How Eedris Abdulkareem became the first African Rapper to make international news

How Eedris Abdulkareem became the first African Rapper to make international news

Eedris Abdulkareem became the first African Rapper to make international news for his clash with 50 Cent in Nigeria in 2004.

 

50 cent wanted the airline seat he was sitting on, saying it was his. He refused, then security removed him.

Eedris came back with men. The flight was halted.

 

The problem was caused by the organizers of the Event that booked 1st class seats for 50 Cent and his crew but booked economy for the Nigerian musicians. They were also kept waiting onboard for almost 2 hours before 50 Cent showed up.

50 cent threaten Eedris not to visit America but they later settled years after and became friends.

 

In 2004, Eedris Abdulkareem. released a conscious song to pass message to the president, song titled Nigeria Jaga Jaga, which means Nigeria is disorganised.

Nigeria’s then President Obasanjo criticised him for releasing the song.

It was banned from radio. He criticised him again in 2012. Eedris dropped a diss track….

 

Eedris’ action was apparently borne out of the poor manner in which local artists were treated; foreign stars were invited to perform in Nigeria. After this incident, there were improvements, and local stars started getting co-headline status alongside invited foreign stars after that – but Eedris Abdul Kareem paid the ultimate price as big brands blocklisted him.

Eedris would later apologise to 50Cents in 2007 at the Kora Awards.

__________________________ Join us on WhatsApp ______________________________

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *