Get to Know Rising Singer Rueth Poised to Make a Lasting Mark in the R&B Space
The South African music landscape is one of shared dominance, and between amapiano, hip-hop, house, and R&B, rising stars flower with every passing year who either push frontiers in their respective genres or reinvigorate the game with their sprightly new voices. Such is the case with Limpopo-born singer-songwriter Ruth “Rueth” Shai, who’s eclectic musical energy, evident just two albums (I’m Rueth and The Playlist) deep into her career, adds another shade to the already-colourful spectrum of Mzansi R&B.
From tending the flames of her passion or music at a young age and nurturing it in high school alongside the choir to gradually filling out the shape of her talent’s potential by phasing into the professional circuit of music, Rueth shared some details on her comeup.
“Rueth is just an ordinary girl born and bred in a small community of Solomondale. I grew up in a home full of love and warmth and of course a house full of music lovers. I got exposed to different genres in my home from jazz to gospel and I also began to explore more when I got to high school,” she said of her upbringing.
Rueth | SUPPLIED
The 23-year-old nascent songbird recently dropped her latest single “Wun’t I”, a tale of two youths caught up in the cobweb of a messy and seemingly one-sided romance, wherein the girl comes to find out that her lover has been posting on the socials about how he didn’t feel the same way about her. Drawing inspiration from the rich cesspool of the culture inundated with communities thriving on nonchalance and toxicity in relationships, she spoke about the making of the song and the story backing the track.
“The story behind “Wun’t I” comes from relationship problems we all face every day. It’s not a personal experience, but I wrote it according to what I know most people will relate to because usually relationships are filled with lies and honesty is always the bigger problem. So, I just wanted to write a song where people could relate to the story I shared,” she said.
Check out “Wun’t I”:
Off the heels of her single, Rueth gave a sneak peek of what the rest of the year was going to look like, with an extended play on the horizon and more ear candy for all the lovers, the hopeless romantics, and those who fritter their days away daydreaming about what it is to love and to be loved.
“I’d like to announce that I will be dropping a few singles, but the bigger fish is that I will be dropping an EP titled CUPID sometime later this year, and it’s gonna be a project that will have 7 tracks talking about love, heartbreak and everything that involves love,” she said.
Even though she’s still making her way to the peak of the powers, she spoke about what was important to her when she thought about her own artistry. Thinking forward and contemplating the future, she spoke about the vitality of creating art with depth and shared hopes of leaving a long-lasting mark in the hearts of her listeners and in the R&B and soul industry.
“I’d like to inspire listeners to embrace their individuality, self-expression, and creativity. As an artist, it is important to experiment with new sounds, and styles. My wish is to also empower my listeners to take action, to make a difference, and to be part of positive change through songs that carry a deeper meaning. And last but not least, I want to make a meaningful impact through my music, to leave a lasting legacy in the R&B and soul space,” she said.
Rueth | SUPPLIED
The songbird had sobering thoughts about the current state of R&B in Mzansi, feeling that it has been a benchwarmer in the grand scheme of music and fearing that the genre could atrophy in the coming years.
“Honestly, I feel that R&B in SA is currently being and has been sidelined and not taken seriously, which doesn’t really sit well with me because this genre is not just music but rather a lifestyle and a culture that carries a deeper meaning. Moreoever, it is relatable. I feel like it really deserves a shot in the spotlight and if the way things are continue in the coming years, the future of R&B in SA could be wiped out,” she said.
Rueth spoke about tracing her steps all the way back to old-school R&B to improve her artistry, and shared her feelings about trying out jazz alongside her music.
“As a musician, I always look out for things to inspire me and keep my energy alive to write and do more R&B. I think going back to the old R&B soulful vibes will keep me alive because I feel like going back to those roots will ignite more fire to keep me standing and to continue growing stronger in the industry. I think I would also like to explore and try jazz, while I’m at it. I like how smooth and soulful it is. And with my R&B background, I think I will blend in well within the jazz setup,” she said.