Kenyans are known to be a creative lot who explore available opportunities to earn a living and make ends meet.
Over the years, a good number of Kenyans have made headlines for taking advantage of an opportunity that presented itself to them and turned into a money-making venture.
One such Kenyan is Mark Paul alias Ruger wa Kayole, who makes a living from mimicking Nigerian Afrobeats singer Michael Adebayo Olayinka, popularly known as Ruger.
Speaking during an interview on NTV's The Trend show, Ruger wa Kayole disclosed that he has been in the entertainment industry as a content creator, dancer, and hypeman for over 15 years.
According to him, his craft was yet to pick up until he decided to impersonate Ruger.
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Opening up on what pushed him to mimic the Afrobeats musician, Ruger wa Kayole noted that he fell in love with one of the musician's 'Bounce' hit songs.
He therefore decided to dye his hair and get an eye patch so as to resemble the authentic Ruger.
"I liked his song 'Bounce,' so I said I want to be like this guy. I decided that I should dye my hair and wear this craftsman's eye patch to look like him," he said.
File image of Ruger wa Kayole at an interview. [Photo: Courtesy]
As of September 2023, he had been invited to perform at three shows, but he is hopeful that with his videos going viral on social media, he'll land more invites.
Currently, he only sings Ruger’s songs but has not recorded any personal song. He, however, notes that one of his plans is to get into a studio and produce his own songs.
Before going for shows, Ruger wa Kayole notes that he listens and masters the lyrics, adding that he has specific Ruger hits that he performs.
Although impersonation is a crime, Ruger wa Kayole has the blessing of the authentic Ruger who noted that he has no problem with the Kenyan artist.
According to the authentic Ruger, the impersonator is helping promote his songs in the country.
"I wish him well. I am happy for him, he is making his peace, and everyone must eat. Man is just trying to hustle, he is actually promoting my songs in a way because he is making his songs and saying that it is Ruger who made the songs, he is singing my songs, and at the end they will go back to that sons, stream it, everybody should calm down," Ruger stated.
