After what may be considered break, renowned rapper and music producer, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, known professionally as Ruggedman, is back on the scene and has releases his latest project titled T.M.S.E (The Michael Stephens Experiment), an Extensive Playlist (EP).
The project marks another milestone in the artist’s
illustrious career, showcasing his evolution as an artiste and his continued
commitment to delivering high-quality music. It features collaborations with
some of the industry’s brightest talents, including Jesse Jagz, Eva Alordiah and Mista Styles (formerly
Freestyle of Trybesmen).
The EP has four tracks, which include OG, One man ft MCdow, Gara
and Found Love. As a standout single from the project, the track OG is
expected to be fan’s favourite, blending lyrics with captivating beats that
reflect Ruggedman’s unique style and versatility.
Speaking on the EP, Ruggedman who took time off music for
a while to do some humanitarian work said, “The EP is aptly titled because it
is a body of work where I decided to experiment with different genres of music.
It is not the usual rap I am known for, rather it is a way to show the side of
Ruggedman people aren’t familiar with.
I achieved this with the support of amazing song writers
like Specikinging and Mbryo. This will be understood in the track Found Love
where Fiokee displayed his guitarist art.
According to the Ruggedman, the exclusive listening and
release party held yesterday at the esteemed Vaniti Lagos in Victoria Island.
He noted that T.M.S.E upon release will be available on all major streaming
platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
Commenting on his long absence from music, the rapper,
who is renowned for his dynamic performances and impactful lyrics, said, “I
took time off music for a while to do some humanitarian work. I have been doing
that for some time; helping people seek justice when it comes to abuse of power
or police brutality.
I also started a 30-minute radio show where I speak about police brutality. It is called ‘Wetin Dey With Ruggedman’. People call to tell me about their issues and I help them in any way I can. If they need the assistance of police, lawyers, or human rights organizations, I help them out. I connect them to the right people to give them the assistance they need.
A graduate of Political Science from Lagos State
University (LASU), Ọ̀jọ́, Ruggedman has been a major influence in the African
music industry since his debut in 1999.
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