They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery.
If there is someone who is feeling flattered right now, it is Nigerian superstar Ruger, who is known for hit songs like Bounce, Dior, and Girlfriend, among others.
Ruger, whose real name is Michael Adebayo, has a popular impersonator in Kenya by the name of Mark Paul, popularly known as Ruger wa Kayole.
In a recent interview with Citizen, Mark narrated how his life changed for the better after he started copying Ruger and bringing his hits to life in the streets of Kayole.
Not only has his TikTok following grown to over 600,000, but his schedule is now busy as he lands gigs to perform in various functions across Kenya. The Kenyan entertainer even has a manager now.
This is his journey as told by WoK:
The Beginning
Before he became Ruger, Mark Paul, who hails from Kayole, made his living as one of the official dancers for popular Kenyan musician Willy Paul under Flamers Dance Kenya, a career he described as financially rewarding.
His fascination with Nigerian pop star Ruger began in 2020 when Ruger released the hit song ‘Bounce’.
“I listened to the song and immediately fell in love with it,” Mark recalls. “I didn’t even know it was sung by Ruger at first. After some quick research, I discovered Ruger and his lifestyle, and I was hooked.”
Aside from his dancing career, he had been experimenting with various forms of social media content.
He became famous when an Instagram gossip channel posted a video of him performing Ruger’s ‘Girlfriend’ at a concert.
Limelight
This viral moment skyrocketed his social media following and propelled him to the limelight.
“I used to have a commendable following as Willy Paul’s dancer, but it shot when I changed to Ruger style,” says Paul, who now dons pink hair and an eye patch to mimic the real Ruger.
Since the show, which was at Greenspan Gardens, he was inundated with requests to perform at other events.
Initially concerned about potential copyright infringement and legal repercussions, Mark’s fears were alleviated when Ruger himself acknowledged and accepted his impersonation.
In an interview with BBC Entertainment, Ruger praised Mark’s efforts, stating, “He’s promoting my songs in a way because he’s not making his songs and saying that’s Ruger who made the songs; he’s singing mine. At the end of the day, they’ll go back to their house and stream the songs. That’s the most important thing. I beg everybody should calm down.”
He expressed the view that Ruger wa Kayole was merely trying to make a living, just like anyone else.
Mark Paul responded by expressing heartfelt thanks to the Nigerian superstar and expressed his wish to meet him.
Aside from himself, the entertainer says other Ruger impersonators have cropped up in other countries including Sudan but he considers himself the real deal.
His newfound fame has elevated his celebrity status in his neighborhood at Kayole although he says he prefers to maintain a low key. “Even when I go to town, I have to walk without an eyepatch as people keep interrupting me to request selfies,” he says.
However, the self-proclaimed bachelor says it is mentally costly to put up with the Ruger act due to numerous negative comments on social media.
He has since developed a thick skin from the comments, focusing on his act as a means to support himself and his family.
In case the impersonating act backfires, he says he has other businesses that would cushion him as he figures his next move.
