The seasoned rapper Ruggedman, also known as Michael Ugochukwu Steven, asserts that he is the first up-and-coming Nigerian musician to acquire a vehicle.
He asserted in an Echo Room interview that he had a car before Afrobeats superstars D’banj and P-Square.
“I bought my BMW for N900,000 in 2004. I was the first young Nigerian artist to own a car before them P-Square and D’banj,” he said.
“The only artists that had cars then were signed to Kennis Music. They didn’t own the cars. They were only given to them for official use. Tuface shared the same car with his labelmates then.”
Ruggedman also claimed that he was “the first young artist to print posters and calendars back then.”
Recall that, Ruggedman claimed responsibility for the development of Nigerian music.
He claimed that by releasing a contentious hit song, he significantly contributed to the industry’s current state.
Ruggedman stated in an interview that one of the key decisions that helped establish the Nigerian sound early in his career was to concentrate on creating original music.
The Hip Hop star said;
“I played a significant role in the evolution of the Nigerian music industry. After I released the song that has been tagged one of the most controversial songs out of Nigeria, I sat up and concentrated on making original music.
“That is one of the major moves that led us to where we are today. Anyone who listens to my recently released Extended Play album titled, Michael Stephens Experiment, will hear how my music has evolved.”
On why he featured Jesse Jagz, Eva Alordiah, Mista Styles (formerly Freestyle) and Uzikwendu on one of the tracks on the EP titled, OG’, Ruggedman said;
“I wanted a track that would show the world that some of the super talented rappers to ever do it can still do it, no matter how much music has changed. The beat was produced by a Gen Z producer— Blvck Sauce.
I sent it to them (featured artistes) and they all recorded their verses and sent it back to me. Music style is temporary, but talent and class are permanent. That is what that song emphasises.”
