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.
Won't Battle
Ruggedman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And for the love of the art in it
I spits lyrics and stunts critics
Said yes I'm involved in it
I turn greats to fans
And fans to frantic fanatics
So bad my flows like dope to an addict
Rugged spins it like a corin doses
Like slow moving tortises
Defying physics with my sky high lyrics
I never come down
No matter the type of matter you pile on it
This individual shines with no jewelry
Shines without the aid of the sun
Ain't nothing that you can do to me
Will make the stoppers
Like Hip Hop be all I got
All I want he rocks thе shit
He’s forever hot
I keep it moving you’rе loosing
No need for fooling
He show for cus he fucked up at the point of choosing
Who you wanna roll with
The Rugged man
Illest nigga coming through with the shit
We won't battle yall
We just get that money men
Get that money men for sure
Topping the charts and rocking shows
Get this money men
Get them honeys men for sure
I step in the room and hear the boom
But I haven’t even started
Lick my lips to
And niggas already retarded
Like someone just farted
It be stinking in here
Like Tony
Light up any dark stellar I flare
All while I've kept mine inside
Its time to start pukeing
Bringing fort works out of them
Forth nox no matter how you view it
Diabolical lyricist
Spit symptoms
With some hits that come through
Like movie flip through love to
Flip fast and burst low
Rugged be making the switch with gospel
And if you must know
I can take your heat
And make it as cold as Moscow
My words are real like
Flesh to dust though
I live you days for days
Make you change your ways
Graze as I raze like a forest fire versus rise like a fire
I was young burst like a strained blood vessel
And still have time to watch chicks mud wrestle
We won't battle yall
We just get that money men
Get that money men for sure
Topping the charts and rocking shows
Get this money men
Get them honeys men for sure
The beat moves me
Yet I move the beat
It moves smoothly
This individuals imbedded in Hip Hop completely
Strike a pose like a pool
I invoke lyrical spirits
To come take hold
And make old man feel the vocals
When I burst this no surprise
Cus my flows go like astronauts
Further than the skies so yall know
I'm speaking straight form the heart
Not bursting for fools
I'm doing this for niggas who love the art
Like a Siya I'm in the trance
With spirits I prance dance
Lyrics in and out of my body
All for rap music like its all for me
Completes me absolutely
Wanna handle it like dysfunction
You messed up but its no use
Cus my lyrics is HIT deep as it seeps through your speakers
Yall are done for
Cus ill keep bringing the thunder
I'll blow ya from Nigeria to kwalalamkpo
We won't battle yall
We just get that money men
Get that money men for sure
Topping the charts and rocking shows
Get this money men
Get them honeys men for sure
We won't battle yall
We just get that money men
Get that money men for sure
Topping the charts and rocking shows
Get this money men
Get them honeys men for sure
The lyrics to Ruggedman's "Won't Battle" showcase the rapper's love and dedication to the art of Hip Hop. Ruggedman boasts about his ability to turn greats into fans and fans into fanatics through his powerful flow and lyrical stunts. He compares his flows to a drug that addicts can't resist, defying physics with his sky high lyrics that never come down. Ruggedman acknowledges his unique ability to shine without the aid of jewelry or the sun and proclaims that nothing anyone does can stop him from making Hip Hop everything he's got. In the chorus, Ruggedman declares that he's not interested in battling others, but rather in topping charts, rocking shows, and getting money and honeys.
Line by Line Meaning
For the love of the music
I do this for the love of hip hop
And for the love of the art in it
Hip hop is an art, and I appreciate it
I spits lyrics and stunts critics
I'm a skilled lyricist who shuts down critics
Said yes I'm involved in it
I'm heavily involved in the hip hop scene
I turn greats to fans
I'm so good that even legendary rap artists become my fans
And fans to frantic fanatics
My music inspires a sense of fanaticism in my fans
So bad my flows like dope to an addict
My rhymes are addictive and irresistible
Rugged spins it like a corin doses
I spin rhymes like a DJ plays music
Moves are faster I blast festerous
My moves are too fast for my opponents to keep up with
Like slow moving tortises
My opponents move too slowly to keep up with me
Defying physics with my sky high lyrics
My lyrics are so good they defy the laws of physics
I never come down
I'm always on top of my game
No matter the type of matter you pile on it
Nothing can stop me from performing at my best
This individual shines with no jewelry
I stand out without the need for flashy jewelry
Shines without the aid of the sun
I shine on my own, without help from anyone else
Ain’t nothing that you can do to me
You can't stop me from succeeding
Will make the stoppers
Nothing can bring me down
Like Hip Hop be all I got
Hip hop is my life
All I want he rocks the shit
I want to rock the crowd with my music
He's forever hot
I'll always be relevant and popular
I keep it moving you're losing
I'm always moving forward, while my opponents fall behind
No need for fooling
There's no need to deceive or trick anyone
He show for cus he fucked up at the point of choosing
My opponents are always left regretting their decision to challenge me
Who you wanna roll with
Who do you want to side with?
