Ruggedman - Michael Ugochukwu Stephens

Michael Ugochukwu Stephens aka Ruggedman was born on the 20th of September in Ebem Ohafia, Abia state

Michael Ugochukwu Stephens Age

Not available.

Michael Ugochukwu Stephens Early Life

He is a graduate of Political Science from the Lagos State University. A natural lover of rap music, rapping along to the  rap lines of other artists until he could write his own.

Michael Ugochukwu Stephens Career

By 1999, Ruggedman had his first CD which had two tracks, 'What If' and 'Gwo -Gwo' out to massive air play. In 2002, he released the Diss track, 'Ehen Part 1' criticizing a couple of Nigerian rappers and this too made waves. He soon released 'Big bros' in which he took on a Nigerian business mogul for trying to stop his songs from getting played on radio stations and this was closely followed by 'What You Got' to shut up critics that were of the opinion that all he could  do was diss. The later was a favorite in Clubs and peaked at No 1 on Star 101.5 Fm's 'World New Flavour chart show' and these were all released under his record label, Rugged records.

He has performed at countless events including; Mr. Macho event at the University Of Lagos (UNILAG) in 1994, Nigerian Carnival at the National Stadium in 1994, Lyricist Lounge held at club 11:45 for the Rap Legend Guru from America, Eve and Kc & Jojo - show (performed alongside Tony Tetuila), He was part of the opening act for Lagbaja in 2003, the Guinness stand for Coja All African Games alongside Dance hall sensation, Sean Paul.

He has worked with local and international artistes like Paul Play Dairo, C-Mion, Abounce, Jaffar, Azadus, Frank Ogbebor, Harmony, Josh (A Congolese rapper), Segun Fakeye, Tuface Idibia, P-Square, 9ice, Flavour N'abania, Dbanj,Shawa, Chi Chi, Artquake, Nutty Pin, OJB Jezreel, Magnum (London based rapper), George Nathaniel, Slam,Mr. Kool, Wyclef Jean, Akon, Wayne Wonder, Ja Rule, Kevin Little, Maxie Priest, Kanye West, LL Cool J, T-Pain, Nas, and Nelly among others.

He directed his first music video in 2002 which was Dbanj's 'Kiss me again' music video. In 2008 and 2009, he anchored the MTN Project Fame Official Press Media Launch. In September 2012, Rugged records signed her first act, 'Mbryo' who was featured on Ruggedman’s 'Ruggedy Baba pt 2’ produced by Blaize Beatz.

He has been nominated four countless awards and is the first Nigerian artist to get an award named after him. Some of the awards he has been nominated for include-

• 2005 Best Male Artist West Africa at the KORA All African Awards
• 2009 Best Hip Hop Act at the KORA All Africa Music Award
• 2011 Best Rap Album at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards
• 2012 Best Mainstream Hip Video at the Nigerian Music Video Awards in New York
• 2013 Best Rap Act of the Year at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards New York

Ruggedman owns a clothing line called '20th Sept' Wear, named after his birthday and is the United Nations Peace Ambassador.

 

Michael Ugochukwu Stephens Personal Life

He chose the name Ruggedman when he was just starting out rapping in high school as he did not want a name that sounded 'weak' and he thought adding the tag 'MC' was over the top and 'Rugged Soul' was too deep.

Michael Ugochukwu Stephens Awards

• 2003 best new rap act/group or duo at the Nigerian Fanta Fame Award
• 2003 Rap Artist Of The Year, Best Video Of The Year, And Song Of The Year at the Gbedu music awards
• 2003  Best Solo Performance at the AMEN Awards
• 2003 Best Rap Video at the AMEN Awards
• 2003 Artist of the year at the AMEN Awards
• 2004 Best Solo Performance at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards
• 2004 Best Solo Performance at the AMEN Awards
• 2006 Hip Hop Artist of the year at the Nigerian Music Awards in London.
• 2008 Best rap album at the Hip Hop World Awards
• 2008 Best Rap Artist at the Nigerian Music Award
• 2008 Best Indigenous Video concept at the Nigeria Music Video Award
• 2009  Nigerian Rap King at the University of Ibadan Award.

Michael Ugochukwu Stephens Net Worth

His net worth is not available.

Michael Ugochukwu Stephens on Social Media