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.
Oh Oh
Ruggedman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You still no fit show me
Terrorist and fine chicks self
No fit blow me
I fit hard like stone
Or soft like Mouka foam
I get more yans than all mobile phones get ringtones
I dey enter booth to make correction
I'm done giving out the wrong impressions about musicians
About rappers in particular
Real ones smart
Only say mumu ones plenty pass
Make una open eyes to see
Ears to listen
To the words they speak
What information are they giving
To the adults and kids
That watch and listen
Make mе Minister for Music
I go lock them all for prison (Uh hun)
Oh oh oh (They go likе)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh (They go like)
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh (They go likе)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh (They go likе)
Oh oh oh
Na jeje I dey on my own
When operation sweep stop to creep
Now the RRS
I wonder wetin dem go call am next
I no go hesitate
If na to meditate
Or levitate fakers
And spread them over
Forty or fifty acres
I get more game than Lakers
More face than facers
I gather more feet than shoemakers
Still dey owe all the aces
Some say
Why you no use Kano Pillars or Highlanders
Would you prefer Navigator or Pathfinder
I plan to paint my head red
Grow dreads careful where you trick
I eat fakers like ewa goin and bread
So all you lyrical misfits beware
Mind how you stare
No be all of una go make am through this year (Why now)
Cus I don boss like kasala
With more kata kata and wahala
Wey go worse pass Abacha saga (Shege)
I don tey like Reggae
But na underground
Now na the time to feel my flow like thunder sound
Oh oh oh (They go likе)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh (They go like)
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh (They go likе)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh (They go likе)
Oh oh oh
I won kidnap Darigo
Camp am for four days straight
For strange places
Go play games and make faces
Take am in more ways than one
When I'm done I go leave am
And she no go run
She go come out with bow legs
And its obvious why
Its something most guys have thought of
Been unable to try
I no lie lie lie
Cus when it comes to
I be bad guy
Fine girl you wan try
I get skills but that na on the contrary
So much that even harly go on marry in the cemetery
Again on the contrary I'm more than ordinary
I'm like confined alone solitary
One man army fakers can't harm me
Mati eloro mato erukpe shani
Shine eye before you go abuse or hail
Cus I will lyrically lock you up
With no bail no bai
Oh oh oh (They go likе)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh (They go like)
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh (They go likе)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh (They go likе)
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
In Ruggedman's song "Oh Oh," he starts by asserting his confidence and toughness, emphasizing that even if someone is famous or attractive, they cannot intimidate or impress him. He compares himself to a hard stone or a soft foam mattress, highlighting his versatility. Ruggedman declares that he has more knowledge and experience than the mobile phone industry has ringtones.
He then shifts his focus to the music industry and his role as a rap musician. Ruggedman admits to previously giving the wrong impression about musicians and rappers in particular. He calls out the "mumu" (foolish) ones and urges listeners to pay attention to the messages they convey. Ruggedman proposes that he should be made the Minister for Music and promises to lock up all the musicians who spread negative or harmful information.
In the second verse, Ruggedman reflects on his own journey and resilience. He mentions past challenges, including being a target of law enforcement operations. He expresses curiosity about what the next operation by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) will be called. Ruggedman asserts his willingness to meditate or levitate to deal with fakers and warns them of the consequences. He boasts about having more skills than the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team and accumulating more fame and success.
Ruggedman concludes by asserting his dominance and superiority in the rap game. He mentions kidnapping a girl named Darigo and keeping her captive for four days, highlighting his dominance and control. He suggests that other men have thought of similar actions but have been unable to carry them out. Ruggedman proclaims he is a "bad guy" and warns listeners not to underestimate him. He declares that he is extraordinary, like being confined alone, and emphasizes his ability to defend himself against fakers with his lyrical skills.