The Rugged man
Choose me, the Rugged man
Illest nigga coming through with the shit
I'm the best rapper out there
We won't battle yall
I'm not interested in battling anyone
We just get that money men
All I care about is making money
Get that money men for sure
Making money is my top priority
Topping the charts and rocking shows
I want to be at the top of the music charts and put on great performances
Get them honeys men for sure
I want to attract women with my success and fame
I step in the room and hear the boom
When I enter a room, people take notice
But I haven't even started
They haven't seen anything yet
Lick my lips to
I'm ready to spit some rhymes
And niggas already retarded
People are already blown away by my skills
Like someone just farted
The room is filled with the stink of my talent
It be stinking in here
People are overwhelmed by my skills
Like Tony
I shine like Tony Stark (Iron Man)
Light up any dark stellar I flare
I can brighten up any situation with my talent
All while I've kept mine inside
I've always stayed true to myself and my values
It's time to start pukeing
Now is the time to unleash my full potential
Bringing fort works out of them
I can extract great work from my competitors
Forth nox no matter how you view it
My rhymes are always high-quality, no matter what
Diabolical lyricist
My rhymes are evil and sinister
Spit symptoms
My lyrics are infectious and addictive
With some hits that come through
I consistently produce great music
Like movie flip through love to
My rhymes are like a love story full of twists and turns
Flip fast and burst low
My rhymes are fast-paced and energetic
Rugged be making the switch with gospel
I can switch up my style at will
And if you must know
Just so you know
I can take your heat
I can handle any challenge thrown my way
And make it as cold as Moscow
I can take any situation and turn it around
My words are real like
My rhymes are authentic and genuine
Flesh to dust though
Despite the challenge, I never give up
I live you days for days
I work hard every day
Make you change your ways
My skills are so impressive, I can inspire others to change
Graze as I raze like a forest fire versus rise like a fire
My rhymes can be both destructive and inspiring
I was young burst like a strained blood vessel
I've been talented and successful from a young age
And still have time to watch chicks mud wrestle
Even with my busy schedule, I still make time for leisurely activities
The beat moves me
I'm inspired by the music
Yet I move the beat
I control the music with my rhymes
It moves smoothly
The music is easy to work with
This individual's embedded in Hip Hop completely
Hip hop is a part of who I am
Strike a pose like a pool
I'm always ready to perform
I invoke lyrical spirits
I'm inspired by great artists who came before me
To come take hold
I want to carry on the legacy of hip hop legends
And make old man feel the vocals
Even older generations can appreciate my music
When I burst this no surprise
Everyone knows my rhymes are fire
Cus my flows go like astronauts
My rhymes are out of this world
Further than the skies so yall know
My music transcends boundaries and reaches people everywhere
I'm speaking straight from the heart
My rhymes come from a place of sincerity
Not bursting for fools
I don't waste my energy on unworthy opponents
I'm doing this for niggas who love the art
My music is for those who truly appreciate the art of hip hop
Like a Siya I'm in the trance
I'm in a state of inspiration, like a Siya or holy man
With spirits I prance dance
My music is inspired and guided by spiritual forces
Lyrics in and out of my body
My rhymes come naturally to me
All for rap music like it's all for me
I'm fully committed to hip hop and wouldn't have it any other way
Completes me absolutely
Hip hop is a vital part of my identity
Wanna handle it like dysfunction
I want to handle and fix any problems in the hip hop scene
You messed up but it's no use
You've already failed, there's no going back now
Cus my lyrics is HIT deep as it seeps through your speakers
My rhymes are so powerful they penetrate listeners' souls
Yall are done for
I've already won
Cus ill keep bringing the thunder
I'll always bring my best and most impressive rhymes
I'll blow ya from Nigeria to kwalalamkpo
My rhymes will be heard all over, from Nigeria to the ends of the earth
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@afroswiss8969
2023 🔥🔥🔥🔐
@andrewaigbokhae3950
Its 2023 and i am still listening to this song....
Dope🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@olugbemigaobafemi4468
We dont have albums like this no more... No one is even rapping again...
@fridayoluwaseun6163
I love this song ❤️
@ifeanyieluwa5261
Ruggedman is forever Golden And Great
@clexmedia4253
Am still here with Ruggedman
@MusicalSoloStar
My guy till tomorrow @ ruggedy
@rebrown235
😭 Rugged Di Baba I miss ur classic music.
@S03Group
When Nigerian music was making sense.. Now rappers sound like guru singer, hip hop albums are average cos everyone is looking for that gba tin gba tin songs.. Bought this album back then.. Today it's still dope.. Pure hip hop album..
@rhmstudioandrecords1715
I feel what you feel. Still evergreen album