Ruggedman Speaks on controversial Rick Ross”Hold Me Back” Video
Story by Nigeriafilms.com
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 26, 2012
I will start by saying that some people in the international community already have a bad image about Nigeria. This is due to the dubious actions of some bad Nigerians they have encountered, both government officials and normal Nigerians. So I don’t see how one music video shot in the Nigerian slums (which we know we have) will tarnish the image of Nigeria.
When Nigerians go abroad,we snap pictures and make videos all over train stations, car parks, airports. We “choose” where we want to do this. This is the same way Rick Ross decided to shoot his Naija version of his song “Hold Me Back” in Naija ghetto areas. If you check his other version shot in America u will see that it was also in the hood; not as grimmy as ours but still the hood and I don’t hear any American saying he is portraying the slums and poverty in America to the international community.
Rick Ross did not sneak into Nigeria. He came in legally. If he showed anything in the video that some Nigerians find offensive, my question is “why was he allowed to shoot it in the 1st place?”
Someone on the internet said, after this video, no one will like to visit Nigeria. I just laughed. Is this video as bad as the Ogoni 9 killing? Is this video as bad as people being killed in the Northern crisis? But it hasn’t stopped foreigners coming to this country. During the Dana Air crash, local stations were going about their normal business but international news was already covering it. If we cared so much about our image to the international community what are we doing to clean it up?
It’s Nigerians in foreign countries that should check how they act. Once outside Nigeria, you become a Nigerian ambassador and should act like one. If you steal, you are a thief and you paint a bad picture of your country. We really need to get our priorities right. We need to find a way to make our leaders stop embezzling the Nation’s money right under our noses, calling us fools and bullying us.
Now take the situation of the masses in Nigeria e.g no light, education, shelter, good roads, medical care, security and put it beside the Rick Ross video then tell me which is more important to worry about. God bless and save Nigeria, God bless us all in Jesus name. I am a proud Abia man, I am proudly Nigerian and I am Ruggedman.
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uglyyy
Lana jerry | 9/25/2012 8:49:13 AMMonkey face ad vampire teeth rick dirty ross Reply this thread
Pls o
Lana jerry | 9/25/2012 8:57:30 AM |
Abeg o 9ja dnt need u at all, infact me lana say dat u a luking 4 our artist dat u will invite 2 yr illuminati as u hav suceeded in inviting psquare. Fat bele rick yansh ross abeg go wit yr wahala o
Kick your ass | 9/28/2012 2:03:09 PM |
Shut the f**k up f**l. what the hell you talking about f**l. I can't stand y'all lame ass murf**kas running your mouth talking trash about Gs. Stop being a troll n get outta here ma nigga...damn dawG
Chinedu | 9/25/2012 10:29:40 AM |
U must be c***y by abusing my man Ricky. He is one of the best thing that has happened to Naija. Rugged Man has said the truth. This video is the best and nothing more. f**k M.I for saying bulls**t abt this video.
Lalaland's Owner | 9/25/2012 7:30:11 PM |
Multiply that f**k you u gave to M.I by 1000, divide it by 2, add 100 then dash the total to yourself. Why u dey cuss & puff over an akata that doesn't even give a hoot about u or know u exist? Abeg leave your own comment like a sane & matured person and no start cussing like one of these busy body anumpama that roam around nfc. Cool your temper jare cuz everybody get different opinion for this matter.
Mrs Okolo | 9/25/2012 9:12:43 AMIt's actually kind of funny how dis vidoe will upset any one, don't we have kids begging on the streets in Nigeria or was Nigeria not a mess after the civil war like u saw in the vidoe. Pls this will not tarnish d image of Nigerian more than it is, just give the guy a break i believe in my country Nigeria but that doesn't mean i should close my eyes to the truth about the state of our country. Is a vidoe shot in Nigerian ghetto end of story it does mean that the whole cities in Nigeria is like that. Reply this thread
unnecessary reaction
gary | 9/25/2012 9:33:12 AMWhy are we quarrelling? Are there no slumps,are there no hunger & stervation,is anything working in this country.if u go to America & shoot ur film in the hood who will quarrel with u. Insead of cying wolf cry tell the leaders to amen their ways. Nigeria & china got independent the same time can u compare. Let's follow christ & live a honourable lifr shalom. Reply this thread
CLEM
Ricky idiot, | 9/25/2012 9:34:25 AMWhy can't him come to Abuja Maitama,Hilton ,Asokoro and shut the vidio???MUMU OTOMDO. Reply this thread
Enjoy My Mini Novel Response!
