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.
Naija Hip Hop
Ruggedman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Naija Hip Hop 101 second lecture
I won't take your time too much
I just wanna let you know a few things
You know
If the culture was not Nigerian
And its not Nigeria
You know so
The British culture
Is different from the Nigerian culture
First things first wetin be culture
What is culture
Culture is the customs and beilefs
Art, way of life and social organization
Of a particular country
Or group
Note the key words here class
Customs and beilefs
Art, way of life and social organization
Of a particular country
Or group
And the country we are talking about right now
Is Nigeria cus that’s whеre we are from
So sincе we are Nigerians
That means our Hip Hop culture
Must contains elements of Nigerian customs
Beliefs, art and way of life
To cultivate our own Hip Hop culture
Our Nigerian Hip Hop has to contain
Nigerian dance steps the Nigerian language
Instruments
You talk about the environment and
The Nigerian way of dressing
Definitely we are influenced by some things
In the western culture
But that doesn't mean we discard all of our own
That’s the only way we can tell the world straight up
Where we are from
Because if South Africans didn’t do it
They wouldn’t have Kwaito
If the Ghanaians didn’t do it
They wouldn’t have Hip-life
My brother you no fit sell snow to eskimos
You no fit sell sand to desert dwellers
Meaning you can't do rap the American way
Better than the American
And if you try
You’ll just be lost oh
Boy you go just enter
You go just be one of those people
Wey dey try rap like oyibo
Wey dey sound like oyibo
And definitely you’ll not be good enough for America because
Every baby right now in America is born with a mic
A full album and a mix tape
If we do it right
If we put a face to Nigerian Hip Hop
We can sell the Nigerian Hip Hop
And that’s the truth
According to the gospel of Nigerias own
Rugged man
Ruggedy baba
For now class dismissed
In Ruggedman's song "9ja Hip Hop," the artist explains the importance of integrating Nigerian culture into the country's Hip Hop scene. Ruggedman asserts that Hip Hop, as a cultural movement, must incorporate elements of Nigerian customs, beliefs, art, and way of life. He defines culture as the customs and beliefs, art, way of life, and social organization of a particular country or group, emphasizing the importance of incorporating Nigerian dance steps, language, and instruments, as well as environmental and fashion influences.
Ruggedman highlights the need to distinguish Nigerian hip hop from that of American hip hop and reminds listeners that attempting to rap like Americans is futile because American culture is not Nigerian culture. The artist cautions against losing oneself in an attempt to imitate American rappers, which would only result in being unable to compare to American standards. Instead, Ruggedman emphasizes the importance of putting a distinctly Nigerian face to the Hip Hop movement, arguing that Nigerians must sell Nigerian Hip Hop on its own unique merits to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm back again you know what I mean
I have returned and you already know why.
Naija Hip Hop 101 second lecture
This is the second lesson on Nigerian Hip Hop.
I won't take your time too much
I won't take up too much of your time.
I just wanna let you know a few things
I want to inform you on some things.
You know
You understand what I'm saying.
If the culture was not Nigerian
If the Hip Hop culture was not Nigerian.
And its not Nigeria
And it doesn't come from Nigeria.
You know so
You understand that Hip Hop culture can come from other places.
The American culture
The Hip Hop culture from America.
The British culture
The Hip Hop culture from Britain.
Is different from the Nigerian culture
Is not the same as the Nigerian Hip Hop culture.
First things first wetin be culture
First things first, what is culture?
What is culture
Culture refers to the customs, beliefs, art, way of life, and social organization of a particular country or group.
Culture is the customs and beliefs
Culture is the traditions and ideas that shape a group's way of life.
Art, way of life and social organization
Culture includes the creative expression, daily habits, and social structures of a group.
Of a particular country or group
Culture is specific to the place or group it comes from.
Note the key words here class
Pay attention to the important words, students.
And the country we are talking about right now
And the country we are discussing at the moment.
Is Nigeria cus that’s where we are from
It is Nigeria because that is our country of origin.
So since we are Nigerians
Therefore, as Nigerians.
That means our Hip Hop culture
This means that our Hip Hop culture.
Must contains elements of Nigerian customs
Must include aspects of Nigerian traditions.
Beliefs, art and way of life
Including beliefs, creative expression, and habits.
To cultivate our own Hip Hop culture
To develop our own unique Hip Hop culture.
Our Nigerian Hip Hop has to contain
Our Hip Hop must include.
Nigerian dance steps
Nigerian-style dance moves.
The Nigerian language
The Nigerian dialects and expressions.
Instruments
Musical instruments specific to Nigeria.
You talk about the environment and
Consider the surroundings and context.
The Nigerian way of dressing
The fashion and dress style in Nigeria.
Definitely we are influenced by some things
We are certainly influenced by certain things.
In the western culture
In the Hip Hop culture of western countries.
But that doesn't mean we discard all of our own
However, that does not mean we should abandon our own traditions.
That’s the only way we can tell the world straight up
This is the only way we can truly represent ourselves to the world.
Where we are from
As originating from Nigeria.
Because if South Africans didn’t do it
If South Africans had not done so.
They wouldn’t have Kwaito
They would not have developed Kwaito music.
If the Ghanaians didn’t do it
If Ghanaians had not done so.
They wouldn’t have Hip-life
They would not have developed Hip-life music.
My brother you no fit sell snow to eskimos
My friend, you cannot sell something they already have.
You no fit sell sand to desert dwellers
You cannot sell something that people can easily find in their own environment.
Meaning you can't do rap the American way
This means that you cannot do Hip Hop the same way that Americans do.
Better than the American
You cannot do it better than Americans.
And if you try
If you attempt to do so.
You’ll just be lost oh
You will only confuse yourself.
Boy you go just enter
You will only enter into a confusing situation.
You go just be one of those people
You will just be one of those who try to do it like others.
Wey dey try rap like oyibo
Trying to rap like Americans.
Wey dey sound like oyibo
Trying to sound like Americans.
And definitely you’ll not be good enough for America because
You will not be good enough for Americans because.
Every baby right now in America is born with a mic
Hip Hop is so embedded in American culture that even babies are exposed to it.
A full album and a mix tape
Metaphorically, babies in America have Hip Hop in their DNA.
If we do it right
If we do Nigerian Hip Hop right.
If we put a face to Nigerian Hip Hop
If we give Nigerian Hip Hop an identity.
We can sell the Nigerian Hip Hop
We can make Nigerian Hip Hop popular and profitable.
And that’s the truth
This is the reality.
According to the gospel of Nigerias own
According to the beliefs of Nigerians themselves.
Rugged man
A reference to the artist himself, Ruggedman.
Ruggedy baba
Another name for Ruggedman.
For now class dismissed
That's all for now, class is over.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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