Ruger is a provocateur by design. From his debut, the eyepatch-wearing artist has mastered the art of standing apart. He moves with the assurance of an artist who knows his place in the conversation — and is determined to stay there. This year alone, his relevance has been further gilded by POE, a joint project with former rival, BNXN, that spawned chart-topping hits, and a festival tour that cemented his reputation as an unassailable force on the global stage. And yet, Ruger thrives in the paradox of constant motion — he moves fast, but always with precision.

“Toma Toma,” his latest offering, sees the Blown Boy in rare form. Here, he partners with the indomitable vocalist Tiwa Savage. With his voice — limber, textured, and always in control — he brings an earworm quality to every line, verses sharply rhythmic, seasoned deliciously by his impeccable melange  of Portuguese, Yoruba, English and Pidgin. Afrobeats this year has been a playground for reinvention, with artists experimenting beyond the genre’s usual boundaries, and “Toma Toma” is Ruger’s submission — one that pays off. Produced by Kukbeatz, the track is rooted in Afrobeats but dipped in the insistent pulse of baile funk, a style that thrives on its raw, percussive urgency.

While “Toma Toma” is a song where Ruger follows his braggadocious traditions, celebrating his mighty talent and deserved success, he also hints at the precariousness of that success, acknowledging the hurdles along the way. “Rain dey fall no mean say storm is over,” he croons. There’s no room for complacency in Ruger’s world. He knows that staying at the top is a continual fight. But what makes “Toma Toma” stand out is the restless creativity and lightness with which he approaches this battle.