Veteran Nigerian rapper Ruggedman has shared his thoughts on the state of Nigerian music, saying he believes the popular “Afrobeats” tag might soon come to an end. Speaking on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds, the rapper, whose real name is Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, reflected on the evolution of the country’s sound and how it has gained massive global attention in recent years.
Ruggedman acknowledged the success of Nigerian music across the world but said the “Afrobeats” label could be losing its distinct meaning. According to him, the term now groups together different genres and artists, making it difficult to truly define what Nigerian music stands for. He also questioned the logic of classifying legends like Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade under the same tag, pointing out that their styles are very different from the music being made today.
While he praised the growth of Nigerian music, Ruggedman expressed concern over what he described as a decline in lyrical quality and substance. He noted that many of today’s songs focus more on rhythm and popularity than meaningful storytelling or strong messages. Despite this, he commended young artists for keeping Nigerian music in global conversations and pushing creative boundaries.
The rapper also spoke about the struggles facing Nigerian rap, explaining that the genre has been sidelined due to the commercial dominance of Afrobeats. He mentioned that rap is often more expensive to produce and promote, which discourages some artists from staying committed to it.
Ruggedman recently released acoustic versions of some of his most popular songs, including “Ruggedy Baba,” “Baraje,” and “One Man.” He said he plans to collaborate with artists like Odumodu Blvck, Magnito, Jeric, and Tubaba in 2026, showing that his passion for music remains strong.
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