then, she says, a team and a growing community of supporters have come together around her career.
“There’s just something about submitting to a will that is much higher than yours, smarter than yours, incredibly intelligent and also trustworthy,” ru. said. “It has never failed me yet.”
Debut EP and early reception#
Speaking ahead of a flight, ru. said the response to Silk has exceeded her expectations.
“I’ve been so floored, to be honest, in the best way possible. I didn’t know what to expect. I mean, I’m so confident in the work we did, just me by myself, feedback from my team and people whose ears I trust. But it’s a different ballgame entirely to hear people just resonate with what you’re doing or get it in the same way that you intended for them to. It’s been such a graceful welcome. It’s almost like they welcomed my baby with open arms, and it makes me feel so blessed because with art, it’s open to interpretation, and it’s not necessarily going to be the same way everyone receives it, but so far I’ve had really, really good feedback.”
She added: “I’m honestly in a very grateful place. I don’t say it’s more than I hoped for, because I tried not to have any expectations at all, period, so that I would be unaffected, you know? I try to protect my heart, but I’m just so grateful. I think God has done above and beyond with this so far, and I know it’s only the starting point, so I’m excited for the next few weeks as well.”
She described the EP as the first body of work that can announce a sonic identity for ru. “It mattered that I put my best foot forward and was excellent with it. I’m happy it’s paying off,” she said.
After a listening party in Lagos, ru. returned to Abuja.
Abuja roots and creative training#
ru. was born, raised and schooled in Abuja, except for university. She attended the American University of Nigeria, where she majored in Communications and Multimedia Design.
“It allowed me to learn about video direction, screenwriting, production, presenting, photography, videography, just many things that had to do with being behind the scenes, but creative processes in different fields of creativity,” she said.
She added that the major offered a range of opportunities because she was not yet sure what she wanted to do.
Influences and identity#
ru. said she did not set out to make music; she described it as a discovery she made in 2024. Growing up watching Disney Channel shows such as Hannah Montana and A.N.T. Farm shaped her creative outlook.
“My whole childhood was ‘Dare to dream. Dare to be different. You can do it if you want to.’ Maybe that’s why I have that kind of attitude towards life; I’m not scared to try things. I may be scared, but I will probably try it scared.”
She also recalled initially wanting to wear a mask while performing to feel comfortable enough to pursue music.
Her cited influences span multiple genres:
- Michael Jackson
- Bruno Mars
- Raye
- Tems
- Ayra Starr
- Outkast
- Bring Me the Horizon
- Chris Brown
- Justin Bieber
- Aretha Franklin
- Cleo Sol
“There’s nothing I don’t listen to. As far as it’s good music, it’s good music,” she said. “I do agree that little pieces of these things that have been pulling me definitely gather to make the sound I have now, or even parts of the personality of ru.”
The conversation also touched on alter egos. ru. said the concept “really, really does” help bring out something for creative people.
