So, few days ago, Ruggedman released a song he did with 9ice titled 'Religion' which is the first collaboration after the allegat...
So, few days ago, Ruggedman released a song he did with 9ice titled 'Religion' which is the first collaboration after the allegations that he was sleeping with 9ice's ex-wife Toni Payne. OAP Freeze shared the song cover and threw a shade at them.
Well, KFB met with Ruggedman and he shares his thoughts over it and other controversial issues surrounding him.
Enjoy!
What is Ruggedman up to lately?
Yeah! I released a song last week featuring 9ice. People never expected it. I really came as a surprise because I didn't do the 'Coming soon' announcement. I just dropped the song and that my strategy is working to promote the song. Everybody was shocked when it dropped.
The song is titled 'Religion', just like what we did for the Nigerian music some years ago with the song Ruggedy Baba. Then, we preached a particular gospel and it became a trend. We are doing same thing this time with this song 'Religion'.
In the song, 9ice and I made sure we didn't talk about the issue we had because to me, I have let bygones be bygones.
So, since you have had issues with 9ice, why then did you feature him again in this new song?
Well, he has apologized for everything that happened, so I didn't see anything wrong in featuring him in my song. He is still my friend, and I had known him for a long time, so I asked him if he would like do this song with me, he agreed and that was it.
Don't you think people would see it like your tactics to hype the song; a reconciliation song between you two?
Well, this is not the first time we had done songs together, although this is the first one since after the whole controversy.
We have done a song before and it was a hit, so I believe we can do it again not necessarily because of the drama.
I have done songs with Eedris too and it was a hit, it wasn't because we wanted to use the drama to sell the music.
It's just part of life though, what ever we do, people would still assume all sorts. Even if we do a song and title is 'Love and Peace', people would still criticize and say a whole lots. Life goes on my dear. They should continue.
Freeze was one of those who throw a shade at you guys over the song, do you have issues with him before?
(laughs) No! Not at all. Lot of things happen in life; people will insult you, talk about you, point accusing fingers at you but how you react about it makes you who you are.
If you don't react fine. That's why I chose to remain silent. It's not everything that i should respond to.
But Freeze is my friend, I don't take whatever he said or wrote at heart. Don't worry i'll catch him and deal with him too, make em no worry (laughs).
Have you ever had any issue with him before now?
No! Everybody is doing his or own thing to get his or her own business moving and gathering traffic on social media. Just like people always insult Linda Ikeji and calling her all sorts of names but she's making her money and building her empire.
So, I am taking the positives out of the while shades and criticism and ignore the rest. It's has been working for me in a positive way, people has been calling to ask me about issues with Freeze and as well journalists like you also asking me same questions, so you see, it's all helping me promote the song in a way.
Since 9ice apologized, how has your relationship with him been?
We have been friends since then, but hey, you don't expect everything to go back to normal or how it was, because we are human, so many things can't be forgotten. But now we talk well, hang out, gist and we have even worked together on a song which is a good point!
Why is Ruggedman still unmarried?
Well, marriage will happen when it will happen. Marriage is not a fashion statement that everybody wants to join the trend. You don't get married because people are getting married or get married because people asked you do, you get married when you are very ready to get married.
I keep saying parents should not force their children to get married because it's part of what causes domestic violence in homes of nowadays.
Are you in support of what Flavour said about marriage slowing the progress of artistes?
Well, that's Flavour not Ruggedman. I don't know about that one, but I know i'll get married when the right time comes.
If you do things right, marriage wouldn't be a barrier to your music or whatever thing you are doing.
I'll not lie to you, I know a lot of artistes that got married and it slowed their career so much. But they are still those who got married and they are still doing their thing. It's all left to you and how you manage your marriage and career.
I'll always advice that one should marry his or her best friend, it helps a lot.
So, you are already dating your best friend and planning to get married?
(laughs). That's not what I said. I didn't say that. I just gave an advice.
Are you in a relationship?
I don't want to talk about my private life, I want it to remain private.
Are you scared of talking about it or scared of commitment?
No! Marriage is nothing one should be scared about. It should only be done at the right time. Some people, when they see their soul mates, they just can't wait to get married to them.
That's how it should be, but when you are having second thoughts, then calm down, check yourself make sure you are doing the right thing.
Who's Ruggedman's ideal woman?
Everybody can paint a picture of their ideal woman but nobody knows who he would fall in love with.
Are you in love right now?
(laughs). Yes! I'm in love with Rihanna.
But Don Jazzy is also in love with her...
(cuts in) Who's Don Jazzy, he better stay clear, if I catch him anywhere near my Rihanna, he will not like it (laughs).
What's your take on this present government?
Well, I really need them to tell Nigerians what's going on because the economy is not working for a lot o us and it's getting worse. The exchange rate is not friendly at all.
