Entertainment
Why Ruggedman Abandoned Music For Fashion Biz
Early this year, one of the hip hop idols in Nigeria, Michael Ugochukwu Stephen, popularly known as Ruggedman, dropped a bomb shell that he would not be releasing any more album after the one he was working on at the moment and that he will be concentrating on his clothing business and using his Ruggedman leverage to promote his Rugged records, this declaration shattered his fans who were disappointed with his decision.
There were speculations why the popular hip hop master decided to quit the profession that gave him fame and money.
However, a recent information has it that Ruggedman’s decision was infact connected to Toni Payne, a designer and manufacturer of chain cosmetic products, based in Los Angeles, California, USA. She is also the wife of one of Nigeria’s greatest hip hop artistes, Abolore Adigun a.k.a gice.
Our source also revealed that the incident happened some years back as she helped Ruggedman facilitate a multimillion naira contract abroad and the money was what the ‘Baraje Master’ as he is also known used in setting up the expensive, but very lucrative fashion business.
It further disclosed that the amount of income generated in the business which is substantial is the reason why Ruggedman who would like to take after American rap star, 50 cents business ideology abandoned his music career.
It will be recalled that Ruggedman took the Nigerian music industry by storm years back. He entered into the industry dropping his controversial single “Ehn hen” in which he took on those who he believed were not practising the professional the way it is supposed to be. This initially gave him enemies in the industry , but events later showed that those he fingered in the song are now his friends as he has featured either in their movies or their songs. He recently veered into the fashion industry with his 20th clothing label.
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.
Nancy Briggs
