Ruger reveals he gave his first N500,000 music earnings to church, crediting faith for his early breakthrough and success.
Now a millionaire, the Afrobeats star reflects on how wealth changed his mindset and dreams of Jay-Z-level calm and maturity.
Nigerian Afrobeats star Michael Adebayo Olayinka, popularly known as Ruger, has opened up about the early days of his music career and how he chose to dedicate his very first earnings to his faith. In a revealing interview with media personality VJ Adams, the “Asiwaju” crooner shared a personal story about sacrifice, success, and how financial growth has impacted his lifestyle and mindset.
Ruger recalled that when he received his first payment from music an amount totaling N500,000 he decided to give the entire sum to his church. According to him, the gesture was an act of gratitude and devotion, as he believed in putting God first at the beginning of his journey. “When I first started out, my first paycheck from music was N500,000. I remember giving the entire amount to the church. I didn’t use it,” he said.
Not long after that heartfelt donation, Ruger’s music career began to take off in a major way. He revealed that his next payment was N1 million, and the sudden rise in income gave him a strong sense of arrival. “I was feeling like I had arrived. I went on a shopping spree,” he added, laughing. Within a year, the singer had already earned several millions from performances, streaming, and endorsements.
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Reflecting on the rapid success, Ruger admitted that wealth had brought noticeable changes in his behavior and perspective. “Money changed me in some ways. It changes everybody,” he said. “When you start making more money, your entire outlook on life shifts. The way you react to situations and carry yourself changes completely. Some people don’t even stress anymore once they have money.”
Looking ahead, Ruger expressed his desire to reach a level of peace and maturity similar to global icons like Jay-Z. He said he admired how Jay-Z doesn’t bother responding to criticism because of the level of success he has achieved. “That’s where I want to be calm, unbothered, and successful,” Ruger concluded.
His story has inspired fans, reminding many that success can start from a place of humility, faith, and vision.
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