Veteran Nigerian rapper, Ruggedman, has called on fellow artistes to move beyond superficial themes in their music and use their craft as a platform for education and social change.
In an interview with Sunday Scoop, the Baraje crooner highlighted the need for more intentional content in the music industry.
“There is more to music than talking about money, women, sex and drugs. From the start, I have always known music to be a way of spreading information, so that can’t change with me. The situation in Nigeria is more than enough to fuel any creative choice to speak through music,” he said.
Ruggedman also weighed in on the criticism directed at celebrities who have remained silent on the detention of social media personality, Very Dark Man. He maintained that advocacy is a personal decision and should not be forced on anyone.
Responding to questions about his shift into acting, the rapper explained that his passion for the screen began decades ago, and he remains committed to developing his skills in the film industry.
“My going into movies didn’t start today. I featured as an extra (waka pass) in a few movies by the late Francis Agu in the late 1990s. I love movies and have always wanted to act and produce movies or TV series.”
Ruggedman added that he welcomes both praise and criticism, viewing feedback as essential for growth.
“As a serious critic myself, I am open to and take criticism well because it’s one of the ways you learn and improve. I definitely love the praises too because it means one is doing well.”
