When ru. first arrived on my Spotify Shuffle, her smooth, sonorous vocals instantly caught my ear. At the heart of ru.’s artistry is a restless devotion to honest storytelling. Born Ruth Unde, the Abuja-bred singer-songwriter has spent the past two years transforming personal experiences into warm, emotive songs that wander through romance, faith, femininity and self-discovery.

Her entry into music started somewhat accidentally. In 2024, she introduced her brand with “i think i love you,” an intimate love song inspired by a real-life experience. A remake featuring Mavins hitmaker Magixx came the following year, showcasing her tender songwriting and soulful delivery towards a wider audience. Her subsequent release, “Woman,” placed her evolving femininity at the centre of her music.

Now, her just-released debut extended play, SILK, extends her career vision, unfurling as the clearest portrait of her musical evolution. Across five songs ru. examines desire, vulnerability, ambition and the complicated process of becoming. The resilience of SILK becomes her central metaphor for womanhood, positively emasculating the idea of feminine softness. Her diaristic writing binds the project together as she pieces fragraments of her experiences into the project.

Two years into a career she never imagined for herself, ru. is beginning to understand the type of artist she wants to become. She envisions music as a place of emotional clarity, with her faith shaping the responsibility she feels towards listeners. Catching up with Guardian Music, she discusses her unexpected journey into music, studying communications and multimedia design, the making of SILK, and her ambition to become one of her generation’s most trusted songwriters.

Congratulations on SILK. When did your journey into music begin?
It’s a crazy story, although it might not sound so crazy. I’m still very new and very green. In 2024, I stumbled upon something I felt I could do and genuinely enjoyed, so I decided to give it a try. My first release came out in September, during the final quarter of the year. That was my first official work.
Music was something I tried and discovered that I really liked. I’m not one of those people who had dreamt of doing music since childhood. I’ve gone through different phases at various points in my life, and this happened naturally. I had a couple of friends who watched me experiment and helped me through the process. We mixed a song, I opened a DistroKid account, and I released it. It was really that simple.

What was the first song you released?
It was called “i think i love you.”

That is one of my favourite songs from you. Why did you begin your career with a love song, and what attracted you to R&B?
It wasn’t the only song I had recorded at the time, although it was my favourite. A lot of the songs were about love because I’m a hardcore lover girl. “i think i love you” came from a real-life story.
I’m big on stories. Authentic stories usually come through more strongly, and people can always tell when something is true. The song was very easy for me to write, and it felt like a good place to begin melodically. It might not be the most upbeat record, but it is real. It resonated deeply with me, and I hoped it would do the same for everyone who listened to it.

Who were some of your major musical influences when you began experimenting with your sound?
I love Michael Jackson. I also love Ayra Starr, Tems, RAYE, Bruno Mars, Olivia Dean, Burna Boy and Ed Sheeran. My taste covers a wide range of music. I really like Magixx and Qing Madi as well. Chris Brown is another major influence. I connect with different artists for different reasons, so those are only a few of the people I actively listened to at the time.

What did you study at university?
I started as a science student and later switched to a more open course. I felt it would give me the time and opportunity to pursue other interests. Studying science required a lot of my time, and I couldn’t explore the other things I was interested in. The sacrifice no longer felt worthwhile.

I switched to Communications and Multimedia Design at the American University of Nigeria. The course had several electives that opened my mind and introduced me to production and other creative fields. I had already dabbled in scriptwriting, photography, videography and cinematography. Studying the course allowed me to explore those interests and develop creative skills that are now useful in my career.

Where was your headspace when you began making SILK?
Some of the songs weren’t originally made for the project. I was simply creating music at the time. The biggest question was what my philosophy was during that period and where my mind was.

I was focused on becoming and exploring different aspects of my womanhood. From releasing “Woman” to this current era, there has been a lot of searching and looking within. I kept asking myself: Who is this woman? What is she about? What is ru.’s message? What parts of my personality are real and worth sharing?

Authenticity is very important to me. Every song selected for the EP displays a different side of me, which makes it a vulnerable project. Some of the songs sound fun because the music is sweet, but the lyrics carry serious stories. I sit down and write my songs with a lot of intention.

The title came from the nature of silk. It is soft, shiny and usually perceived as delicate. It also possesses incredible strength. Spider silk rivals steel in strength, which feels connected to my own life story and the experience of women generally. People have underestimated me because I’m soft or because I present myself in a particular way. My softness and strength exist together. That is what this era represents.

Which song on the project feels most personal to you?
I would say “Colours” because it holds everything together. “Entertainer,” “Falling” and “Girly Girl” represent different pieces of me, while “Colours” feels like a mixture of everything.

The song encourages me to do more, become more and allow myself to take up space. It extends that same message to everyone listening. I like to think of myself as a missionary of some sort. I discover truths about myself and wonder how they might liberate someone else.

“Colours” is a message from the person I want to become to the person I am right now. It comes from the woman I am growing into, which makes it very vulnerable and personal. It carries a beautiful message, so that would be my pick.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t making music?
I’m a homebody. I love books and enjoy experiencing stories in any form. I love movies and television shows, so you will probably find me at home most of the time. I also enjoy good food and playing games on my phone. I like activities that engage my mind, and I genuinely enjoy my own company.

I’m not always surrounded by people or outside. This career is pushing me to become more social and network more. Ideally, I’ll be at home reading a book, learning about something or watching a film whenever I’m not writing a song.

What is your long-term vision for your career?
I want to make music that resonates with people and transcends language. I want to create songs that connect with listeners and reach them deeply. I want to become a voice for people who haven’t found the words to express what they are feeling.

I also want to become a trusted source. One problem I have sometimes when listening to music is that I cannot always trust its spiritual source. A record can sound beautiful while carrying an energy that doesn’t feel clean to me. I want people to feel safe listening to my music. They should know that I’m writing about real experiences, motivation, love and the finest parts of life.

My ambition is also to reach the apex of songwriting. I care about lyricism, the technicality of music and the craft of writing beautiful stories. Every genre has its place and purpose. I want to become an artist who uses words intentionally.

Having influence at any level carries a huge responsibility. I want that intention to be clear in my music and in how I express myself. I hope I eventually reach a point where I no longer have to explain it. People should hear my music, experience my artistry and understand who I am and what I’m trying to achieve, by the grace of God.