Born Michael Ugochukwu Stephens on the 20th of September in Ebem… Read Full Bio ↴Bio
Born Michael Ugochukwu Stephens on the 20th of September in Ebem Ohafia, Abia state, all levels of schooling were done in Lagos state. I am a graduate of Political Science Lagos State University Ojo. I started loving rap music from around 1989 when I was learning the words in rap tracks I liked and rapping along to their instrumentals - until I decided that I could do mine, then I started writing my own lyrics. 1999 was when I put out my 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 I decided to do a track criticizing a couple of Nigerian rappers and the track titled Ehen Part 1 has blown sky high nation wide.
My two new songs “BIG BROS” (in which I took on a so-called music mogul in Nigeria for trying to stop my song getting played on radio stations 'cos I talked about him) and “WHAT YOU GOT” (which is a dance track for people who said all I can do is diss) are both getting mega air play in Nigeria and abroad. My dance track is a favourite in a couple of Clubs in London and Ireland.
RUGGEDMAN is a no-nonsense, speak-my-mind type of nigga that stands up for the improvement and promotion of good Nigerian music no matter how much big men try to hold him down.
THE NAME:
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 I came up with, after I 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.
APPEARANCES:
My very first 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).
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.
I've likewise 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.
"I am the most featured rap artist in Nigeria and the hottest out right now."
He's been on almost every newspaper, and the radio and tv stations love him being in their place cos he gets calls from the audience like crazy.
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.
I recently just got back from Ireland, Europe where I went to chill out a while and also promote myself and my music. I spread my cds to Near fm 101.6 Dublin - where I was also interviewed, and Today fm 100-102 Dublin. I shot clips for my new song Big Bros and met Raekwon The Chef of Wu Tang Clan.
AWARDS:
I won the Nigerian Fanta Fame Award for best new rap act/group or duo 2003 on the 31st of October. I also added to that, three awards at the just concluded 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 me by high schools and tertiary institutions for my contribution to the development of Nigerian rap music.
ARTISTES I HAVE FEATURED ON THEIR SONGS RELEASED & UNRELEASED:
Believe it or not, I am the most featured Nigerian rapper. I have rapped on over 20 tracks for people. Most of these were done before I even released Ehen part 1.
"...meaning my voice is going to be heard for a long time to come in this country and wherever the music is taken to…feel me?"
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).
PRODUCERS I HAVE WORKED WITH SO FAR:
Paul Play Dairo, Omololu, Ojb, Jezreel, Freestyle and Xaviar.
French Connection
Ruggedman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And flash don’t care
This is how we all get down
Wanna party everywhere
Rugged man is coming through with Josh
And we don’t care
From Naija to Congo
We don dey go
I'm mighty like a when I come flying
Through the air like an arrow
Even when shadows swallows me cus we shallow
Enough to try to battle the rugged
Peep the way I rock it
Watch this like a ballon
Wild like a baboon
Under the moon
Loom like doom
Move over your head
Like gist I spread
Before thе boom
Enter the room I'm blessеd like crushing it
Rasmataz
Vocal criminal still in the air
Stop with the yapping
And start giving the cash
I'm ravaging tricks
Like porn punishing chicks
Getting my pleasure in kicks
Steady making yall bounce to my raw hits
Raw instinct makes me kiss chicks with large tits
Lyrics I spit with Josh
Makes this a sure hit
This individual getting physical
With this lyrical
Whey dey make fakes necks
Quickly change form the official to clinical
Na me dey make am hot right now
Naija all the way to Congo
We got it looked right now (Representing)
Come everybody just gather round
And flash don’t care
This is how we all get down
Wanna party everywhere
Rugged man is coming through with Josh
And we don’t care
From Naija to Congo
We don dey go
We go we go we go we go
(Rapping In French)
That was my man Josh
You know what I'm saying
Representing tattoo clan
All the way from Congo
We representing
This collabo
Rugged man and Josh
You know what I'm saying
Come everybody just gather round
And flash don’t care
This is how we all get down
Wanna party everywhere
Rugged man is coming through with Josh
And we don’t care
From Naija to Congo
We don dey go
We go we go we go we go
All the yans wey I dey drop
We inspired by the streets
I'm so musical
My blood flows to a beat
That’s flows to the seat
I saw the way you
Rose to your feet
You’re being fake and going against me
