Meet Shelby Ruger

We recently connected with Shelby Ruger and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelby , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

The day I found my purpose was Christmas Eve. I was around 14 or 15 at the time. Every year on Christmas Eve, my mom’s side of the family gets together, and we have fun. We eat, catch up, and open gifts. However, this year, they begged me to sing a song that I had written, and so I did. I don’t remember the name of the song or even how the lyrics or melody went. But I do remember the connection I felt with my family in that moment.

My abuelos are immigrants from the Dominican Republic, so it was often challenging to have conversations with them due to the language barrier. However, when I sang my song, I felt more connected to them than I had in the 15 years I had known them. In that moment, nothing else mattered. And that’s when I realized that my purpose was to use my music to transcend all barriers and connect with everyone: one note at a time.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My name is Shelby Ruger, and I am a singer-songwriter from Houston, TX. I create music in various genres, including pop, R&B, hip-hop, and reggaeton. I have always been influenced by many different cultures because I grew up in a racially diverse household. My mother is Dominican, and my father is black. This upbringing has given me a special connection to the music I create, as it is deeply rooted in the experiences and surroundings of my upbringing.

My story begins with my middle school English teacher, Mr. Jackson. Looking back, I realize how significant his class was in shaping the person I would become later in life. It was in his class that I discovered a deep love and passion for writing, particularly storytelling. This is what I strive to do in my music: tell stories that connect with others. When you listen to my music, it evokes a youthful feeling and a desire to simply enjoy the moment. However, I want people to experience a range of emotions when they hear my music. I want them to feel happy, angry, sad, excited—basically, the entire spectrum of emotions. Because I believe that the one thing that connects all human beings, regardless of gender, age, or sexual orientation, is the ability to feel. And that, to me, is a truly beautiful thing.

The first time I shared my music with others, aside from my family, was in high school. I would download type beats from YouTube and write songs to them, which I would then post on Twitter. One of the songs I wrote, titled “Deserve It,” gained unexpected popularity among my classmates. It ended up being the first song I ever released.

Afterward, I took a short break, but I never stopped writing during that time. Some of the best lyrics of my life came to me during that period, and some of them made their way into my debut album, LVSCK (release date to be determined). Anyway, my return to music began when I attended an audio engineering school. They taught me everything I needed to know about manipulating sound and producing music. During my time there, I released a single called “Ihatefacetime” and my debut EP, “Globetrotter,” which was inspired by my favorite movie, Forrest Gump. It was also during this time that I met my go-to producers, The OTH3RS (producers of “Globetrotter”), and Yung Romo Beatz (producer of LVSCK). Additionally, I was able to form a hip-hop and R&B group called .WAVS CREW, consisting of myself, Houston-based rapper Jay Kell, and The OTH3RS (Jeremey Kelley and Ronnie Harper). Together, we recorded a joint album called “.WAVS.” Our debut single for that project is set to be released in late July of 2023. Towards, the end of my time there I began experimenting with pop music, which led to my most recent single in Goodbye. Right now I’d saying I’m definitely in plotting mode. So just look out for me because you will be hearing from me soon.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I want to make it clear that I am still on my journey, fully aware that there is a lot more for me to learn, and this is only the beginning. However, in the time I’ve dedicated to my music and honing my crafts, I believe the most important skill I’ve acquired is the ability to plan without allowing planning to hinder action. As creatives, we often struggle to share our art with the world because it is deeply personal to us, and we have an emotional attachment to it. Nevertheless, withholding our art prevents something beautiful from happening, which is connecting with others through it. Another valuable skill I’ve learned is to stop waiting for inspiration to strike and instead create every single day, regardless of circumstances. During my time in school, I was fortunate to have access to studios where I could record and, most importantly, experiment with my sound. I pushed myself to create a new song every day, and it was through this discipline that I produced my best work at the time. The third and most crucial lesson I’ve learned is that a goal remains a mere dream until it is backed by a plan and a process. I often contemplate this, and recently I came across a quote on Instagram that struck a chord with me. It said that people often rush to acquire the latest iPhone or keep up with celebrities’ lives before figuring out what they must do to make their own dreams a reality, before their opportunity passes them by. Learning this lesson was challenging for me because sometimes the people we care about most in our lives fail to grasp it, and sadly, we must distance ourselves from them.

The best advice I can offer to anyone starting a new journey is to have fun. Social media has created a false notion that we should already be someone or have a certain status that we haven’t yet achieved. The reality is that everyone’s journey is unique. So, simply enjoy the process and never forget the reasons why you embarked on this endeavor in the first place.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

This is challenging because, on my journey to where I am now, there are numerous individuals who have contributed to my success. However, the people who have imparted the most profound lessons that have stayed with me are my parents, Kelsey Ruger, and Mabel Marrero.

Writing was my first love, but basketball quickly became my second. I vividly recall my dad taking me outside to run drills when I began playing basketball. Every morning at 4:30 AM, I would wake up and practice my shot. It was during those drills that my dad instilled in me the belief that nothing was worth pursuing if I wasn’t willing to give it my all. That’s why I pour my heart and soul into my music and my message.

My parents always nurtured my interests and never instilled fear in me when it came to pursuing my passions. When I initially showed an interest in music, my mom took me to a small recording studio where I had the opportunity to record a CD. I distinctly remember how special it felt when I sang into the mic, as if I had always belonged there. Every time I step into the recording booth, it brings me back to that moment from my childhood. It truly holds a special place in my heart.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Anthony Juarez Trevaughnte Dedmon Janice Ashley James

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