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.
hypo-skit
Ruggedman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm here with em MC na me carry Hip Hop for head oh
Sorry sorry sir
I don’t want to waste too much of time so ill go straight to the point
You were one of those who call Ruggedman a sellout
Cus he was doing dance tracks and you said it wasn’t hiphop
You know but eh I'm seeing your new video
You, you are doing dance track and
You are wearing suit you know shine shine suit
You know you are wearing waist coat and tie
Wetin happen to baggy jeans
And em big big tshirts
I don’t understand
All dem Timberland boot something (You know its Hip Hop men)
Are you now speaking for shoemakers like Ruggedman
Well not really but you know Its Hip Hop
You know we’re we’re doing Hip Hop
You know the way dey do in America
In the America men yo
It dosent mak men because look
Yeah so what if I don’t have international passport
I only have ID Card
But I speak more phone than the America people men what what whats up men
I'm Hip Hop
This is Hip Hop yo
This how we do Hip Hop men
So what even if I don’t make money men
Yes oh
Because eh
You know that time you say he’s not doing hardcore
He’s not doing it the way Americans do it
The way you people do it
But now I don’t understand
You’re doing dance
You’re singing
You know using Yoruba
Using pidgin
You know and all does things
You know you didn’t do it before
But when Rugged did it you people say his selling out
You know now you’re doing it
Wetin happen
We don’t understand you know
You need to enlighten us the people
Because I don’t know oh
You say you are doing real Hip Hop
But now you are
Is this one now fake Hip Hop you are doing
Bcasue we don’t understand
Please let us know because eh
We don’t know
Hip Hop is Hip Hop men
You know
Hip hop is Hip Hop men come on
Ah man must pay bills now
Man must wack men ah
Men yo yo leave me alone men when now
Hold on Mr MC na me carry Hip Hop for head
Hold on you no want talk again
Come and tell us now what's what's going on oh
Because I don’t know
MC na me carry Hip Hop for head
Hold on now hey
American Nigerian rapper
Yo yo okada men
Okada men eweh oh
Ay where your motto
You no even get motto
Ewwo
Oya wait make I drop you
Make I drop you
Taxi come help me carry this brother
In Ruggedman's Skit, the lyrics describe a conversation between two people, one of whom is a self-proclaimed carrier of hip hop. The other person is accused of calling Ruggedman a sellout for making dance tracks instead of what is considered "real" hip hop. However, the accuser is seen doing the same thing - making dance tracks, wearing glamorous outfits, and using local dialect languages like Yoruba and Pidgin, which they never did before. The singer questions the hypocrisy of the accuser for criticizing Ruggedman's approach to hip hop, yet indulging in the same practices they previously criticized him for. The singer demands an explanation for the accuser's behavior and asserts that hip hop is hip hop, no matter the language, culture, or style.
The lyrics reveal the complexity and diversity of hip hop as a genre that can accommodate various styles and expressions of art. It highlights the narrow-mindedness of some hip hop purists who may forget that hip hop extends beyond the shores of America and the English language. The Skit's message is that hip hop should be inclusive, diverse, and open to new interpretations and expressions of art.
Line by Line Meaning
Eh excuse me excuse me eh (Yeah what's up man)
Excuse me, may I have your attention? I am here with an MC who is carrying Hip Hop for the culture. What's up?
Sorry sorry sir
I apologize for interrupting you.
I don’t want to waste too much of time so ill go straight to the point
I don't want to take too much of your time, so I'll get straight to the point.
You were one of those who call Ruggedman a sellout
You were one of the people who criticized Ruggedman for making dance tracks and accused him of selling out.
Cus he was doing dance tracks and you said it wasn’t hiphop
You criticized Ruggedman for making dance tracks and claimed that it wasn't real Hip Hop.
You know but eh I'm seeing your new video
But now, I'm seeing your new video.
You, you are doing dance track and
You are now making dance tracks yourself.
You know I see your album cover
I've also seen your album cover.
You are wearing suit you know shine shine suit
You are wearing a shiny suit.