THE BOSS | 9/25/2012 10:39:43 AMRugged Man talks about how Rick Ross shot the US version of this video in the ghetto...well in case he didn't know, most US rappers are KNOWN for being very salacious, glorifying the ghetto (hood), promoting thug lifestyle, drugs, violence, etc. MOST of the individuals living in US ghetto are proud of their ghetto mentality, the backwardness in their community and they don't strive too hard to get out of their situation; hence the reason why gang & violence is becoming normalcy in a lot of the black dominated communities in US.
On the contrary, most of the individuals living in the Nigerian slums are striving day & night for a better chance at life. They do everything on their own and rely on hope & faith to see them through. Struggles in the hood does NOT mirror struggles in Nigerian slums at all and the two should not be compared. For example, a large # of those in American ghettos receive many governmental support such SSI, TANF, Food Stamp, EBT Cards, free or reduced income housing, free education from elementary (primary) to high school (secondary) and much more. Can those in the slums shown in Ross's video say the same? OF COURSE NOT! Life in the hood and life in the slums are NOT the same & the struggles are quite different.
Keep in mind folks: Rick Ross stayed in a 5 star luxury hotel, wined & dined like a mega star, cruised around in a luxury car with security & enjoyed all the fine things Nigeria had to offer; so it's fatuous, shallow & pathetic of him to shoot a video that doesn't show some of the fine things he enjoyed! It would have been nice & smart of him to feature some of the luxury things he enjoyed in Nigeria instead of featuring just the slum (which he didn't even stay in!). He tweeted pix of the slums & that he bought groceries for children in the slum...well, why didn't he tweet some pix to show his fans the lovely side of Nigeria as well? There are many negative stereotypes about Africa worldwide (a lot of Westerners have the impression that Africans in general are beggars, poor, starving, diseased, etc) and this video reinforces those stereotypes, that's why it's bothersome!
Anyways, there's no need to cry over spilled milk or lose sleep over this video b/c it's not the end of the world. Like I pointed out in my previous post, this should be a wakeup call for Nigerians to start rebuilding the image of their country and the image of its people as well. This video should serve as an example that it is up to the government & citizens of a country to raise their flag high & keep it flying above others. Foreigners will NOT do it for you, so learn your lessons & keep it moving. 1 Love Folks! Reply this thread
Carry on!!!
Belle | 9/25/2012 11:17:35 AM |
WOW, you deserve a ovation for your articulated thought and response. You make sense die so I hail you big time. May God shower you with more wisdom, knowledge and multiple blessings. Big ups!
Ogbodo Elijah | 9/25/2012 12:39:58 PM |
I am personally delighted seeing Rick Ross Video album capturing Nigerian slums in it's full shape. If any government official feels offended, let him or her view it as a wake up call from our slumber and operate on policies dat will improve the conditions of the impoverished Nigerian populace.Rather than picking offence in a simply captured truth.
John Q | 9/25/2012 7:23:53 PM |
Once again, I'm impressed by your comment and the maturity you used to lay out your thoughts. If you are on Facebook please let me know so I can send you a request because I will like to get to know you beyond this site. It gladdens my heart to know that there is someone on this site who is peaceful, intelligent, matured, wise and well rounded. I hope these hungry, spiteful & half brained cowards that fight tirelessly here will emulate you. Big ups!
Mmmmh | 9/25/2012 8:50:00 PM |
You never disappoint with your comments! Like others pointed out, NFC needs more positive energy & intelligent feedback like yours, so keep them coming. I recall you mentioned a while back that you wanted to start a group that will rally our youths so that we can put our heads together and make Nigeria the envy of other nations. Pls lemme know what the 411 regarding that becuz I will love to be a part of your movement. 1 love to you too.
