“I Gave My First Music Earnings to the Church” – Ruger Reflects on Humble Beginnings and the Impact of Wealth
Afrobeats sensation Michael Adebayo Olayinka, popularly known as Ruger, has shared a heartfelt story about how he dedicated the very first earnings from his music career to his church—a gesture of gratitude and faith that preceded a rapid financial breakthrough.
In a recent interview with VJ Adams, Ruger revealed that his first paycheck as a rising artist was ₦500,000, and instead of spending it, he gave it all to his church.
“I didn’t touch a kobo of it,” he said. “I gave everything to the church. Not long after that, I started seeing millions. My next payment was ₦1 million, and I felt like I had arrived. I went on a shopping spree. Then, within a year, even more millions followed.”
The “Asiwaju” hitmaker admitted that success and wealth have inevitably changed certain aspects of his life—but not in a negative way.
“Money changes everybody. That’s the truth. It changes how you handle things, how you react, even how you think. When you have money, some things just stop being stressful,” he explained.
Reflecting on his growth and aspirations, Ruger said he’s working towards a level of success where peace and composure define his daily life.
“I want to get to that point where nothing stresses me anymore. Look at Jay-Z—he doesn’t even respond to criticism or insults. That’s the level I’m aiming for. Silent success. Inner peace.”
Ruger’s journey from giving away his first paycheck to becoming one of Afrobeats’ breakout stars is not just a story of talent and hard work—but also of faith, gratitude, and personal evolution.
