Ruel Vincent van Dijk (born October 29, 2002) was born in Isleworth, London, England. He is an Australian singer and songwriter. He is professionally known as Ruel. He has achieved remarkable success at a young age. Ruel gained prominence with his captivating singles such as "Don't Tell Me," "Younger", "As Long as You Care", and "Painkiller". In recognition of his talent, he was honored with the Breakthrough Artist award at the 2018 ARIA Music Awards for his single "Dazed & Confused".
Ruel's journey in the music industry began when his father shared a demo of him singing James Bay's "Let It Go" with Grammy Award-winning producer M-Phazes in 2015. This encounter led to the release of his debut single "Golden Years" in April 2017, produced in collaboration with M-Phazes. At the age of 14, Ruel made his live radio debut on Triple J's Like a Version, delivering a captivating performance of Jack Garratt's "Weathered." The video of this performance garnered half a million views within 48 hours, showcasing his incredible talent and stage presence.
"Don't Tell Me," released in July 2017, marked another milestone in Ruel's career, reaching number 86 on the ARIA Singles Chart. The track received high praise from renowned artist Elton John, who played it on BBC Radio 1. Ruel's rising popularity led to his inclusion in CelebMix's 21 songs by under-21s in 2018. Later that year, he signed with RCA Records internationally, further solidifying his presence in the music industry.
In November, Ruel joined Khalid on his American Teen Tour of Australia and New Zealand, providing him with a valuable platform to showcase his talent to a wider audience. Collaborating with beatboxer Tom Thum, Ruel contributed vocals to a cover of Rag'n'Bone Man's "Human," released in December.
On March 3, 2023, Ruel unveiled his highly anticipated debut studio album, titled "4th Wall." Inspired by the movie "The Truman Show," the album and its accompanying world tour explore the theme of breaking barriers and personal growth. Ruel's admiration for movies is evident in his creative approach to storytelling through his music. Additionally, the song "End Scene" draws inspiration from the film "Fight Club."
Through "4th Wall," Ruel aims to convey authenticity and personal growth, inviting listeners to connect with his experiences on a deeper level. Despite his young age, Ruel's talent and dedication have propelled him to great heights in the music industry, and he continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his soulful voice and compelling songwriting.