Will cause your defeat
Cus every word that I hits with the weight of a fork lift
To your face
At the pace of a shuttle that’s headed to space
Gush Josh you know we rock
Cus we got I locked on all blocks city to city
On coast tired of forth nox
(Speaking in French) outro
The lyrics to Ruggedman's song "French Connection" featuring Josh are all about celebrating and having a good time. The song starts off by inviting everyone to gather round and let loose, not caring about anything else. Ruggedman and Josh are coming through to bring the party vibes, and they don't care where they go, from Naija to Congo. The lyrics also emphasize the energy and confidence of the artists, comparing themselves to a mighty arrow flying through the air and being wild like a baboon under the moon. They boast about their skills and talent, making others bounce to their raw hits and enjoying the pleasure of their success. There is also a section where Josh raps in French, adding an international flavor to the song. Overall, the lyrics are about enjoying life, having fun, and representing their music and culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Come everybody just gather round
Everyone, come together and join us
And flash don’t care
We don't care about showing off
This is how we all get down
This is how we party
Wanna party everywhere
We want to party in every location
Rugged man is coming through with Josh
Ruggedman and Josh are collaborating
And we don’t care
We don't care about anything else
From Naija to Congo
We're traveling from Nigeria to Congo
We don dey go
We are already on our way
We go we go we go we go
We keep going
I'm mighty like a when I come flying
I am powerful when I arrive
Through the air like an arrow
Just like an arrow flies through the air
Even when shadows swallows me cus we shallow
Even when darkness tries to consume me, we remain superficial
Enough to try to battle the rugged
Bold enough to challenge Ruggedman
Peep the way I rock it
Take a look at how I perform
Watch this like a ballon
Observe this like a balloon
Wild like a baboon
Unrestrained and untamed like a baboon
Under the moon
In the night
Loom like doom
Appear menacingly, like impending disaster
Move over your head
Transcend above your understanding
Like gist I spread
Like gossip I spread
Before the boom
Before the explosive moment
Enter the room I'm blessed like crushing it
I enter the room confidently and successfully
Rasmataz
Extravagant display or showiness
Vocal criminal still in the air
My criminal-like vocals are still dominant
Stop with the yapping
Stop talking unnecessarily
And start giving the cash
Instead, give us the money
I'm ravaging tricks
I'm destroying illusions
Like porn punishing chicks
Just like in porn, punishing girls
Getting my pleasure in kicks
Finding joy in thrilling experiences
Steady making yall bounce to my raw hits
Consistently making everyone dance to my raw songs
Raw instinct makes me kiss chicks with large tits
My instinct leads me to kiss women with big breasts
Lyrics I spit with Josh
Rapping verses alongside Josh
Makes this a sure hit
Guarantees this song's success
This individual getting physical
This person is becoming aggressive
With this lyrical
Through the power of these lyrics
Whey dey make fakes necks
Causing fake individuals to panic
Quickly change form the official to clinical
Swiftly transitioning from being recognized as official to being treated clinically
Na me dey make am hot right now
I am the one making it hot right now
Naija all the way to Congo
From Nigeria to Congo
We got it looked right now (Representing)
We have it locked down right now (Representing)
That was my man Josh
Introducing Josh, my friend
You know what I'm saying
Do you understand what I'm trying to convey?
Representing tattoo clan
Representing the tattoo clan
All the way from Congo
From Congo, all the way
We representing
We are representing
This collabo
This collaboration
Rugged man and Josh
Ruggedman and Josh
All the yans wey I dey drop
All the lines that I'm delivering
We inspired by the streets
We draw inspiration from the streets
I'm so musical
I'm extremely musical
My blood flows to a beat
My blood moves to the rhythm
That’s flows to the seat
That also flows to the seat (audience)
I saw the way you
I observed how you
Rose to your feet
Stood up
You’re being fake and going against me
You're being insincere and opposing me
Will cause your defeat
It will lead to your failure
Cus every word that I hits with the weight of a fork lift
Because every word I deliver has the impact of a forklift
To your face
To your face directly
At the pace of a shuttle that’s headed to space
At a rapid speed, like a spaceship
Gush Josh you know we rock
Wow Josh, you know we are great
Cus we got I locked on all blocks city to city
Because we have it locked down in every city
On coast tired of forth nox
We are tired of being on the coast without progress
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind