Eedris Abdulkareem
Encyclopedia
Eedris Abdulkareem, born Eedris Turayo Abdulkareem Ajenifuja, is a Nigerian hip hop artist.
Born to a polygamous family in Kano
, Nigeria
, his father was from Ijesha
, Osun State
, and his mother was from Ogun State
. Raised in Kano, he adopted Kano State
as his state of origin. His father resides in Lagos
, while his mother continues to reside in Kano. According to interviews, his decision to drop his patronymic surname has nothing to do with dislike for his father, but merely reflects his fondness for the name "Eedris Abdulkareem." His name, Abdulkareem, means "Slave of the generous God".
, and it was received well by Hip-Hop fans and Music Pundits alike, and it had tracks like So Ligali featuring Pasuma Wonder, come Back Home, and The first ever diss song by a Nigerian Rapper Wackawickee MC's , where he took shots at Tony Tetuila, The Plantashun Boyz and Ruff Rugged and Raw.also Released the same year (and also on Kennis Music Imprint ), was the album titled Mr. Lecturer and this featured Abdulkareem's first video hit, the album's title track, which addressed the problem of students using money and sex to solicit higher grades in Nigerian colleges and universities, as well as Male lecturers exploiting female students and requesting sex and money in exchange for good grades.This album further increased Eedris abdulkareems popularity, and is cited in some quarters as the Best album which Eedris Abdulkareem ever released, as well as his highest selling album.
In 2004, Abdulkareem's third album, Jaga Jaga, appeared on Kennis. Its title track, which laments the corruption and suffering in Nigeria, was banned from radio airplay by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in a televised address, although it continued to be played in nightclubs. The album dropped to critical acclaim, and the cover of the album was designed by the great Ghariokwu Lemi, who designed Most of Fela Kutis Classic album covers.Also in 2004, Abdulkareem came to international attention as a result of a scuffle with American rapper 50 Cent
on board an airplane at Murtala Mohammed International Airport
in Lagos. By all accounts, Abdulkareem had tried to occupy 50 Cent's seat, resulting in a fight between Abdulkareem, his friends, and 50 Cent's bodyguards. One of Abdulkareem's associates was hospitalised as a result, and 50 Cent returned to the United States, refusing to appear at a scheduled concert in Port Harcourt.
Recently, he left Nigeria and went to Brazil where he met his bride. Now he's with 2 sons living on São Paulo, Brazil. His sons are Lucas and Thiago (MC Cremado)
In November 2005, Abdulkareem launched his own record label, La Kreem Music, and released his fourth album, Letter to Mr. President. The album's title track addressed Obasanjo's criticisms of "Jaga Jaga"; the album also featured "Flash Up Unu Lighter", a tribute to Obasanjo's wife, Stella
, who died while undergoing surgery in Spain, and the victims of the Bellview Airlines
crash of October 2005.
Abdulkareem is also the founder of the Eedris Abdulkareem Foundation, a fundraising organization dedicated to fighting the spread of HIV
and AIDS
in Sub-Saharan Africa
in conjunction with the Pat Utomi Foundation.
Born to a polygamous family in Kano
Kano
Kano is a city in Nigeria and the capital of Kano State in Northern Nigeria. Its metropolitan population is the second largest in Nigeria after Lagos. The Kano Urban area covers 137 sq.km and comprises six Local Government Area - Kano Municipal, Fagge, Dala, Gwale, Tarauni and Nassarawa - with a...
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, his father was from Ijesha
Ijesha
The Ijesha , are a sub-ethnic of the Yoruba. This group is predominantly from the city and environs of Ilesha and the historic state of Ilesha in the same area....
, Osun State
Osun State
Ọṣun State is an inland state in south-western Nigeria. Its capital is Osogbo. It is bounded in the north by Kwara State, in the east partly by Ekiti State and partly by Ondo State, in the south by Ogun State and in the west by Oyo State. The state's current governor is Rauf Aregbesola, who was...
, and his mother was from Ogun State
Ogun State
Ogun State is a state in South-western Nigeria. It borders Lagos State to the South, Oyo and Osun states to the North, Ondo State to the east and the republic of Benin to the west. Abeokuta is the capital and largest city in the state...