CHIMA CHEKWA | 2/5/2013 3:34:16 PM |
Cannot forget the ghetto. And most people in ghettos in America are happy about the violence or their kids dying or being poor and starving...they are outraged. That's why they are angry or rapping or making music about the issues that a enrage them from the inside and are expressed in violent manner. How can u speak for everyone in the ghettos in thee USA? How many black congressmen and pro football players and doctor is and other successful business men and other influential figures came out of the ghettos in America? ALOT! So that statement is false in it's entirety...and remember there are gangsters in the ghetto that gang bang...drug dealers that drug deal...people that go to school poor and broken and make something of themselves. Different types of people in the good just like anywhere in society. Wealthy white drug dealers, gangsters, criminals exist in suburbian America also. It's just the poor get treated harsher when they do wrong because they are poor.... And the song itself suggests that no one can hold u back...u can make it no matter what...and the ghetto isn't pretty and is the epitome of the bottom and all the struggle and extreme hardships exist...so don't let your situation or circumstances hold u back...go hard and make it...wether you're in the ghettos of Nigeria or the slums in America....that's the purpose of the video and message....I don't see why this isn't obvious to everyone....this song is for those who can relate to it...and a message to the ghetto...the people in it...period
glide | 9/25/2012 10:52:01 AMThere is nothing good about the song i.e lyric and video. These people are not supposed to come to nigeria and pollute it the more. We've had enough of these americans coming and imposing their culture on us. r*****h. Reply this thread
Glide
Taiwo Idowu | 9/26/2012 8:55:38 AM |
Nobody is imposing any culture on anyone.This man is speaking the truth and saying it the way he and millions of other Nigerians sees it.Why are you bent out of shape just because he tells the truth?.He is really bringing this up for the looters to see what they have done or still doing to their citizens.You and millions of Nigerians are cowards to say it(even though i understand the cosequence)but there is no consequence for Rick.He does not live in Nigeria.He is not the only foreingner that say this type of thing about Nigeria.He was just disappointed that Nigeria with all his vast Oil and so many people lives in poverty.No water,lights and good roads.Is this not true?.Stop decieving yourself and put blame where it belongs,your (looters)government that don't give a damn about her Citizens.Another actor from America Chesnut said the same thing.Are they all lying about Nigeria?.Everything i know and say about Naija,the chiken is finally coming home to roost.Until something is done,you think is bad now,it will get worse.You have leaders with no vision only stealing vision.How much money do these b*****ds needs?.I approve of what RR and Rudgeman said.It is the truth but truth is bitter right?.Some Nigerians won't know the truth if it hit them in their face.Lying and stealing at home and abroad is why Nigeria is where she is today.Dishonesty.Think about it.Not all nigerians are dishonest,but majority of them are.
THE BOSS | 9/26/2012 9:58:48 AM |
Don't be f**led by the music video, check out the lyrics and tell me where the honesty and sensibility comes into it.
[Intro] I see how these niggas playin' But I could adapt
[Hook] These niggas won't hold me back These hoes won't hold me back These hoes won't hold me back These niggas won't hold me back These niggas won't hold me back
[Verse 1] I look in my fridge, my s**t lookin' scarce I got a few kids, we need some s**t on the shelf I get a knock at the door, they say my rent overdue And while my niggas sell dope and don't know what else to do The only thing on my mind, I'm tryin' to keep on the lights I call up my slime, I need a kilo tonight Everything whipped well, I'm eatin' steak, no more soup Then I parked the Caprice, I went and bought me a coupe Everything takes time, but this s**t came fast Niggas standin' in line, they wanna hold me back I multiplied my hustle, stimulated my mind Motivated my niggas and we'll never divide, NO!
[Hook]
[Verse 2] First I got me a Taurus, then I copped me a Lexus I took over Florida, my connect out of Texas Then I start sippin' purple, got my s**t screwed When you feedin' your circle, watch your shipments improve Fabricate 'bout your fortune, all my fabric's imported Fornicate in my fortress, 40k still my mortgage 24k my toilet, all my taxes reported All my exes deported, shout-out Texas, New Orleans All these niggas influenced by a hustler's endurance I just bought me the purest, but I need some insurance Niggas watch who you f**kin' just to hate on your b***hes Niggas breakin' the rules, niggas facin' suspension
[Hook]
[Verse 3] Momma workin' three jobs 'til I told her to quit How we rose from the sewers, funny now I'm the s**t Niggas ain't gettin' money, but they got an opinion Had this tech makin' racket, serve you like you were tennis Killers ride for that paycheck, AK, okay, check b***h nigga let's play chess, yo b***h next, no latex These niggas won't hold me back, told the feds they sold me sack Whip 'em right and then come right back Whip-whip-whip 'em right and then come right back
[Hook]
[Outro] p***y ass niggas, p***y ass niggas They all p***y ass niggas, p***y ass niggas Lookin' down on these niggas, p***y ass niggas Pushin' my new Ferrari on these p***y ass niggas p***y ho, p***y ho She a p***y ho until she give me p***y ho p***y ho, p***y ho p***y ho, she a p***y ho
Lalaland's Mother | 9/26/2012 10:47:29 AM |
You no sabi say this site is full of olodo and people with no sense. No waste your time by trying to explain the negative message this song is sending. They just dey watch picture and no bother to capture the vulgarity and tackiness of this song. The lyrics says it all but empty skulls no go understand am b/c they just they shake & pant at the sight of an American celebrity. I hail your comment.
MRS JACOBS | 9/25/2012 2:31:24 PMT his video just told it like it is,heavenly father,we need serious check to do,rather than criticizing rick we should find a way to make our country better so that they wont have anything to talk about,the problem with us we too dey complain. halla to my people lolo,lala,anna,chyoma,my sister chyoma i know you be real ibgo girl,who no like sir warriors.my lala i dey london,enfield precisely,when next you drop from australia halla me.have a wonderfull day Reply this thread
THE BOSS
TONY | 9/26/2012 12:43:08 AMYOU ARE JUST AN INTELLECTUAL. GOD BLESS FOR YOUR WONEDRFUL COMMENT. THIS HAS MADE ME TO REALISE THAT WE STILL HAVE HOT BRAINS IN NIGERIA . YOU ARE BLESSED. Reply this thread
rozzy u r d bomb.....screw M.I
LAKAVELA | 9/26/2012 3:06:17 AMI fink ruggedman add a lot of maturity 2 the whole controversial video......dnt portray us as if all is well......if govt dnt like it.......den they shud wake up n start fixing finz.....kudos rozzy n reggeddy Baba. Reply this thread
Message fr the government
coco | 9/26/2012 3:17:46 AMWe think the white community they dont know nigeria,,,,i mean 70% nigerian living in poverty......they know more than we do.let forget about this video.this is a message fr the government stop stealing 9ja money and charge the bad situation of this country......GOD BLESS NIGERIA Reply this thread
THANKS RUGGEDMAN
DD | 9/26/2012 4:53:07 AMGOD BLESS YOU RUGGEDMAN ! ATLEAST ONE SENSIBLE HUMAN HAS SPOKEN. Reply this thread
M.I
DD | 9/26/2012 4:55:37 AMTHOUGHT M.I WAS EXPOSED/ENLIGHTENED .....COMPLETE DIP STICK. AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. Reply this thread
The Boss
Jane | 9/26/2012 6:00:49 AMHonestly you made no sense. Nobody who is living in the ghetto in America is happy to be there. Every human being on earth desires good life. Shooting a movie in a ghetto does not mean u promote ghetto life. Musicians are only reminding society that all finger are not equal.
Indirectly they are saying, dont forget the people in the ghetto. Afterall, rick does not live in the ghetto. He is only concerned about them-
That people is US ghetto receive food stamps does not make them happier and unambitious. Who on earth wants to be a beggar?
Lalaland's Mother | 9/26/2012 10:50:59 AM |
If the boss's comment no make sense to you, then that's a sign you need to upgrade your thinking faculty. She make sense die and her statement is on point. How is a song that talks about niggas, b*tches, hoes, pussies and so on indirectly saying "don't forget about the ghetto"? You wan argue but u no even get sense...comot for road jare.
Upcoming | 9/26/2012 8:44:05 AM'm badly lukin for sponsorer to help m promote my music talent whic God has bn inspired m since 2000 but til date i never catch money to lay my voice in studio &i have already compose 51 hit track {believe me}, pls&pls, 'm using dis site to plead everyone around the word to over m dis hep before my talent get to waste. Pls u can add m in FB or eskim funso smart, [08134741446 08028393135] 'm in ned of evry one hep pls hep m. Thanks!!!. Reply this thread
SPONSOR ME PLS!!!
Upcoming | 9/26/2012 8:45:46 AM'm badly lukin for sponsorer to help m promote my music talent whic God has bn inspired m since 2000 but til date i never catch money to lay my voice in studio &i have already compose 51 hit track {believe me}, pls&pls, 'm using dis site to plead everyone around the word to over m dis hep before my talent get to waste. Pls u can add m in FB or eskim funso smart, [08134741446 08028393135] 'm in ned of evry one hep pls hep m. Thanks!!!. Reply this thread
nigga, hold back, i see p***y
bia bia | 9/26/2012 12:56:56 PMPSQUARE na una sold Biafran video 4 dis fat pig? Reply this thread
Hell yea...
SLIDE | 9/28/2012 2:07:14 PMHell f**kin yea....Ma nigga Rozayy. This s**t is better than all these lame ass Yoruba singer cracker cracker bulls**t y'all be singing. f**k all these lame p***y ass niggas...talking smack....Shout out to ma Nigga Ross....Miami is in the blgd.... Reply this thread
A true facts
Seunpaul | 9/29/2012 8:35:39 AMLets us all reasn maturely. Wat dis video potray is a great message 2 our governmnt. Rick came to Nigeria to hlp cal on our governmnt nd show dem d wrngs dey ar doin. Its brave 4 him to do so. If e came to nigeria nd shot vid in d bettr part of nigeria den we shud knw dat, dat we mk our govrnment happy nd dey wil feel as if d foreiners ar seein goods in our country, so, wen we rise nd tlk dey (government) wil fel dey ar doin wel nd luk down on us(nigerians). Truth is always bitter... Rick has done d right tin wch i tink shud b a long loud bell to wake our governmnt up. Moreso if d gays in nigeria gettos ar gettn wat dos in america gettos had as support frm government den dey would stl b happy nd pray for continuety. Rick sees d best plc in nigeria n e knw d percentg of it is low...the masses ar suffering.... It is not a pollute nor a bad humiliation. But a true facts wch amends shud b mk for. If u (our government) feel disgrce den rise n clean it so as to avert d worst dat is comin Reply this thread
Rugged man is RIGHT!!!
Emmy | 10/1/2012 10:01:40 AMAm a nigerian and I live in Miami Florida ,same place as Rickey rossay and trust when I say we have ugly sights here too.homeless niggas with no jobs,mothers with many kids and no child support .the ugly sight of poverty is everywhere my people so get the MESSAGE not the PICTURE. Plus,the message is so TRUE Reply this thread
A BALANCED COMMENT BY RUGGEDY
OSHI | 10/6/2012 3:40:34 AMI see Rugged Man's comment as a balanced comment and not been biased... Reply this thread
nice one ruggedman
kazeone | 10/8/2012 11:47:49 PMInfact am happy for what ruggedman said, its exactly what's on my mind, am speechless, thankx ruggedy baba Reply this thread
ross
ugoeze | 10/17/2012 10:51:02 AMrugged baba just dnt mind them...maybe they dnt knw wot to do...na dem bring ross to nija still carrym go show our bad hood ..still they are talkin Reply this thread
rick ross
mcrabel | 10/20/2012 2:26:51 AMdont talk to ricky rozzay in dat manner...talk to ur govt.....it happened during the time of eedris abdulkareem u all where silent ,,now u all want to cough nigerian,s we re all back stabber's...rugged man u live in miammi florida with ricky rossay ,,and they have bad hood there wat re u wating for do ur own music re u not a musician rugged man u bragg too much dat is why we preffere eedris abdulkareem,,,,,,,rugged man 10years in music industry 2 album ,,,do ur own for miammi make we see,,,d beef is there already........eedris abdulkareem u too much. Reply this thread
tSGtlmDtmhzsMwsqJD
Nicolas | 10/23/2012 10:58:15 AMYou know something SD, each time I read your posts here, I want to rant and rave about all the thgnis that are wrong with our potentially great nation Nigeria, but I'm always restrained by the phrase 'do remain civil', I try, but now, it seems you goad me with this latest post. I will try to remain civil... I'm one of those people who enjoy long dialogues centred on the problems with our country and how to fix them. I am, come to think of it, passionate about Nigeria, each time I travel and step back into my country again, I ask myself- WHAT is wrong with us? Clearly something is wrong, with all the apparent makings of greatness we seem unable to break the jinx. I ask when did this backward slide begin, pre or post 'independence'? I had an 80's childhood. Though too young to understand it at the time now I am certain that, that air of hope and anticipation of a bright future for our country which prevailed in the 70's and a part of the 80's is no longer there. Now there is almost a pervalent sense of resignation. Most people are simply waiting for their own opportunities to better their own lives. Speak National pride to a group of young bright people who've been humiliated for carrying a green passport and pray you don't get mobbed. Now the psyche, values and mind-set of Nigerians is so removed from pride and now boarders on selfishness. It's all about me, here and now. No thought for the future, no thought for Nigeria's fate tomorrow. Truth is, I see a glimmer of hope though in the young people though. It's like we are all aware of the thgnis that have gone terribly wrong, no one has a definite answer to the question - where did it all begin? But we know they are there, whether we are ready to work on changing what is fast becoming a culture, as it is reflected in the way we drive, the way we talk, everytime you bribe a policeman, dirty cover-up of dirty crimes, trading sexual relations for grades in the universities and a host of thgnis the system just doesn't take care of automatically, is another matter all together. Are we ready to stand our grounds, go to jail or die just so our children and their children will be able to hold their heads high wherever they go on the globe. Food for thought - A friend defined Nigerians as a group of people who when pushed to the wall, will burrow in and come out at the other side! Reply this thread
simple message
kelvin | 10/29/2012 2:48:28 AMSha out to ricky, all dat i***ts dat dnt knw were Nigeria is comin frm or goin to r talkin trash. Simple message. Sum ppl dnt get it . Is Nigeria our Country a gud country? Dnt u see oda countries? Instead of u to be happy for d message to our gov u r here talkin rubish. Una need to upgrade Reply this thread
