Ruel

Ruel, born Ruel Vincent van Dijk on October 29, 2002, is an Australian pop and R&B singer who was discovered as a teenager after his father sent a cover video to producer M-Phazes. Their 2017 collaboration «Golden Years» launched his career, followed quickly by singles «Don't Tell Me», «Dazed & Confused», and «Younger», all later collected on his debut EP «Ready».

Ruel's voice — a soulful, mature tone that belied his young age — combined with polished, contemporary pop-R&B production made him an early standout among a new generation of Australian pop artists. He became the youngest artist to win the ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist, for «Dazed & Confused», and the youngest male singer to headline the Sydney Opera House, with several of his early singles certified Gold in Australia.

His rise was boosted by high-profile endorsements, including Elton John praising him on his radio show and Dr. Dre featuring «Don't Tell Me» in a film, as well as tour slots supporting Khalid and Angus & Julia Stone. Later songs such as «Face to Face», «Not Thinkin' Bout You», «Hard Sometimes», and «Painkiller» expanded his catalogue while retaining the emotionally direct songwriting that defined his early work.