. Raised in Kano, he adopted Kano State
Kano State
Kano State is a state located in North-Western Nigeria. Created on May 27, 1967 from part of the Northern Region, Kano state borders Katsina State to the north-west, Jigawa State to the north-east, Bauchi State to the south-east and Kaduna State to the south-west...
as his state of origin. His father resides in Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
, while his mother continues to reside in Kano. According to interviews, his decision to drop his patronymic surname has nothing to do with dislike for his father, but merely reflects his fondness for the name "Eedris Abdulkareem." His name, Abdulkareem, means "Slave of the generous God".
Solo career
Having left the Remedies Amicably Abdulkareem's solo debut album, P.A.S.S. ("Pains And Stress = Success") was released in 2002 on Kennis MusicKennis Music
Kennis Music is a record label, specializing in R&B, pop and hip-hop music, founded by popular Nigerian radio DJ Kenny Ogungbe in the late 1990s. The company's slogan is "Africa's No 1 Record Label"...
, and it was received well by Hip-Hop fans and Music Pundits alike, and it had tracks like So Ligali featuring Pasuma Wonder, come Back Home, and The first ever diss song by a Nigerian Rapper Wackawickee MC's , where he took shots at Tony Tetuila, The Plantashun Boyz and Ruff Rugged and Raw.also Released the same year (and also on Kennis Music Imprint ), was the album titled Mr. Lecturer and this featured Abdulkareem's first video hit, the album's title track, which addressed the problem of students using money and sex to solicit higher grades in Nigerian colleges and universities, as well as Male lecturers exploiting female students and requesting sex and money in exchange for good grades.This album further increased Eedris abdulkareems popularity, and is cited in some quarters as the Best album which Eedris Abdulkareem ever released, as well as his highest selling album.
In 2004, Abdulkareem's third album, Jaga Jaga, appeared on Kennis. Its title track, which laments the corruption and suffering in Nigeria, was banned from radio airplay by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in a televised address, although it continued to be played in nightclubs. The album dropped to critical acclaim, and the cover of the album was designed by the great Ghariokwu Lemi, who designed Most of Fela Kutis Classic album covers.Also in 2004, Abdulkareem came to international attention as a result of a scuffle with American rapper 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
on board an airplane at Murtala Mohammed International Airport
Murtala Mohammed International Airport
Murtala Muhammed International Airport is an international airport located in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, and is the major airport serving the city of Lagos, southwestern Nigeria and the entire nation. Originally known as Lagos International Airport, it was renamed midway during construction...
in Lagos. By all accounts, Abdulkareem had tried to occupy 50 Cent's seat, resulting in a fight between Abdulkareem, his friends, and 50 Cent's bodyguards. One of Abdulkareem's associates was hospitalised as a result, and 50 Cent returned to the United States, refusing to appear at a scheduled concert in Port Harcourt.
Recently, he left Nigeria and went to Brazil where he met his bride. Now he's with 2 sons living on São Paulo, Brazil. His sons are Lucas and Thiago (MC Cremado)
In November 2005, Abdulkareem launched his own record label, La Kreem Music, and released his fourth album, Letter to Mr. President. The album's title track addressed Obasanjo's criticisms of "Jaga Jaga"; the album also featured "Flash Up Unu Lighter", a tribute to Obasanjo's wife, Stella
Stella Obasanjo
Stella Obasanjo was the First Lady of Nigeria from 1999 until her death. She was the wife of former president Olusegun Obasanjo. She was not the First Lady in 1976, when Obasanjo was military head of state...
, who died while undergoing surgery in Spain, and the victims of the Bellview Airlines
Bellview Airlines (Nigeria)
Bellview Airlines was an airline headquartered at Bellview Plaza in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. Founded in 1992 and having had 308 employees, it operated scheduled passenger flights within Africa as well as to London out of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos...
crash of October 2005.
Abdulkareem is also the founder of the Eedris Abdulkareem Foundation, a fundraising organization dedicated to fighting the spread of HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
and AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
in conjunction with the Pat Utomi Foundation.
Discography
| Album Information |
|---|
P.A.S.S
|
| Mr. Lecturer
|
| Jaga Jaga
|
| Letter to Mr. President
|