Obasanjo's 'insult' made me a superstar -Eedris abdulkareem

Controversies and scandals aside, Afro Hip Hop artiste,
Eedris Abdulkareem, is happy that he chose the path of
music, writes
JAYNE AUGOYE
Anytime his name is mentioned in a gathering, many
incidents readily come to mind. For some people it is his
scuffle with American rapper, 50 Cents, during his visit to
Nigeria, in 2004. Others may choose to remember his
numerous swipes at colleagues in his songs.
However, beyond the many controversies that have dogged
his career over the years, Eedris Abdulkareem, was once a
professional table tennis player and journalist.
Recalling some of his exploits with a wide grin, the rapper
says, "Back then, my passion was journalism, sports and
music. As a hustler, you do everything but the most
important thing is to get some form of education. I had a
stint in journalism in Kano State with the Daily Times at
the time, but I left because I wasn't really passionate about
it. More so, I was young and I thought it would not fetch
me money.
At age 15, I represented Kano State as a table tennis player.
I was also part of the Nigerian Table Tennis contingent to
the All Africa Games in 1985, which took place in Kenya,
with the likes of Funke Oshinaike, Atunda Musa and the
late Yomi Bankole."
The Bayero University, Mass Communication graduate says,
"God told me emphatically that my calling was music
because he wants me to use it to speak for the voiceless.
He said, 'Eedris, leave Kano, you are going to go to Lagos
to do music, you would go through a lot but you will make
it nonetheless. As soon as you have the opportunity to speak
on the microphone, use it to talk about the ills in the society
like sexual harassment, politics, embezzlement and
illiteracy. Also, I was interested in music because my
mother raised 10 children and lost seven of them. It made
me a very conscious boy at a tender age because of that."
Looking back, the artiste, who has been in the game for two
decades, says he is glad that he yielded to the call.
"I would have made more money from music if I sing
praises. But if you are a public officer who is accountable, I
will definitely praise you. With music, I have met all my
needs and gained international recognition. I have the
authority to walk up to any governor's door and get instant
recognition. They will say, "Ah, Eedris Abdulkareem,
Obasanjo's friend, Jaga jaga". It has opened many doors for
me and I don't have to sell my soul to the devil or become a
member of illuminati to be successful," he says amid
laughter.
When asked to comment on the high point of his career, his
face lights up in a smile
"The best to ever happen to me was former President
Olusegun Obasanjo talking back at me, calling me a mere
street boy whose father is not known. The president took
me to the next level, I became a super star, and now people
know me, because Obasanjo put me in his level."
As if these achievements are not enough, the rapper, who
has been running an independent label, La Kreem Records,
since 2004, is happy because he has succeeded in keeping
the home front intact in spite of controversies.
"I love my family and wife so much that I don't joke with
them. I have been married for 13 years, though they
thought it would last three months. I proved to them that it
is possible to be a family man and artiste at the same time. I
am an inspiration to other married celebrities," he boasts.
Things can only get better, as far as Eedris is concerned.
With a sixth album due in November, the Osun State native,
who says he has a few friends in the industry, tries to clear a
few issues off his chest.
"I don't need endorsements, but I am cool with the shows
that Mike Adenuga has been giving me. Shows are enough
for me. I will endorse my own product which I am putting
together. I need more shows because they pay my bills. If I
tell you I want endorsements you may think that most of the
things I sing about are for endorsement. I don't want it, but
I do it for other Nigerian artistes so they can live big. But if
you must endorse, choose people that will add value to your
life.
Endorsement is the best thing that has ever happened to
Nigeria. My only grouse is that abroad, endorsed artistes
add value to other people's lives. Here in Nigeria, it is the
opposite," he says.
Punch