Ruggedman

Not to be confused with R.A. the Rugged Man.

Ruggedman
Background information
Birth name	Michael Ugochukwu Stephens
Also known as	Ruggedy Baba, Opomulero, Mr Controversial
Born	September 20
Origin	Ohafia, Nigeria
Genres	African hip hop, rap
Occupation(s)	Rapper, record producer
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Rugged Records

Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, known professionally as Ruggedman, is a Nigerian rapper from Ohafia, Nigeria.

Career

A graduate of political science from Lagos State University, Ọ̀jọ́.[1] Ruggedman started exploring music in 1999. He produced his own songs and released two well-received tracks in 1999. His albums are all released on his personal label, Rugged Records.

Ruggedman's record label, Rugged Records, signed its first act, singer MBRYO, in September 2012. MBRYO was featured on Ruggedman's "Ruggedy Baba pt 2″, produced by Blaize Beatz. Money Making Music, Ruggedman's 2012 album, is a collaboration with MBRYO serving as a promotion for the artist. The album also had guest appearances by Terry G and Funbi.

Ruggedman hosted the Star Quest Reality TV Talent Show in 2009, 2010, and 2011.[2]

Controversies

In 2002, Ruggedman released the song "Ehen" featuring Nomoreloss. The song, which was directed at then established acts in the Nigeria music industry, critisised Eedris Abdulkareem, Black Reverendz, Maintain and Rasqui for their apparent lack of lyrical contents or originality in their songs.

Discography

Albums

• Thy Album Come (2004)
• Ruggedy Baba (2007)[3]
• Untouchable (2010)[4]
• Money Making Music (2012)[5]
• Situation (2021)[6]
• The Michael Stephens Experiment (2024)[7]

Singles

Year	Title	Album	Ref
2016	Seyi Shay Featuring Olamide	—	[8]

References

1. "RuggedMan Set to Drop Highly Anticipated EP". 31 May 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
2. "TheNET.ng – Nigeria's Top Website for News, Gossip, Comedy, Videos, Blogs, Events, Weddings, Nollywood, Celebs, Scoop and Games". Nigerian Entertainment Today – Nigeria's Top Website for News, Gossip, Comedy, Videos, Blogs, Events, Weddings, Nollywood, Celebs, Scoop and Games.
3. "Ruggedy Baba by Rugged Man".
4. "Untouchable by Rugged Man".
5. "iTunes - Music - Money Making Music by Ruggedman & Mbryo". itunes.apple.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014.
6. "Situation". Spotify.
7. "The Michael Stephens Experiment". Spotify.
8. "New Music Ruggedman – 'Seyi Shay' ft Olamide". Pulse.ng. Joey Akan. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2016.