Weird MC, aka Da Rappatainer, is Africa's First Lady of hip hop.

She divides her time between London, England and Lagos, Nigeria, and her music reflects that: it's a hybrid of hip hop/afrobeat/R & B and more! In other words her style mixes the hard urban style of London with African rhythms and melodies.

Weird MC was born in London and grew up partly there and partly in Lagos so she identifies with, and has been influenced by, the music of both places. She says her main musical influences are Fela Kuti, Lauryn Hill, Miriam Makeba, Jimi Hendrix and others.

On stage Weird MC has performed with Femi Kuti, Tony Allen and Lágbájá and has toured extensively, including being a major attraction at WOMEX and at the All Africa Games in Nigeria in 2003. She is very well known in Nigeria and is part and parcel of the Afrobeat and hip hop scene in London, regularly performing at venues such as Cargo in London. She is equally at home with her own band or with a smaller crew and DJ.

Concerning Weird MC's specific songs, these include the smash hit 'Allen Avenue', the anthemic 'African Woman', 'Ijoya' (meaning 'Time to Dance' in Yoruba), 'Palava' and 'What are you waiting for?'.

Weird MC not only is a lyricist and performer, she is a programmer and producer having taken music technology and music production courses in London.

Finally, how did she come to be called Weird MC? She used to be in a 6-member group called the Weirdoes so she took out the 'o' and added MC: hers is a name and a sound that definitely turns heads!

Michael Ugochukwu Stephens a.k.a RuggedMan was born on the 20th of September in Ebem Ohafia, Abia state.

A graduate of Political Science Lagos State University Ojo, he started loving rap music from around 1989 when he learned the words in rap tracks that he liked and rapping along to their instrumentals.

RUGGEDMAN is a no-nonsense, speak-my-mind type of nigga that stands up for the improvement and promotion of good Nigerian music.

The name came when he was in high school and fresh into the rap game proper. Every one wanted a name that didn’t sound weak and Ruggedman was the one he came up with, that was after he thought Rugged Soul was a bit too deep and the tag 'Mc' a bit over flogged.

His early influences came from NWA, KRS One, Poor Righteous Teachers, Leaders Of The New School, King Sun… etc. Now they are Nas, DMX, Eminem, Dr. Dre and especially all the wack rappers in Nigeria.

Ruggedman's very first performance was at a secondary school ceremony in 1992. From then on it's been performances in clubs and tertiary institutions. Other places of performance are: Mr. Macho - University Of Lagos (UNILAG) - 1994; Nigerian Carnival - National Stadium - 1994; Home movie soundtracks; Lyricist Lounge - held at club 11:45 for the Rap Legend Guru from America, Eve and Kc & Jojo - show (performed alongside Tony Tetuila).

He also directed his first music video in 2002, which was D’Banj’s “Kiss me again video”. He has also performed at the national stadium for the Coja All African Games; and have also performed alongside Dance hall sensation Sean Paul.

"I am the most featured rap artist in Nigeria and the hottest out right now." he says.

He's been on almost every newspaper, and the radio and tv stations love him being in their studio because he drives a high traffic of fan participation.

His video, Peace Or War is said by him to be the best video ever done by a Nigerian and was number one for two and a half months on MBI top ten video count down.

Ruggedman won the Nigerian Fanta Fame Award for best new rap act/group or duo 2003 on the 31st of October. He also added to that, three awards at the Gbedu music awards for Rap Artist of the Year, Best Video of the Year, and Song of the Year.

He is one of the most featured Nigerian rapper, having rapped on over 20 tracks for people.

He has featured with Tony Tetuila (2 Tracks on his latest album), Paul Play Dairo, Tony Tonnero, Lexzy Doo - formerly of the group X-Appeal, Sabina Jabari, D’Banj’, Segun Fakeye (Gospel), P-Flow (Gospel), Niyi (Gospel), Shawa, Chi Chi, Artquake, Nutty Pin, OJB Jezreel, Magnum (London based rapper), George Nathaniel, Slam, Mr. Kool.

Ruggedman has also worked with producers such as Paul Play Dairo, Omololu, Ojb, Jezreel, Freestyle and Xaviar.

Since they came to limelight in 2002 as winners of Star Quest sponsored by STAR they have not relented in churning out hit after hit.

The duo of Kingsley Okonkwo (KC) and Precious John (Presh) just released their third album entitled "No Time: Everything Sengemenge" under their independent label KP Records.

Their career has been on an upward swing.