Veteran Rapper Ruggedman Warns: “The ‘Afrobeats’ Tag Might Be Fading”
Nigerian hip-hop veteran Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, better known as Ruggedman, has sounded a note of caution for the current state of Nigerian music. During a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds, he shared his belief that the widely-used label “Afrobeats” may soon lose its relevance.
A Shift in the Label?
Ruggedman stated:
“I just have a feeling that this whole Afrobeats thing, the tag, might end soon. Nigerian music is in the forefront and I’m happy it is Nigerian music.”
While he praised how Nigerian music has achieved global recognition, he voiced concern over what he perceives as a decline in creative depth:
“The only change that I don’t fancy much is the quality of the music, and not too many of them are giving me what I really respect.”
What’s in a Name?
Ruggedman drew a distinction between the genres “Afrobeat” and “Afrobeats”, a point of frequent debate in music circles. He explained that while “Afrobeat” refers to the original, politically-charged, jazz-infused style pioneered by Fela Anikulapo‑Kuti, the term “Afrobeats” has come to represent a broader, more commercial African pop sound. He questioned retroactively classifying pioneers such as Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, King Sunny Ade or Kwam 1 under the Afrobeats tag.
Ruggedman offered his alternative: simply call it “Nigerian music”.
Rap’s Place in the Landscape
According to Ruggedman, the spotlight on Afrobeats-style tracks has come at a cost to rap. He noted:
“Unfortunately, rap has kind of taken a backseat, because people want to do something that gives them money quickly.”
He added that investing in rap tends to be more costly than pushing a typical Afrobeats single, which may explain the fewer number of rappers emerging today.
What He’s Doing About It
In line with his critique of the industry, Ruggedman recently released acoustic versions of five of his classic tracks, including “Ruggedy Baba”, “Baraje”, “Change”, “Won’t Battle” and “One Man”, collaborating with guitarist Fiokee to strip down the songs to guitar and vocals only. He said this approach allows listeners to connect more deeply with the lyrics and emotion behind the words.
He also announced new collaborations slated for 2026 with artists including Odumodublvck, Jeriq, Magnito and 2Baba.
In summary, Ruggedman’s remarks reflect a deep-seated concern about genre labels, artistic quality and the direction of Nigerian music. While he celebrates its global reach, he warns that without strong substance and thoughtful definition, the “Afrobeats” tag may no longer serve the industry as intended.