Rukmani has released her sophomore EP, Softies Vibe, an eight-track project that explores desire, sensuality and self-assurance across R&B, soul, afrofusion, dancehall and amapiano-inflected soundscapes.
The EP follows her debut album 3XL and the Angel On The Run EP, and gives fuller shape to the “Softie” identity that has become central to her artistry.
According to the Nigerian R&B singer, the project gathers different versions of herself from different moments in her life into an intimate exploration of tenderness and sensuality.
Softies Vibe opens with “MOG” (Matter on Ground), on which Rukmani asserts self-assurance as the subject of attention. “Lock It In,” featuring Ema Onigah, pushes that confidence toward flirtation, while “Down for It” leans further into desire and attraction. “Sneaky Link” complicates the mood with secrecy and borrowed time, built around trumpets, electronic textures and relaxed percussion.
The second half sharpens the tension between confidence and emotional exposure. “Property,” featuring Tar1q, is an exchange built around mutual attraction, trust and emotional surrender. “Whine,” with F3line, slows into a more intimate space shaped by close dancing and sustained chemistry. “Top 5” introduces vulnerability without abandoning standards, as Rukmani makes clear she has no interest in being treated as one option among many. The EP closes with “Check on Me,” which returns to the self-assurance of the opening track.
Rukmani said vulnerability does not diminish her ambition or loyalty. “Being vulnerable doesn’t erase the fact that I’m hardworking,” she said. “It doesn’t erase the fact that I’m loyal or that I’m a trustworthy friend. It doesn’t erase the fact that when I want something, I go after it.” She added that the irony of being a Softie is that “we can be tender and emotional and vulnerable, and at the same time, we can be incredibly strong”.
Born and raised in Port Harcourt and now based in Lagos, Rukmani began singing in church at the age of six. She started her professional career in 2021 and has since built a catalogue positioned at the meeting point of R&B, soul and afrobeats, shaped by emotive vocals and personal storytelling. Her influences include Styl-Plus, 2Face and P-Square.