Line by Line Meaning
Even if your name na TV
Even if you're famous or well-known
You still no fit show me
You still can't impress or deceive me
Terrorist and fine chicks self
Even dangerous people and attractive women
No fit blow me
Can't deceive or manipulate me
I fit hard like stone
I can be tough and unyielding
Or soft like Mouka foam
Or gentle and comfortable like a mattress
I get more yans than all mobile phones get ringtones
I have more stories and experiences than all phones receive calls
I dey enter booth to make correction
I enter the recording studio to make improvements
Papa mama
Parents
I'm done giving out the wrong impressions about musicians
I'm done misrepresenting musicians
About rappers in particular
Especially rappers
Real ones smart
The genuine ones are intelligent
Only say mumu ones plenty pass
But there are more foolish ones
Make una open eyes to see
Open your eyes to see
Ears to listen
Ears to listen
To the words they speak
To the messages they convey
What information are they giving
What kind of information are they providing
To the adults and kids
To both the adults and children
That watch and listen
Who watch and listen
Make me Minister for Music
Appoint me as the Minister of Music
I go lock them all for prison (Uh hun)
I will imprison all of them
Na jeje I dey on my own
I am minding my own business peacefully
When operation sweep stop to creep
When police operations stop lurking
Now the RRS
Now the Rapid Response Squad (police force)
I wonder wetin dem go call am next
I wonder what they will name it next
I no go hesitate
I won't hesitate
If na to meditate
If it's to meditate
Or levitate fakers
Or expose fake people
And spread them over
And expose them to
Forty or fifty acres
A large area of land
I get more game than Lakers
I have more skills than the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team
More face than facers
More presence than those who pretend
I gather more feet than shoemakers
I attract more attention than shoemakers do customers
Still dey owe all the aces
They still owe all the experts
Some say
Some people say
Why you no use Kano Pillars or Highlanders
Why don't you use popular football clubs like Kano Pillars or Highlanders
Would you prefer Navigator or Pathfinder
Do you prefer luxury cars like Navigator or Pathfinder
I plan to paint my head red
I plan to dye my hair red
Grow dreads careful where you trick
Grow dreadlocks, be cautious where you deceive others
I eat fakers like ewa goin and bread
I defeat fake people easily
So all you lyrical misfits beware
So all the lyrically unfit people should be cautious
Mind how you stare
Be careful how you look at me
No be all of una go make am through this year (Why now)
Not all of you will succeed this year
Cus I don boss like kasala
Because I'm a boss, there's chaos
With more kata kata and wahala
With more trouble and complications
Wey go worse pass Abacha saga (Shege)
Which will be worse than the Abacha regime (exclamation of shock)
I don tey like Reggae
I've loved Reggae for a long time
But na underground
But I've been in the underground music scene
Now na the time to feel my flow like thunder sound
Now is the time to experience my powerful flow
I won kidnap Darigo
I want to kidnap Darigo (person's name)
Camp am for four days straight
Keep her captive for four consecutive days
For strange places
In unfamiliar locations
Go play games and make faces
Play games and make funny expressions
Take am in more ways than one
Take advantage of her in various ways
When I'm done I go leave am
When I'm finished, I will let her go
And she no go run
And she won't run away
She go come out with bow legs
She will come out with bowed legs
And its obvious why
And the reason is clear
Its something most guys have thought of
It's something most guys have considered
Been unable to try
But didn't have the opportunity
I no lie lie lie
I'm not lying
Cus when it comes to
Because when it comes to
I be bad guy
I'm the tough guy
Fine girl you wan try
Fine girl, do you want to try
I get skills but that na on the contrary
I have skills, but it's the opposite
So much that even harly go on marry in the cemetery
So much that even hardly anyone marries in the cemetery
Again on the contrary I'm more than ordinary
Again, on the contrary, I'm extraordinary
I'm like confined alone solitary
I'm like being alone in isolation
One man army fakers can't harm me
I'm a one-man army, fake people can't harm me
Mati eloro mato erukpe shani
I don't understand this phrase
Shine eye before you go abuse or hail
Be careful before you insult or praise
Cus I will lyrically lock you up
Because I will metaphorically imprison you
With no bail no bai
Without the possibility of release or escape
Oh oh oh (They go like)
Oh oh oh (People will enjoy)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh (They go like)
Oh oh oh (People will enjoy)
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh (They go like)
Oh oh oh (People will enjoy)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh (They go like)
Oh oh oh (People will enjoy)
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind