Afrobeats star Michael Adebayo Olayinka, popularly known as Ruger, has spoken candidly about the realities of building relationships in the Nigerian music industry, describing genuine friendships as extremely rare.
In a recent interview, Ruger revealed that most connections in the industry are driven by business interests rather than authentic bonds. He emphasized that many people only maintain relationships as long as there is something to gain.
“One thing I wished I had known earlier is that no one is your friend in the industry. The most you can have is maybe two genuine friends that stand by you and want to see you grow. Even when things are bad, they are with you and making sure that you are good. That’s all, man,” Ruger said.
He further cautioned fellow artists not to be deceived by the hype or mistake popularity for loyalty. “Everything is business. Nobody cares. Just know that everything is business. They are moving around with you because you can offer at that time. The moment you might not be able to offer anything, a lot of people will switch,” he added.
Ruger’s remarks have sparked conversations about the competitive and sometimes isolating nature of the Nigerian music scene, with many fans and fellow artists echoing his sentiments about the importance of staying grounded and cautious in the industry.
