Nigerian rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem has claimed that he laid the foundation for Afrobeats stars, Davido, Burna Boy and Wizkid to become successful in the music industry.
He said the reason Nigerian artistes are now appreciated around the world is because of his 2004 rebellion against concert promoters’ mistreatment of the country’s entertainers, during which his historic fight with 50 Cent occurred.
Eedris, who spoke in an episode of The Honest Bunch podcast, stressed that he was the driving force behind the revolution that brought international recognition and acceptance.
He said his revolt which negatively affected his career, “was a beautiful sacrifice that gave birth to Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido” and other stars.
The rapper said; “You heard someone like Burna Boy said nobody helped him in Nigeria. Would you have been a star without some people starting the revolution? That is a stvpid talk. You wouldn’t have been where you are if we didn’t make this industry what it is; if we didn’t fight for it. Unfortunately, most of them don’t appreciate it. And I don’t give a dime.
“It [fighting for Nigerian music industry] affected my career but it was a beautiful sacrifice that gave birth to Davido, Boy, Wizkid, and everybody today. For me, what’s more important is that I have done what God asked me to do and our music is now allover the world. I have opened the road for them. It’s their responsibility to appreciate the fight. And if them don’t, I don’t give a dime.”
