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Eedris Abdulkareem Biography: Career, Family, Controversies, Awards, and Net Worth

Eedris Turayo Abdulkareem Ajenifuja, better known by his stage name Eedris Abulkareem, was born into a polygamous household in Kano state, Nigeria, and is a gifted Nigerian hip hop musician, songwriter, stage performer, recording artist, rapper, composer, and professional vocalist.

Early Life and Education

Eedris Abdulkareem was born to a polygamous household in Kano State on December 24, 1974. He was raised in Ilesha, Osun State, which is in the southwest of Nigeria, and received his primary, secondary, and postsecondary education there.

He attended Army Day Secondary School in Kano, where he earned his West African Senior School Certificate before continuing on to complete his undergraduate studies.

Career

Eedris Abdulkareem began rapping while still in school, but he rose to prominence in 1996 after joining and performing in a hip hop group called “remedies” with people like Tony Tetuilla, the “golden father” of Nigerian Afrobeats artists, and Eddy Montana, before the group disbanded so that each member could pursue a solo career.

He was motivated by the high level of corruption in Nigeria to rap in Pidgin English, especially criticizing the leadership structure of the Nigerian government. Along with other notable individuals, such as Dora Akunyili, Pat Utomi, and millions of Nigerians, Eedris AbdulKareem was chosen to represent Nigeria by carrying the Olympic torch in 2000.

Other well-known Nigerian musicians, like as Tony Tetuila, Plantashun Boiz, and Double X Posse, have criticized and denounced his hit song track from his debut album, “Wackawickee MC’s.” He and 2face Idibia were both signed to Kennis Records, and he released his first solo album, “Pain and Stress = Success” (P.A.S.S. ), on the Kennis Music label. It was well received by other seasoned musicians, and he then spiced it up with another album, “Mr. Lecturer,” whose lyrics focused solely on the struggles faced by female Nigerian students at various universities, polytechnics, and colleges where the lecturers demand money or sexual approval in exchange for recommended grades.

The record “Jaga Jaga,” which Eedris Abdulkareem later published in 2004, was much more controversial and contentious than his other albums. The song Jaga Jaga, which is Yoruba meaning “shambles,” was released to widespread critical acclaim and centers on Nigerians’ hardship and corruption. Even though Olusegun Obasanjo, the president at the time, outlawed the song on radio and television, it was nevertheless played in nightclubs. The legendary Ghariokwu Lemi, who created the majority of Fela Kuti’s classic album covers, created the “Jaga Jaga” album covers.

Eedris Abdulkareem launched his own record company, Lakreem Music, in November 2005 and released his fourth album, “Letter to Mr. President,” which responded to Obasanjo’s critiques of the album “Jaga Jaga.” Flash Up, Unu Lighter and a homage to Obasanjo’s wife Stella Obasanjo are also included in the album. A few weeks before her birthday and the victims of the “Bellview Airlines tragedy,” she underwent cosmetic surgery in Marbella, Spain, including a belly tuck. She passed away on October 8, 2005.

In 2007, he released the album “King is Back,” which is centered on his struggles with Obasanjo’s government and business associates as well as concert promoters who disregard him for speaking out for the truth in the song “koleyewon,” as well as other songs. In 2010, he released “Unfinished Business.” He was able to release “nothing but the truth” in 2020, and since 1996, he has been able to release seven albums.

Personal Life

Eedris Abdulkareem is a Muslim, and he has expressed his strong belief in both his Quran and what Allah teaches. His mother was from Ogun State, while his father was from Ilesha, both in the southwest of Nigeria. He had eight brothers. His father passed away when he was just 2.

After a brief courtship, Eedris Abdulkareem wed Yetunde in 2004, and the couple is now blessed with three kids: Tolani, Titomi, and Abdulrahim (two girls and a boy).

The veteran Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem was diagnosed with kidney failure on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, and has been undergoing dialysis ever since in a hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, after his wife Yetunde graciously agreed to be his donor on August 22, 2022.

Controversy

Eedris Abdulkareem first came to the attention of the world in 2004 after getting into a brief argument with American rapper 50 Cents on a plane at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The argument started when Abdulkareem purposefully attempted to sit in the exact seat that was designated for 50 Cents, insisting that was where he was going to sit. This led to a fight between Abdulkareem, his friends, and 50 Cents’ bodyguard. As a result, one of Abdulkareem’s friends was admitted to the hospital, and 50 Cent left for America after declining to take part in a show in Port Harcourt.

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

  • Wonkere feat. Fatai Rolling Dollar (2011)
  • Dance With You(2011)
  • Seriki Kano(2012)
  • Baba(2012)
  • Jaga Jaga part 2 (2006)
  • I Go Whoze You ft Vtek (2013)
  • Trouble Dey Sleep ft Konga (2016)
  • Country Hard ft Sound Sultan(2020)
  • Say No To Southern Kaduna Killings(2020)
  • Egunje ft Samklef(2020)
  • Trouble Dey Sleep(2020)
  • Jaga Jaga Reloaded (2021)
  • Free Naija(2021)
  • No Forget ft AB1(2021)
  • Oti Get E (2021)
  • Aluta Continua(2022)

Awards and Nominations

Eedris Abdulkareem has won various awards, which are;

  • The City People movie special recognition award on the 24th of July, 2016.
  • The headies’ special recognition award in 2021
  • City people music throwback hall of fame award in 2018

 Eedris Abdulkareem Net Worth

Eedris Abdukareem is one of the most influential artists in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of approximately $1 million.

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