In a recent interview with Echo Room, popular rapper Ruggedman, whose real name is Michael Ugochukwu Steven, made a striking claim about his early achievements.
He stated that he was the first young Nigerian artist to personally own a car, revealing that he purchased a BMW for N900,000 back in 2004. This was reportedly ahead of prominent Afrobeats stars such as P-Square and D’banj, who would later acquire their own vehicles.
Ruggedman emphasized that his early car purchase set him apart in the Nigerian music industry at that time.
According to him, other artists, especially those affiliated with Kennis Music, were only given cars for official use but did not own them personally. This distinction highlighted Ruggedman’s unique position and financial independence in the music scene during that era.
The rapper’s statement underscores his pioneering role in setting new standards for success and personal ownership within the Nigerian music industry.
By sharing this piece of history, Ruggedman not only reflects on his own accomplishments but also contrasts them with the practices of his contemporaries from that period.
“I purchased my BMW for N900,000 in 2004 and was the first young Nigerian artist to own a car before P-Square and D’banj,” he stated.
“At that time, the only artists who had cars were those signed to Kennis Music. However, these vehicles were not personally owned by the artists; they were provided for official use only. Tuface, for example, shared a car with his labelmates.”
He also pointed out his pioneering marketing strategies, asserting that he was the first young artist to produce posters and calendars for promotion.
