In a music landscape often dominated by aggressive beats and sharp edges, Rukmani carves out a space defined by vulnerability and emotional honesty. Self-named “The Softie,” she embodies her moniker through both her artistic identity and her approach to music—creating soundscapes that feel like intimate conversations between old friends.
“I just want the music to feel like a hug,” Rukmani shares, describing the intended impact of her latest release, “From Softie to You,” her first offering of 2025. The track serves as a return after a period of transformation, blending R&B sensibilities with Afro-fusion elements into something that feels both familiar and freshly evolved. Like many artists whose work resonates deeply with their audience, Rukmani’s journey has been shaped by distance and longing.
Her latest single emerged from experiences of displacement—being away from home, separated from friends and her devoted fanbase whom she affectionately calls “Softies.” “Being away from home, my friends, and even my Softies left me feeling a little lonely at times,” she admits. “This song feels like a love letter to home, and to the people who feel like home to me. It’s my way of saying, it’s been a while, but I’m still here and I always will be, no matter what.”
This sentiment of making peace with transformation while honoring one’s roots forms the emotional core of Rukmani’s current artistic phase. Her music explores the complexity of evolution—acknowledging that growth often requires leaving parts of yourself behind while remaining connected to what matters most. What distinguishes Rukmani in an increasingly crowded musical landscape is her commitment to emotional authenticity. Her sound—mellow, intimate, and textured—creates space for listeners to process their own feelings alongside hers.
When asked about her approach to merging R&B with Afro-fusion elements while maintaining her signature mellowness, Rukmani reveals that her sound emerges organically rather than through calculation: “It wasn’t a super conscious decision to merge those sounds, it just flowed naturally. When I heard the beat, it felt almost nostalgic, and writing to it came easy, maybe because I had so much on my mind.” This intuitive approach to creation extends to her collaborative relationships. For “From Softie to You,” Rukmani worked with producer Saszy Afroshii, a partnership she describes with evident enthusiasm: “Working with her is so easy because she really understands emotions, and she gives me the space to express myself fully. Even if it means 20 takes just for ad-libs!”
What makes Rukmani’s music particularly compelling is how she transforms personal experiences into universal emotional landscapes. Rather than focusing on specific incidents, her lyrics distill collective feelings—loneliness, courage, love, and self-discovery. “Everything I was feeling at the time—missing home, navigating new spaces, reconnecting with myself—all of that found its way into the lyrics,” she explains about her recent release. This approach creates songs that feel simultaneously intimate and broadly relatable.
The visual component of Rukmani’s work reinforces this emotional authenticity. Collaborating with Oluchi Nsofor for visuals, she prioritized working with artists who could intuitively understand her message: “I have to commend Oluchi for her ability to really listen and feel. That means a lot to me, working with people who see beyond the surface and genuinely try to understand the message.”
Beyond creating beautiful music, Rukmani carries a message for listeners navigating their own journeys of growth and change: “I know I’m not the only one away from home, in a new environment, taking a chance on myself. It’s exciting, but it can also be scary. You end up leaving behind not just old ways, but parts of your old self too.” Her reassurance to fans comes through clearly: “I want listeners to know that creating a new version of yourself doesn’t mean you’ve stopped caring or that you’re doing it alone. You’re not. Stay true to who you are, and never forget the people who truly love you.”
This mission—to create music that accompanies listeners through various emotional states—defines Rukmani’s artistic purpose. When asked about the ideal setting for listening to her music, she responds: “Honestly, whatever mood or phase they’re in—whether they’re happy, sad, in love, or feeling a little lonely, I just want the music to feel like a hug. Something that’s there for them, no matter what.”
With excitement building around her artistic evolution, Rukmani is preparing to release her debut album, aptly titled “3XL.” The project promises to expand on themes already present in her work while maintaining her signature “soft, sexy storytelling” approach. Described as “exploring the journey of love in all its forms,” the eight-track album aims to capture “the highs, the softness, and the moments of choosing to stay.” Rukmani emphasizes that the creation process was “deeply personal and intentional,” focusing on expressing love in ways that feel authentic and genuine.
As she continues to carve out her unique space in the industry, Rukmani remains committed to vulnerability as strength—proving that in a world often defined by hardness, there’s profound power in choosing softness.
