Eedris Abdulkareem

Born Eedris Turayo Abdulkareem Ajenifuja to a polygamous family[1] in Kano, Nigeria, his father was from Ilesha, Osun State, and his mother was from Ogun State. Raised in Kano, he adopted Kano State as his state of origin. He lost his father when he was 2 and 8 of his brothers.[2]

Eedris Abdulkareem
Eedris Abdulkareem at the endSARS protest in Lagos, Nigeria
Background information
Birth nameEedris Turayo Abdulkareem Ajenifuja
OriginKano State, Nigeria
GenresR&B, African hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper
Years active1996–present
LabelsKennis Music (? – 2005)
La Kreem Music (2005 – Present)

Eedris Abdulkareem is a Nigerian hip hop singer.

Career

Abdulkareem performed with hip-hop band The Remedies from 1997 until they split in 2002. He continued as a solo artist and released the album P.A.S.S. ("Pains And Stress = Success") in 2002.[3] Its track "Wackawickee MC's" criticized Tony Tetuila, Plantashun Boiz and Double X Posse. Later in the same year, he released an album titled Mr. Lecturer. Its title track thematised students in Nigerian colleges and universities receiving higher grades in exchange for money and sex.[3]

In 2004, Abdulkareem released his third album "Jaga Jaga", a Yoruba term for a shambles,[4] declaiming corruption and suffering in Nigeria. The title track was banned from radio by President Olusegun Obasanjo, but continued to be played in nightclubs.[5] The album cover was by artist Lemi Ghariokwu, known for creating many album covers for Fela Kuti.

In November 2005, Abdulkareem launched his own record label, La Kreem Music and released his fourth album, Letter to Mr. President. The album's title track addressed Obasanjo's criticisms of "Jaga Jaga"; the album also featured "Flash Up Unu Lighter", a tribute to Obasanjo's wife, Stella, who died while undergoing surgery in Spain, and the victims of the Bellview Airlines crash of October 2005.[6]

He released a sequel to "Jaga Jaga" in January 2012 during the Occupy Nigeria protest against lifting of fuel subsidies.

He has also performed on tracks by other artists including "Bad Guy Baller" featuring Mode 9 and VTEK and a track by Oba Mmega.[7]

Personal life

Abdulkareem married Yetunde in 2004. In 2019, the singer took to his social media page to announce the arrival of their new baby. Together, the couple have had two girls and a boy.[8]

Other activities

In 2000 Abdulkareem was among the personalities voted for by the Nigerian public to carry the Olympic torch in a relay through the country.[9]

Discography

Studio albums
  • P.A.S.S (2002)
  • Mr. Lecturer (2002)
  • Jaga Jaga (2004)
  • Letter to Mr. President (2005)
  • King Is Back (2007)
  • Unfinished Business (2010)
  • Nothing But The Truth (2020)

Singles
  • " Jaga Jaga part 2 (2012) single
  • " Wonkere ft Fatai rolling dollar (2011) single
  • " Sekere ft Vector (2013) single
  • " Fela ft Femi Kuti (2013) single
  • "I Go Whoze You ft Vtek (2013) single
  • " Trouble Dey Sleep ft Konga (2016) single

References
  1. Peace or War: An Interview with Eedris Abdulkareem
  2. Youtube Interview
  3. "I've been vindicated again because Nigeria is still jaga jaga - Eedris Abdulkareem". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  4. "Nigeria and the Jaga Jaga Prophecy". The Tide. The Tide Newspaper Corporation. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  5. Osunbor, Sarah (31 August 2012). "Obasanjo still fighting Eedris over Nigeria jaga jaga". Naija Center News. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  6. "Obasanjo is my mugu- Eedris Abdulkareem". 3 September 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  7. "'Buhari Is Nigeria's Most Successful Fraudster In History', Eedris spits fire!". Daily Advent Nigeria. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  8. Oluwafunmilayo, Akinpelu (27 December 2018). "New photos of singer Eedris Abdulkareem's adorable kids surface online". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  9. Odumade, Omotolani (8 August 2016). "Nigerian celebrities who have carried the Olympic Torch". Pulse NG. Ringier Nigeria. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.