Nigerian singer Ruger recently shared a surprising story about the moment that first sparked his so-called “toxic traits” — and it dates back to when he was just six years old.
Speaking on the Bro Bants podcast, Ruger — whose real name is Michael Adebayo Olayinka — opened up about an early childhood experience that deeply affected him emotionally.
“There was this aunty I liked,” he said. “She used to call me ‘my boyfriend,’ so I thought she was mine.”
But what felt like innocent affection quickly took a painful turn. Ruger recalled being devastated when he saw her with another man, calling the moment traumatic.
Heartbroken, he said he cried while singing along to Styl-Plus’ breakup anthem Imagine That — a song that perfectly captured his mood.
“That experience shattered me,” Ruger admitted. “That was the beginning of my toxicity.”