Today, 18th April, Afro-fusion pop stars Bnxn and Ruger drop the highly anticipated 7-track joint project “RnB”.
The formidable Afrofusion singers penned every single lyric on the project whilst working with a collection of A-List producers, including Sarz, Blaisebeatz, and Kukbeatz. The elite production provides the perfect canvas for the singers to demonstrate the sultry tones they are renowned for, ‘RnB’ is a masterclass in vocals and musicality.
The singers set the tone early on with “Romeo Must Die (RMD)” which dropped last month, marking a historic moment demonstrating the first time Nigerian artists with a public rivalry have created a song together. The record has quickly amassed over 42 million streams, 128k+ Shazams, landed at No. 2 on the radio charts across Sub-Saharan Africa and the official Afrobeats UK Chart and debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Afrobeat Songs Chart.
True to their reputation as hitmakers, ‘RnB’ is bursting with singles that will make it a project that stands the test of time, including the uptempo summer anthem ‘Party Monster’ and the sultry Blaisebeatz produced ‘Not Done’. Speaking on the collaboration, BNXN said, “The competition has inspired us”, and Ruger added, “I work better with someone chasing me”. Bnxn and Ruger are two of Nigeria’s best songwriters with multiple No. 1 releases and chart-topping records.
Songs like “Mood” (Wizkid, Bnxn), “Finesse” (Pheelz, Bnxn), “Girlfriend” (Ruger), “Asiwaju” (Ruger) have all landed on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Song Charts as well as Apple Music and Spotify Charts. Last year, Bnxn shared his debut album Sincerely, Benson, his most heartfelt and honest project to date which debuted on both the Billboard Heatseekers and World Albums Charts.
The album featured the standout single “Gwagwalada” (ft. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez), which surpassed 230 million streams and landed at No. 47 Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart. Last year, Ruger also shared his debut album Ru The World, which debuted at No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard Reggae Albums Chart.
His breakout single “Asiwaju” reached No.1 in Nigeria and No.3 on the OCC Afrobeats Chart in the UK, and No. 27 on the U.S. Afrobeat Songs Chart. Since being awarded the 2022 Headies Next Rated Artist and dropping his debut album ‘Sincerely Benson’ in 2023, Bnxn has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of Nigeria’s most recognisable voices, achieving success both within the continent and internationally. From selling out The O2 Institute to touring ‘Sincerely Bnxn’ across Africa, Europe and beyond.
Hitting the Top 40 in The Official UK charts with his single ‘Propeller’ alongside UK rapper Dave on Jae5, he has solidified his status as a hitmaker. Bnxn’s single ‘Finesse’ also broke into the Official UK charts, peaking at 52 and was added to Barack Obama’s playlist. So far in Bnxn’s journey, he has collaborated with Wizkid, Zlatan, Burna Boy, Darkoo, Headie One, Pheelz, M Huncho, Jae5, Dave, and Stefflon Don.
Still, he has developed a fiercely individual sound as a solo artist. For a chance to see BNXN perform live, he is touring across Europe,, culminating in a Manchester show on 28th April. Since his debut single in 2021, Ruger, born Michael Adebayo Olayinka, has emerged as a dynamic force in the African music scene, swiftly garnering recognition and acclaim. In that same year, he earned nominations for prestigious awards such as AFRIMMA’s “Most Promising African Artiste” and clinched the AFRIMMA trophy for “Best Newcomer.”
The momentum continued into 2022, with a nomination for “Next Rated” at The Headies. In 2023, Ruger secured the AFRIMMA accolade for “Best Male West Africa” and the Soundcity MVP award for “Best New Artiste,” affirming his rising star status.
Embarking on a triumphant European tour that same year, Ruger showcased his captivating music to a global audience. In just two years, Ruger has unveiled a string of high-caliber projects, beginning with his debut EP “Pandemic,” followed by “The Second Wave” and its deluxe edition.
His breakout single “Asiwaju” soared to the summit of charts in Nigeria and claimed the #3 spot on the OCC Afrobeats Chart in the UK. Tracks like “Girlfriend” and “Bounce” further solidified his international appeal. Ruger’s debut album, “Ru the World,” featuring chart-topping lead singles “Kristy” and “Tour,” firmly establishes him as a trailblazing artist renowned for his distinctive style and magnetic music.
