Rukmani Sets the Stage for Her EP with “Gateway Drug”

Rukmani once said in an interview that she makes music “for the soul.” That may be true, but in her debut, the single Gateway Drug, the singer and songwriter’s concerns are primarily of the flesh. The Port Harcourt-based artist sings and raps about sex, her subject set to a soulful, unrushed sonic setting created by Wavskinny and Mirra Pro. The song’s title seems to be a metaphor for the escapism afforded by lust that finds fulfillment, but in her singing, Rukmani is subtle about her sensual subject. So rather than sheer carnality, the song evokes the image of a dimly lit bedroom at sundown, its rug a red grass of confetti, the air thickly rich with the smell of scented candles. The singer doesn’t explicitly state it, but we know what’s about to go down. 

Gateway Drug is of humble beginnings. It was first recorded on a phone before Rukmani fleshed out the RnB jam in a studio in 2022. The year before was when she first started to record music professionally. We spoke to her and gleaned some insights into her process.

What was it like recording gateway drugs? What inspired the process, when did you record it?

I knew gateway drugs would be a gateway to better things the moment I finished writing and recording my demo. It was fueled by creativity and intimacy between two lovers. I recorded it sometime in 2022. It actually started on a phone recording then I headed to Kroxx studio to record. Blissful experience.

When and how old were you when you started making music? 

Honestly, I have been singing for as long as I can remember. I actively started recording professionally in 2021 but if it’s singing I have been doing like forever. 

What kind of music do you make? And how would you describe your sound? 

I make music for the soul. My sound sparks feelings of either excitement or pain and that’s because I’m usually deep inside myself when I write. Typically, I’ll say my music is inspired by the feelings I have internally and the things I see externally, my environment plays a huge factor in determining in my music. 

What is the feeling you get when you are in the studio?

I feel at home in the studio regardless of if I’m able to create something or not. Just being present and hearing the music gives me a nostalgic feeling, I can also imagine being anywhere in the world. 

What are the core messages of your music, what do you want people to know you for when you make music?  

I am very spontaneous and I’d like people to know that about me. I want them to be excited about not knowing what to expect. Also, I want people to get a nostalgic feeling while listening to me. Like they’ve felt what I feel and like they can get some form of peace or comfort knowing that it’s relatable and that they are not alone. I want to make impactful music. 

What are we expecting from you in the future?

Softie vibes. That’s the movement. 

In the meantime, watch Gateway Drug‘s music video, which was directed by Clarence Peters: