“I have lost a lot for speaking my mind” – Ruggedman recounts

Nigerian rapper and designer, Ruggedman, says he’s lost much from saying his mind in his songs and elsewhere over time.

In a chat with Sunday Scoop, the rapper also vowed never to have kids outside of a marriage, saying he’s taking his time to do the right thing.

‘Like I said in my song, Baraje, I blend with the trend and stay forever like culture. I always move with the times and I make sure I stay on top of my game.

‘I also work with the people who are making waves at any particular time and I keep making good music,’ he said.

‘I am happy that many of the things I spoke about in those days are still happening. I have always been campaigning for the use of our mother tongue in our songs.

‘When I started, some people felt I was just a troublemaker; they didn’t know that I was fighting for the industry. Like I said in another of my songs, I will always speak my mind; whether people agree with it or not. I stand on the side of the truth and that is what I’m known for.

‘I wouldn’t go out of my way to diss anyone; I will just say the things that people know but don’t want to say.

‘Truly, I have lost a lot for speaking my mind, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Now, we all know that Nigerian songs have taken over the whole African continent. I can confidently say that I’m the first rapper to make money off rap music in Nigeria.’

Ruggedman continued, ‘I have chosen to keep my relationship, and my private life in general away from the press. I have vowed not to have kids out of wedlock and I am bidding my time to do the right thing.’