Ruggedman Biography | Conact

Ruggedman real/full name is Michael Ugochukwu Stephens born on the 20th of September, in Ebem
Ohafia, Abia state, is a United Nations Peace Ambassador/Legendary award winning Nigerian Indigenous rapper/Actor/Rugged Records n TSW CEO.

Ruggedman now “Ruggededybaba” Obtained his basic Education in Lagos state, and obtained a degree in Political Science from Lagos State University Ojo. He started
listening to rap music from around 1989,1999
was when he put out his own first cd for air play. The cd contained two
tracks: 1, What If? – which was produced by and also featured Paul Play
Dairo; and 2, “Gwo-gwo“.

These two tracks got massive airplay. Then in
2002 he decided to do a track criticizing a couple of Nigerian rappers
and the track titled Ehen Part 1 has blown sky high nation wide.

Every single track seems to have a massage to someone or the public. His two songs “BIG BROS” (in which he took on a so-called music mogul in
Nigeria for trying to stop my song getting played on radio stations
‘cos he talked about him) and “WHAT YOU GOT” (which is a dance track for
people who said all He can do is diss) both got mega air play in
Nigeria and abroad. his dance track is a favorite in a couple of Clubs
in London and Ireland.

RuggedMan and Adetoun Fujah

THE NAME RUGGEDMAN:

The name came when I was in high school and fresh into the rap game proper.
Every
one wanted a name that didn’t sound weak and Ruggedman was the one he
came up with, after he thought Rugged Soul was a bit too deep and the tag
‘Mc’ a bit over flogged.

INFLUENCES:

“My early influences came
from NWA, KRS One, Poor Righteous Teachers, Leaders Of The New School,
King Sun… etc. Now they are Nas, DMX, Eminem, Dr. Dre and especially all
the wack rappers in Nigeria” in his own words

APPEARANCES:

Ruggedman first ever performance was at a secondary school ceremony in 1992. From then
on it’s been performances in clubs and tertiary institutions. Other
places of performance are: Mr. Macho – University Of Lagos (UNILAG) –
1994; Nigerian Carnival – National Stadium – 1994; Home movie
soundtracks; Lyricist Lounge – held at club 11:45 for the Rap Legend
Guru from America, Eve and Kc & Jojo – show (performed alongside
Tony Tetuila).

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Some others are: part of the opening act for Lagbaja
some months back; a bit of acting in a Francis Agu movie, waka pass
(movie extra) too because I wanted to know how it’s done; radio jingle;
TV music show theme song (did the rap).
I also directed my first
music video 2002, which was D’Banj’s “Kiss me again video”. I addition,
opening act again for Lagbaja on 31st January 2003, where I started the
sales of my “Ehen” singles cd – which is doing quite well now. I also
organized a mock celebrity soccer match for The Kanu Heart Foundation,
where I got other Nigerian artistes and celebrities like Plantashun
Boiz, Paul Ik Dairo, Mr. Kool, Emma Ugolee, Maideena, Trybesmen,
Nomoreloss, e.t.c, to play football. It was mad fun.
He
performed at the national stadium at the Guinness stand for Coja All
African Games; and have also performed alongside Dance hall sensation
Sean Paul. Ruggedman’s been performing all over Nigeria right now. and is
Nigeria’s most wanted rap act at his time.

My
video, Peace Or War is the best video ever done by a Nigerian and was
number one for two and a half months on MBI top ten video count down.
Ehen has so far spent a year on the MTN top ten count down on Cool fm.
My new dance track “WHAT YOU GOT” has been #1 two months running on Star
101.5 fm’s World New Flavour chart show and is on all the radio station
charts.

AWARDS:

He won the Nigerian
Fanta Fame Award for best new rap act/group or duo 2003 on the 31st of
October.

He also added to that, three awards at the Gbedu
music awards for RAP ARTIST OF THE YEAR, BEST VIDEO OF THE YEAR, AND
SONG OF THE YEAR.

Awards have also been given to him by high schools and
tertiary institutions for my contribution to the development of Nigerian
rap music.

ARTISTES HE HAVE FEATURED ON THEIR SONGS RELEASED & UNRELEASED:

They are:
Tony
Tetuila (2 Tracks on his latest album), Paul Play Dairo, Tony Tonnero,
Lexzy Doo – formerly of the group X-Appeal, Sabina Jabari, D’Banj’,
Segun Fakeye (Gospel), P-Flow (Gospel), Niyi (Gospel), Shawa, Chi Chi,
Artquake, Nutty Pin,
OJB Jezreel, Magnum (London based rapper), George Nathaniel, Slam, Mr. Kool.
ARTISTES I HAVE FEATURED ON MY ALBUM PROJECT SO FAR:
Paul Play Dairo, C-Mion, Abounce, Jaffar, Azadus, Frank Ogbebor, Harmony,
Josh (A Congolese rapper).