Nigerian rap veteran Ruggedman, 39, has written an open letter to 9ice, bloggers and journalists concerning the 6-year-old rumour that he slept with Toni Payne (9ice's wife in 2010). In the open letter Ruggedman said 9ice's apology came late but he still accepts it nonetheless. You can read his open letter below;
Quote
"In 2010 9ice released a song that made a lot of people wrongfully drag me into a terrible situation. People who misconstrued the song and it created a rumour . A terrible false rumour that was fueled by journalists and bloggers who were only after hits on their sites. Bloggers and journalists who did not care to investigate and confirm a rumour, but chose to print and post it anyways not caring who got hurt in the process.
I remember pleading my innocence and that of Toni Payne's but social media people being who and how they are,chose not to listen. I remember calling 9ice on the phone CIA style to talk to him about it and he was clearly heard admitting the song was not about myself or Toni Payne, but social media people being who and how they are, chose not to listen. I remember asking 9ice to publicly clear the air on the terrible rumour, but was shocked when my friend said he would not because he was busy and didn't have time for such. Again nobody wondered why. Fast forward 2016. Six years later and I was surprised when I heard that 9ice has finally come out to say I never slept with his wife and the song was not about me and even apologized on top. That he has finally come out to say the truth about the issue that cast a negative shadow over my head and that of his ex wife for six years. All I can do is smile because I know me better than anybody out there who insulted me over the matter. I said it then and i say it now, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens will never sleep with his friends wife. Families and husbands you can now relax. Your daughters and wives are safe around me hahahahaha!! To 9ice, bro you left it a bit too late. You had your chance to clear this matter up 6 years ago when it really mattered but you did not take it. I do not know why and exactly what it was that made you keep quiet all that while. I did my best to clear my name without you and moved have moved on since.
Anyways I accept your apology and thank God we are all alive. To bloggers and journalists: You will be who and how you are,but the best and most successful ones amongst you will be the ones who actually get professional about with their work and try to investigate stories before putting it out there. I really hope you all realise its not all about the hits. Do not lose your humanity all because you want to be the first to break news. On a lighter note,if you want to break news,kindly break the news that my new song ft Olamide titled Seyi Shay will drop on cloud 9music and mtn plus tomorrow 5th February 2016. I wish you all the best and I appreciate everybody who has been there for me.God bless us all."
Last month 9ice released a statement saying that his ex-wife Toni Payne never had sex with Ruggedman when they were married. He also apologized to Ruggedman. In 2010 9ice released a song titled 'Once Bitten, Twice Shy' off his Tradition album. In the track he sings about a lover of his who cheated on him with his friend. Many people believed 9ice was singing about Toni Payne and Ruggedman.
I am a metro reporter on Gistmania, I have been publishing news materials for over 5 years
Posted: at 4-02-2016 02:06 PM (9 years ago) | Hero
concentrate at 4-02-2016 02:32 PM (9 years ago) (m)
9ice is obviously cold hearted. for God sake what does it take to make a statement in a case of this magnitude. if it were to be a matter of life and death that is how the innocent man would have died simple because someone who is in position to clear the air has refused to say the truth. wicked man.
Posted: at 4-02-2016 02:32 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
AmazingMarie at 4-02-2016 06:51 PM (9 years ago) (f)
hood one ruggedy baba you tried bearing the magnitude of the whispers and the castigation on your person when you were actually innocent. thank God you are alive to testify of your innocence.
Posted: at 4-02-2016 06:51 PM (9 years ago) | Hero
I don't understand this musicians, when 9ice sang gbamu gbamu in his once bitten twice shy album he was saying nothing dey there again & u in return released a word is enough 4 d 9ice abi u don 4get oboy na una sabi o. if una like mik una comot each other wife eye cool or jongor dat 1 no concern me o....peace out
Posted: at 4-02-2016 10:18 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
for God sake what does it take to make a statement in a case of this magnitude. if it were to be a matter of life and death that is how the innocent man would have died simple because someone who is in position to clear the air has refused to say the truth.
Posted: at 5-02-2016 03:19 AM (9 years ago) | Upcoming
He said people wives and daughters r save with him.... So six yrs wives and daughters r not save with u??? Can't even try it save my daughter and wife with men! Lolz
Posted: at 5-02-2016 07:35 AM (9 years ago) | Newbie
God sake what does it take to make a statement in a case of this magnitude. if it were to be a matter of life and death that is how the innocent man would have died simple because someone who is in position to clear the air has refused to say the truth. You better go open up before its to late.
Posted: at 6-02-2016 01:42 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac