Why I Have Not Married at 52 — Nigerian Rapper Ruggedman

Nigerian hip-hop veteran Ruggedman has explained why he is yet to settle down in marriage at the age of 52, saying the pressures of building his music career and the collapse of a long-term relationship contributed to his current situation.

The rapper, whose real name is Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, shared the details during a recent radio interview, revealing that marriage and fatherhood have always been part of his personal aspirations.

According to him, the Nigerian music industry was particularly demanding when he began his career, requiring musicians to work tirelessly to establish themselves and remain relevant.

Ruggedman said his commitment to pursuing success often meant that time passed without him paying sufficient attention to other areas of his life.

He explained that some musicians were fortunate to find partners who understood the challenges of the entertainment industry and were willing to support them throughout their journeys.

However, he admitted that he did not enjoy the same experience.

“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,” the rapper said.

He specifically referenced fellow musician 2Baba, noting that the singer had found partners willing to accompany him through the demands of his career.

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Ruggedman also revealed that he once had a five-year relationship that he expected would culminate in marriage. Unfortunately, the relationship eventually collapsed after an incident he declined to explain.

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

The rapper confirmed that he is currently single and not involved in any romantic relationship.

Despite this, Ruggedman insisted that he remains hopeful about marriage and does not believe his age should prevent him from finding a suitable partner.

The veteran entertainer further explained that although he desires to have children, he has made a firm decision not to have a child outside marriage.

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

When asked whether marrying at 52 would be too late, he maintained that there was still time to fulfil his dream.

“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.

Ruggedman also addressed a question about his sexuality, responding that he is heterosexual.

His remarks highlight the challenges of balancing career ambitions with personal relationships and his continued hope of establishing a family.