Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Michael Aydenuga, better known as Ruger, has unleashed a torrent of criticism after dropping a blunt, body-shaming opinion on women who opt for Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery, claiming the procedure inherently signals "bad character." The 23-year-old "Asiwaju" hitmaker's X (formerly Twitter) post, shared on December 10, 2025, has racked up over 1.5 million views, 50,000 likes, and a deluge of heated replies, thrusting him into the center of a broader debate on beauty standards, personal autonomy, and male entitlement in the music industry.
In the now-infamous tweet, Ruger wrote in Pidgin English: “When i see girl with bbl I Dey straight up think say dem get bad character. Be like the procedure Dey come with small attitude and ogba.” The casual dismissal—translating to an assumption of poor morals and "extra attitude" upon spotting an enhanced figure—has been slammed as reductive, misogynistic, and emblematic of deeper societal biases against women's bodily choices. Critics argue it perpetuates harmful narratives that police female bodies while excusing individual accountability, especially from a young male artist whose lyrics often celebrate sensuality.
The backlash erupted almost immediately, with fans, feminists, and fellow celebrities flooding social media. Nollywood actress and influencer Tonto Dikeh fired back: “Ruger, your opinion is valid, but the delivery? Insensitive. Women enhance for confidence, not your judgment. Grow up.” Music peer Ayra Starr, known for her body-positive anthems, subtly shaded the post in her stories: “Character no dey hide under surgery. Check mirrors first.” On X, hashtags #RugerBBLGate and #BodyNotYourBusiness trended in Nigeria for over 12 hours, amassing 300,000 mentions. One viral reply from user @feministnaija read: “So BBL = bad character? What about men with fake chains and worse attitudes? Hypocrisy level: Expert.” Another user quipped, “Ruger dey assume say na 'ogba' dey worry us. Na your lyrics dey give small headache.”
Defenders, though fewer, pointed to Ruger's unfiltered style as "keeping it real," with one fan tweeting: “Omo, Ruger no lie. Some girls change after BBL, but that's on them, not the surgery.” However, the discourse has largely tilted toward condemnation, highlighting the dangers of celebrity influence on impressionable youth. Relationship coach Tomi Lakan weighed in via Instagram: “This isn't just a tweet; it's a teachable moment. Judging a woman's worth by her curves ignores the pressures of beauty culture. Ruger, retract and reflect.”
Ruger's comments come at a time when BBL procedures—fat transfers to enhance the buttocks—have surged in popularity across Africa, driven by social media aesthetics and global trends like the "BBL Effect" meme. Yet, the surgery's risks, including a reported 1 in 3,000 mortality rate from fat embolism, have made it a lightning rod for debate. In Nigeria, where Nollywood stars and influencers often share their journeys, Ruger's blanket stereotype has been decried as a setback for empowerment narratives. GistReel reported the post as “unnecessary judgment,” while Daily Post Nigeria questioned why women's bodies remain “a constant target for public scrutiny.”
As the conversation rages on, advocates like the Women Empowerment Network are calling for artists to use their platforms responsibly, urging Ruger to apologize and engage in dialogue. “Music moves culture—don't let it regress it,” tweeted activist @sheisdope. With Ruger's upcoming tour kicking off in January 2026, this buzz could either amplify his edginess or force a reckoning on accountability.
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