As an artiste how bad has it affected you?
There are no much shows like we used to. Show organizers are also affected and it in turn affect the artistes.
Who did you vote for during the last election?
Hmmmmm....i didn't vote for anybody oh.
from ICE
Freeze wrote:
Interview Excerpts......
What is Ruggedman up to lately?
Yeah! I released a song last week featuring 9ice. People never expected it. I really came as a surprise because I didn't do the 'Coming soon' announcement. I just dropped the song and that my strategy is working to promote the song. Everybody was shocked when it dropped.
The song is titled 'Religion', just like what we did for the Nigerian music some years ago with the song Ruggedy Baba. Then, we preached a particular gospel and it became a trend. We are doing same thing this time with this song 'Religion'.
In the song, 9ice and I made sure we didn't talk about the issue we had because to me, I have let bygones be bygones.
So, since you have had issues with 9ice, why then did you feature him again in this new song?
Well, he has apologized for everything that happened, so I didn't see anything wrong in featuring him in my song. He is still my friend, and I had known him for a long time, so I asked him if he would like do this song with me, he agreed and that was it.
Don't you think people would see it like your tactics to hype the song; a reconciliation song between you two?
Well, this is not the first time we had done songs together, although this is the first one since after the whole controversy.
We have done a song before and it was a hit, so I believe we can do it again not necessarily because of the drama.
I have done songs with Eedris too and it was a hit, it wasn't because we wanted to use the drama to sell the music.
It's just part of life though, what ever we do, people would still assume all sorts. Even if we do a song and title is 'Love and Peace', people would still criticize and say a whole lots. Life goes on my dear. They should continue.
Freeze was one of those who throw a shade at you guys over the song, do you have issues with him before?
(laughs) No! Not at all. Lot of things happen in life; people will insult you, talk about you, point accusing fingers at you but how you react about it makes you who you are.
If you don't react fine. That's why I chose to remain silent. It's not everything that i should respond to.
But Freeze is my friend, I don't take whatever he said or wrote at heart. Don't worry i'll catch him and deal with him too, make em no worry (laughs).
Have you ever had any issue with him before now?
No! Everybody is doing his or own thing to get his or her own business moving and gathering traffic on social media. Just like people always insult Linda Ikeji and calling her all sorts of names but she's making her money and building her empire.
So, I am taking the positives out of the while shades and criticism and ignore the rest. It's has been working for me in a positive way, people has been calling to ask me about issues with Freeze and as well journalists like you also asking me same questions, so you see, it's all helping me promote the song in a way.
Since 9ice apologized, how has your relationship with him been?
We have been friends since then, but hey, you don't expect everything to go back to normal or how it was, because we are human, so many things can't be forgotten. But now we talk well, hang out, gist and we have even worked together on a song which is a good point!
Why is Ruggedman still unmarried?
Well, marriage will happen when it will happen. Marriage is not a fashion statement that everybody wants to join the trend. You don't get married because people are getting married or get married because people asked you do, you get married when you are very ready to get married.
I keep saying parents should not force their children to get married because it's part of what causes domestic violence in homes of nowadays.
Are you in support of what Flavour said about marriage slowing the progress of artistes?
Well, that's Flavour not Ruggedman. I don't know about that one, but I know i'll get married when the right time comes.
If you do things right, marriage wouldn't be a barrier to your music or whatever thing you are doing.
I'll not lie to you, I know a lot of artistes that got married and it slowed their career so much. But they are still those who got married and they are still doing their thing. It's all left to you and how you manage your marriage and career.
I'll always advice that one should marry his or her best friend, it helps a lot.
So, you are already dating your best friend and planning to get married?
(laughs). That's not what I said. I didn't say that. I just gave an advice.
Are you in a relationship?
I don't want to talk about my private life, I want it to remain private.
Are you scared of talking about it or scared of commitment?
No! Marriage is nothing one should be scared about. It should only be done at the right time. Some people, when they see their soul mates, they just can't wait to get married to them.
That's how it should be, but when you are having second thoughts, then calm down, check yourself make sure you are doing the right thing.
Who's Ruggedman's ideal woman?
Everybody can paint a picture of their ideal woman but nobody knows who he would fall in love with.
Are you in love right now?
(laughs). Yes! I'm in love with Rihanna.
But Don Jazzy is also in love with her...
(cuts in) Who's Don Jazzy, he better stay clear, if I catch him anywhere near my Rihanna, he will not like it (laughs).
What's your take on this present government?
Well, I really need them to tell Nigerians what's going on because the economy is not working for a lot o us and it's getting worse. The exchange rate is not friendly at all.
As an artiste how bad has it affected you?
There are no much shows like we used to. Show organizers are also affected and it in turn affect the artistes.
Who did you vote for during the last election?
Hmmmmm....i didn't vote for anybody oh.
