On the first anniversary of her critically acclaimed debut album 3XL, rising Nigerian R&B voice Rukmani returns with ‘Serial Kisser’ featuring alté pioneer Boj, a bold and intoxicating new alternative R&B single paired with the striking neo-soul offering ‘HIH (Hot In Here)’, revealing two complementary sides of her artistry at once.
On the addictive ‘Serial Kisser’, Rukmani leans into playful sensuality and feminine control, delivering a bold and mischievous mid-tempo R&B cut with alternative and afropop sensibilities built around the idea of affection as something magnetic, unforgettable, and entirely on her own terms.
Boj adds a darker, more seductive counterpoint to the track’s bounce and allure, switching between English and Yoruba with the slick and effortless flow that has long made him such a singular presence. At the same time, the chemistry between both artists gives the record the feel of a flirtatious back-and-forth exchange.
At its core, ‘Serial Kisser’ is driven by the tension between desire and discernment, exploring intimacy not as passive but as intentional, powerful, and self-possessed. It captures a side of femininity that is fun, sensual, liberating, and fully in control, with Rukmani stepping into the role of the “serial kisser” as both character and statement.
Alongside, ‘HIH (Hot In Here)’ offers a deeper, more inward companion piece. Originally written several years ago, the song has been revisited and re-recorded with a renewed, stronger sense of conviction, confidence, maturity, and artistic clarity, with Rukmani transforming what was once shaped by youthful uncertainty and tentative energy into something far more assured and fully realised. Rooted in self-belief, intentionality, sensuality, and confidence, ‘HIH’ captures the feeling of walking into a room and owning it, carried by the kind of presence and authority that does not need to announce itself to be felt.
Together, ‘Serial Kisser’ and ‘HIH (Hot In Here)’ reveal the range and richness of Rukmani’s artistry, while showcasing her ability to move between playful boldness and self-assurance without losing the emotional intelligence at the core of her music. Known for her distinct, piercing vocals, poetic songwriting, and afrobeats-inflected R&B sound, the Port Harcourt-born artist, songwriter, and producer continues to shape a discography that reflects the complexities of womanhood, desire, and emotional growth with honesty and grace.
Following acclaimed projects like 2024’s ‘Angel On The Run EP’ and her debut album ‘3XL’, which explored love, lust, and loss through an intimate, crossover-ready lens, this new double a-side further sharpens her voice as an artist with both vulnerability and edge, equally capable of seduction, reflection, and self-definition. With ‘Serial Kisser’ and ‘HIH’, Rukmani delivers two records that are ultimately anchored by confidence that is chosen, earned, and completely her own.
Speaking about the inspiration behind both songs, Rukmani says about ‘Serial Kisser’, “This is me at my most playful. I wanted to make something that felt free and unapologetic, a song where I get to be bold, cheeky, and completely in charge of the narrative. Having Boj on it was the cherry on top. His energy matched the vibe perfectly”.
As for ‘HIH (Hot In Here)’, the Lagos-based rising talent shares how the track developed, “I was beat surfing on YouTube years ago when I found the instrumental. I saved it, came back to it later, and wrote ‘HIH’ almost immediately. It’s intense for me because when I wrote it, I didn’t fully understand what I was writing about yet; it almost feels like my past self wrote it for the version of me performing it now. My manager later had me re-record it, and hearing the lyrics again hit differently. The song started revealing itself to me in a deeper way. You’ll feel it first before understanding it”.