You know you are wearing waist coat and tie
You're also wearing a waistcoat and tie.
Wetin happen to baggy jeans
What happened to your baggy jeans?
And em big big tshirts
And your oversized T-shirts?
I don’t understand
I don't understand the change in your style.
All dem Timberland boot something (You know its Hip Hop men)
I thought you were all about Timberland boots and that urban Hip Hop style.
Are you now speaking for shoemakers like Ruggedman
Are you now trying to represent shoemakers in Hip Hop like Ruggedman?
Well not really but you know Its Hip Hop
Well, not exactly, but you know it's Hip Hop.
You know we’re we’re doing Hip Hop
We're doing Hip Hop here.
You know the way dey do in America
You know, like the way they do it in America.
In the America men yo
In America, you know what I mean?
It dosent mak men because look
It doesn't matter, because look,
Yeah so what if I don’t have international passport
So what if I don't have an international passport?
I only have ID Card
I only have my ID card.
But I speak more phone than the America people men what what whats up men
But I'm always on the phone, more than the people in America. What's up, man?
I'm Hip Hop
I am representing Hip Hop and its culture.
This is Hip Hop yo
This is what true Hip Hop is all about.
This how we do Hip Hop men
This is how we do Hip Hop, my friend.
So what even if I don’t make money men
So what if I'm not making much money?
Yes oh
You know what I mean, right?
Because eh
You see,
You know that time you say he’s not doing hardcore
Remember when you said that Ruggedman wasn't making hardcore Hip Hop?
He’s not doing it the way Americans do it
You said that he wasn't doing it the way Americans do it.
The way you people do it
The way you people think it should be done.
But now I don’t understand
But now, I'm confused.
You’re doing dance
You're now making dance tracks.
You’re singing
You're also singing.
You know using Yoruba
You're even using Yoruba language now.
Using pidgin
And Pidgin English too.
You know and all does things
You know, all these things you are doing now.
You know you didn’t do it before
You never used to do these things before.
But when Rugged did it you people say his selling out
But when Ruggedman did it, you accused him of selling out.
You know now you’re doing it
And now you're doing the same things.
Wetin happen
What happened?
We don’t understand you know
We don't understand the hypocrisy.
You need to enlighten us the people
You need to enlighten us, the fans.
Because I don’t know oh
Because I'm still confused.
You say you are doing real Hip Hop
You claimed that you're doing authentic Hip Hop.
But now you are
But now you are doing something else entirely.
Is this one now fake Hip Hop you are doing
Are you now making fake Hip Hop music?
Bcasue we don’t understand
Because we don't get it.
Please let us know because eh
Please explain it to us.
Hip Hop is Hip Hop men
Hip Hop is Hip Hop, my friend.
You know
You understand what I'm saying, right?
Hip hop is Hip Hop men come on
Hip Hop is what it is, come on.
Ah man must pay bills now
We have bills to pay now, you know.
Man must wack men ah
We have to hustle, you know.
Men yo yo leave me alone men when now
Leave me alone, man. When are you going to stop bugging me?
Hold on Mr MC na me carry Hip Hop for head
Wait a minute, I am the MC who represents Hip Hop.
Hold on you no want talk again
Wait, are you not interested in talking anymore?
Come and tell us now what's what's going on oh
Now, please tell us what's really going on.
Because I don’t know
Because I still don't understand the situation.
MC na me carry Hip Hop for head
I represent Hip Hop, and it's dear to me.
Hold on now hey
Wait a second now, hey.
American Nigerian rapper
I am an American Nigerian rapper.
Yo yo okada men
I'm here, representing the okada men (motorcycle riders).
Okada men eweh oh
Okada riders, raise your hands (in excitement).
Ay where your motto
Hey, where is your motto (motorbike)?
You no even get motto
Oh, you don't even have one?
Ewwo
Wow.
Oya wait make I drop you
Okay, wait for me to drop you off.
Make I drop you
Let me give you a ride.
Taxi come help me carry this brother
Taxi driver, please help me carry this brother with us.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind