Even with lockdown, artistes should be collecting royalties – Ruggedman

Popular rapper, Michael Stephens, better known as Ruggedman, has said that not being able to perform at shows is taking a toll on entertainers.

Ruggedy Baba, as he is fondly called by his fans, told Saturday Beats that artistes were now paying attention to making money from their digital assets. He said, “Not being able to perform at shows is taking a toll (on entertainers) and I believe it will get even worse. People are now paying attention to what we (Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria and Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria) had been talking about for a long time, which is getting entertainers to register for PMAN and MCSN, so they can get their royalties. Entertainers are paying more attention now. If we cannot perform at live events, we should be making money from the music we have out there.”

Explaining how he was able to cope during the lockdown declared across the country to curb the spread of COVID-19, the ‘Baraje’ rapper said, “I managed to make it back to Nigeria in March, a day before airports in the country were closed. I am used to ‘self-isolation’ because I hardly go out unless I have something to do. If it’s a meeting I really don’t have to be at, my manager or somebody in my management team could attend on my behalf. I am mostly at home if I don’t have anywhere serious to go. I always make sure I have everything I need in the house, especially in my bedroom. I am used to staying at home.”