Houston’s music scene has birthed legends across genres, and Shelby Ruger is carving out her space to be among them one day.
Ruger is an emerging R&B talent with a penchant for raw storytelling. She is on a trajectory that promises to reshape the soundscape of contemporary music.
With a style reminiscent of Frank Ocean and Don Toliver, she brings a deeply personal and soulful approach to her craft, blending themes of love, identity and self-discovery with the unmistakable energy of her hometown.
Ruger found her passion for music at eight years old through her family. Growing up in a Dominican-American household, she discovered that singing helped bridge the language gap between her and her grandparents.
“I never could connect with them through just talking,” she shared. “But when I sang, I felt that connection.” From performing for her family during the holidays to distributing her own CD featuring a cover of Dance with My Father Again as a Christmas gift, her love for music was evident early on.
“Everything I write about is real.” “Whether it’s love, anger, regret—all of it is genuine.”
– Shelby Ruger, R&B Artist
Writing became another creative outlet for Ruger. In [Grady] middle school, she immersed herself in short stories and poetry, which naturally evolved into songwriting. When she reached [Lamar] High School, she began sharing snippets of her songs on social media. One of those early tracks, Deserve It, went viral on Twitter, marking the beginning of her rise in the industry.
With an associate degree in Sound Recording Technology from MediaTech Institute and a bachelor’s degree in Record Arts Technology from Texas State University, Ruger offers a comprehensive approach to her technical precision and artistic vision in audio production, videography and social media management.
“I’m going to school for film production. So I think in this landscape as a music artist, you must know how to make content and tell stories with your content. And so I think the most important thing that I’ve learned is how to like and frame that in the video world,” Ruger said. “It’s actually something I have, a lot of passion for because it’s just another way to be creative and have fun with the art that you’re creating.”
Social media has been a game-changer for Ruger. Her breakout single, Heartbreaker, which amassed over six million views, solidified her presence in the digital space and led to recognition from NPR’s Tiny Desk Tour and Apple Music Radio.
“Me and my friend were outside her apartment jumping up and down because we hit 5,000 likes. It was the first time I truly understood the power of social media.”
Despite Houston’s reputation for fostering independent artists, Ruger says young musicians face challenges in making their mark.
“There’s a disconnect between the older generation and us,” she says. “We’re trying to figure out how to make our imprint as young Houstonians who love their city.”
She finds inspiration in tight-knit creative communities that merge music, fashion and visual arts, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and mutual support.
One of her most cherished moments as an artist was performing at Wonderlight Wonder, an intimate venue that doubles as a coffee shop and a creative sanctuary for artists.
“It was the first time I felt truly connected to the people I was singing to,” Ruger says. “It felt like a home away from home.”
She values such spaces, emphasizing the need for more platforms where Houston artists can showcase their talent and engage with their audience.
While Ruger’s talent is front and center, part of the magic behind her upcoming EP lies in the chemistry and collaboration she shares with co-producer Yung Romo. The two met at MediaTech Institute, a media-focused school where Romo worked and Ruger was a student determined to master every aspect of her craft.
“I walk in the studio one day, and I’m just listening, like, wait, who is this girl? he recalls. “Her voice was amazing.”
It wasn’t just her vocals that caught his attention — it was her hustle. Romo, who has worked with several artists before, says Ruger stood out because of her relentless work ethic.
“She constantly records herself. Like, that’s what she actually went to school for — to learn how to record herself, mix her music, and just create independently,” he said. “Even in her free time, I would see her in the studio, every single day, working on her craft.”
That consistency and drive laid the foundation for a creative partnership that’s now several years strong.
As a co-producer, Romo describes his job as creating the vibe — a sonic blueprint that Shelby transforms with her words.
“She comes in with ideas or we both do and I try to pull that idea out of her head and translate it into music,” he explained. “She’s the lyricist, I’m the sound. Together, it becomes this big energy we’re building.”
And as for what fans should expect?
“Definitely stay tuned for her upcoming music, because I feel like it’s gonna change the world,” Romy said. “This EP feels like a journey — something that uplifts people, brings good energy, and just sets the tone for what’s next.”
Authenticity is at the core of Ruger’s music.
“Everything I write about is real,” she said. “Whether it’s love, anger, regret—all of it is genuine.” She champions individuality in her work, believing that true artistic power lies in embracing one’s unique identity.
Her personal mantra, “Know your power,” encapsulates this philosophy. “Nobody can be me. Nobody can be you. That’s where our power lies.”
As an openly LGBTQ+ artist, Ruger approaches identity with a nuanced perspective. While she acknowledges the importance of representation, she prefers not to be defined solely by labels.
“I want to exist in a world where it doesn’t matter who you love,” she said. “I just want people to connect with my music because of what it makes them feel.”Ruger is gearing up for the release of her new EP, Last Night in Houston, which will be released on May 21.
