Ruggedman returns, drop highly anticipated EP T.M.S.E

After what may be considered hiatus, renowned rapper and music producer, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, known professionally as Ruggedman, is back on the scene and was billed to release his latest project titled T.M.S.E (The Michael Stephens Experiment), an Extensive Playlist (EP) yesterday.

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.