Eedris Abdulkareem claims credit for being the catalyst behind the global recognition of Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and other Nigerian musicians.
He attributes the international appreciation to his 2004 protest against the mistreatment of Nigerian artists by concert promoters, which included a confrontation with American rapper 50 Cent and his G-Unit associates in Nigeria.
While acknowledging that his protest had consequences for his own career, Abdulkareem expressed that it was a worthwhile sacrifice that paved the way for the emergence of artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido.
This statement was made during an interview with The Honest Bunch Podcast.
He 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 stupid 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.”