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.
Kokos Song
Ruggedman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
I hear the tots in the club be calling for me
Raise it up get rugged non stop
I hear the chicks in the club be yelling for me
Shake it down get busy non stop
Whether you’re cute and sexy
Whatever
All in together
Whether your match or you skinny
Whatever
Holla of you hear me
All in together
So if you came to get rowdy holla for me
Push it up we rocking non-stop
Its strictly bikinis
No skirts no blouse
I go look for my bobo
With bigger house and no spouse
Wey no go vex
When chicks start to flex
Come how you fit
Okada bus or legs
Come flex infornt of the pool
Flex inside of the pool
We’s here to party so don’t front like a fool
Me and my crew and
You and your crew
And thanks to the kishi we get all types of crew and
Music be pumping we got DJ’s on it
This na mine so no fine chick must pass me
My gig, my, at my doors
Laying in the cut with chicks that are mad hot
I hear the tots in the club be calling for me
Raise it up get rugged non-stop
I hear the chicks in the club be yelling for me
Shake it down get busy non stop
Whether you’re cute and sexy
Whatever
Holla if you hear me
All in together
Whether your match or you skinny
Whatever
Holla of you hear me
All in together
So if you came to get rowdy holla for me
Push it up we rocking non stop
I'm the loud explosion
You’s the bird that takes flight
I'm the movies main actor
You’s the one with stage fright
I hit the streets
Hit the club
Hit the party make your girl get nasty
Now pass me a drink
Watch me make the floor shrink
When peps from the streets
To the club start to creep
Cus they know who they throw down
Know who dey heat the place up
Know who dey make you throw your hands up
Look at them curves
Them they kick like pregnancy
My dogs are losing it
They always had the tendency
A K O K A representer
When it come to the chicks
I'm a back bone bender
I hear the tots in the club be calling for me
Raise it up get rugged non stop
I hear the chicks in the club be yelling for me
Shake it down get busy non stop
Whether you’re cute and sexy
Whatever
Holla if you hear me
All in together
Whether your match or you skinny
Whatever
Holla of you hear me
All in together
So if you came to get rowdy holla for me
Push it up we rocking non stop
Alright y'all (Yeah)
Let me see you get wild y'all (Okay now)
Alright y'all (Yes oh)
Let me see you get wild y'all
Get wild y'all
Somebody say owe owe oh (Owe owe oh)
Somebody say owe owe oh (Owe owe oh)
Toba fine toba sexy
Let me see your hands up
Let me see you on the dance floor
Make this hot with the
Moves that you make
When you shake like you on a brink
You gotta good thinking how its gonna ray
Cus your shape now hour glass
Laps and long legs
Your dancing got brothers hypnotized
Cus all your fans
Top of the class
You not like problem for man
Wey Rugged man go solve
At the end of the class
Now make I scatter the matter
Make the dance floor shatter
Chicks wey sabi roll hips
Come worsening in the matter
I'm so musical I'm a pack lyrical vehicle
Up in the room
I play cords with my umbilical
I hear the tots in the club be calling for me
Raise it up get rugged non stop
I hear the chicks in the club be yelling for me
Shake it down get busy non stop
Whether you’re cute and sexy
Whatever
Holla if you hear me
All in together
Whether your match or you skinny
Whatever
Holla of you hear me
All in together
So if you came to get rowdy holla for me
Push it up we rocking non-stop
I hear the tots in the club be calling for me
Raise it up get rugged non stop
I hear the chicks in the club be yelling for me
Shake it down get busy non-stop
Whether you’re cute and sexy
Whatever
Holla if you hear me
All in together
Whether your match or you skinny
Whatever
Holla of you hear me
All in together
So if you came to get rowdy holla for me
Push it up we rocking non-stop
Alright y'all (Yeah)
Let me see you get wild y'all (Okay now)
Alright y'all (Yes oh)
Let me see you get wild y'all
Get wild y'all
Push it up
We rocking non stop
The lyrics to Ruggedman's "Kokos Song" talk about having a good time and enjoying oneself in a party setting. The song is all about dancing, with the chorus encouraging people to raise their hands and shake it down on the dance floor. The verses mention how people are calling for Ruggedman in the club and how attractive women are also clamoring for his attention. The song makes reference to the fact that there are all types of people in the club, and it doesn't matter what size, shape or color you are, everyone is welcome to dance and have a good time together.
The lyrics also showcase Ruggedman's Nigerian heritage, with numerous references to Nigerian slang and culture. For example, "kokos" is a term used to describe a gathering or a celebration, while "Okada bus" refers to the ubiquitous motorcycle taxis in Nigeria. He talks about having a "bobo with bigger house and no spouse," which is a phrase used to describe a man with a lot of money and no wife. The song is a lively celebration of Nigerian party culture and the joy of dance and music.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind