I have lost a lot for speaking my mind

By ChiDubem Michael

Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, Nigerian musician popularily known as 'Ruggedman' is on the news, as he tells Sunday Scoop in a chat that he has won himself many enemies along the line of music. More than a decade ago after his burst onto the scene, his name still rings a bell. Speaking with Sunday Scoop, he explained how he managed to remain in the mind of the public;

"Like I said in my song, 'Baraje', I blend with the trend and stay forever like culture. I always move with the times and I make sure I stay on top of my game. I also work with the people who are making waves at any particular time and I keep making good music" 

About his early days in the industry, he reveals; "I am happy that many of things I spoke about in those days are still happening. I have always been campaigning for the use of our mother tongue in our songs. When I started, some people felt I was just a troublemaker; they didn't know that I was fighting for the industry. Like I said in another of my songs, I will always speak my mind, whether people agree with it or not. I stand on the side of the truth and that is what I'm known for. I wouldn't go out of my way to disrespect anyone; I will just say the things that people know but don't want to say. Truly, I have lost a lot for speaking my mind, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Now, we all know that Nigerian songs have taken over the whole African continent. I can confidently say that I'm the first rapper to make money off rap music in Nigeria."

When asked, when he would get married? He responded saying, "I have chosen to  keep my relationship, and my private life in general away from the press. I have vowed not to kids out of wedlock and I am bidding my time to do the right thing.