It was an unforgettable evening of exceptional music, entertainment and camaraderie, as rapper and music producer, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens popularly known as Ruggedman unveiled his new body of work, an EP titled, T.M.S.E (The Michael Stephens Experiment).
The exclusive listening and release party for T.M.S.E took place at Vaniti Lagos, Victoria Island. The star-studded event featured appearances by top personalities like Iyabo Ojo, Mr Macaroni, King Uzi, Eedris Abdulkareem, Durella, Mummy Wa, and Specikinging.
T.M.S.E marks another milestone in Ruggedman’s illustrious career, showcasing his evolution as a rapper and his continued commitment to delivering high-quality music. The EP features collaboration with some of the industry’s brightest talent like Jesse Jagz, Eva Alordiah and Mista Styles (formerly Freestyle of Trybesmen).
T.M.S.E parades four tracks including OG, One Man ft. MCdow, Gara and Found Love. OG, a standout single from the EP, is expected to be a fan favourite, blending powerful lyrics with captivating beats that reflect Ruggedman’s unique style and versatility.
Speaking on the new work, Ruggedman said: “The EP is aptly titled T.M.S.E 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 songwriters like Specikinging and Mbryo. This will be understood in the track, Found Love where Fiokee displayed his guitarist art.”
A graduate of Political Science from Lagos State University (LASU), Ruggedman began his musical journey in 1999. He made a name for himself by producing his own songs and releasing two well-received tracks that year. Over the years, Ruggedman has solidified his position as a leading figure on the music scene, becoming the most featured Nigerian rapper. His albums, all released under his label, Rugged Records, have consistently topped charts and won numerous accolades.
Beyond his music career, however, Ruggedman is also known for his role as the host of the prestigious NB Plc sponsored Star Quest reality TV show held from 2009 to 2011.
T.M.S.E is available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. For those seeking exclusive content, there will be special releases available via email. Fans are encouraged to subscribe to Ruggedman’s mailing list for the exclusive updates at: www.iamruggedman.com