Ruggedman Reveals Why He Is Still Unmarried at 52

Veteran Nigerian rapper Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, popularly known as Ruggedman, has opened up about the reasons he remains unmarried at 52, identifying the demands of his music career and the breakdown of a five-year relationship as factors that influenced his marital journey.

The rapper made the disclosure during a recent radio interview, where he spoke candidly about his personal life, his desire to raise a family and his determination to marry before having children.

Ruggedman explained that he entered the Nigerian music industry at a time when success depended largely on individual effort, persistence and relentless hard work. According to him, pursuing his music career consumed much of his time, leaving him with fewer opportunities to focus on other aspects of his life.

He noted that while some of his contemporaries managed to find partners willing to support them throughout their professional journeys, his own experience was different.

“I am one of those who got into the industry back in the day where all we had was our hustle and we faced it and before you know it, time was gone,” he said.

Comparing his experience with that of fellow musician 2Baba, Ruggedman observed that some entertainers were fortunate to find partners who understood the demands of their careers.

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“2baba was lucky to have found partners who were ready to walk that road with him, I wasn’t that lucky,” he added.

The rapper disclosed that he once spent five years in a relationship he believed would eventually lead to marriage. However, the relationship ended following an incident he did not specify, leaving his marital plans unrealised.

“I had a five year relationship that I thought would lead to marriage but something happened and it crashed,” he revealed.

Ruggedman also confirmed that he is currently not involved in any romantic relationship.

Despite his age, the musician maintained that he has not abandoned his dream of getting married and having children. He stressed that he would not father a child outside wedlock, describing it as a personal commitment.

“The only thing I vowed is that I will never have a child out of wedlock,” he said.

Asked whether he believed it was too late to marry at 52, Ruggedman rejected the suggestion, insisting that finding a life partner has no age limit.

“No, I don’t think it’s too late. It’s never too late. As long as you are alive, it’s never too late to get married,” he stated.

He also dismissed speculation about his sexuality, declaring during the interview that he is heterosexual.

His comments have offered insight into the personal experiences behind the rapper’s longstanding bachelorhood.