Eldee
Encyclopedia
Lanre Dabiri, better known by his stage name Eldee, stylized as eLDee, is a Nigerian American
rapper
, record producer
and architect
. "Lanre" is a diminutive for the Yoruba
name "Olanrewaju" (meaning "My wealth is the future"). eLDee studied Architecture
at the University of Lagos
, Nigeria. He is an original member of the band Trybesmen
, which was started in 1998 with rappers KB and Freestyle. He has been based in Atlanta, USA since 2002.
He hails from Lagos Island in Lagos State of Nigeria
His songs include “I go yarn”, “Champion”, “African Chiquito” and “Bosi Gbangba”. eLDee has produced and directed numerous videos both for Nigerian and international artists.
eLDee came up with a collaboration of all the artists on the record label and named them Da Trybe. They produced singles "Work it out" and "Oya" in 2002, and the album BIG Picture in 2005.
Nigerian American
Nigerian Americans are citizens of the United States of America who are or descend from immigrants from Nigeria. Since the late 1960s and early 1970s, approximately one million Nigerians have immigrated in to the United States....
rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
, record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. "Lanre" is a diminutive for the Yoruba
Yoruba people
The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language...
name "Olanrewaju" (meaning "My wealth is the future"). eLDee studied Architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
at the University of Lagos
University of Lagos
The University of Lagos - popularly known as Unilag - is a federal government university with a main campus located at Akoka, Yaba and a college of medicine located at Idi-Araba, all in Lagos, Lagos State, southern Nigeria...
, Nigeria. He is an original member of the band Trybesmen
Trybesmen
Trybesmen is an African hip-hop group from Lagos, Nigeria. The Nigerian newspaper NEXT describes them as "one of the pioneers of hip hop in Nigeria" and the BBC called the group "legendary" in 2005....
, which was started in 1998 with rappers KB and Freestyle. He has been based in Atlanta, USA since 2002.
He hails from Lagos Island in Lagos State of Nigeria
Solo recordings
After moving to the United States in 2002, eLDee recorded a solo album titled Long Time Coming and followed up with Return of the King in 2006. The latter album earned various nominations and awards for both videos and songs, including the Nigerian Entertainment Award for “Best International Album”.His songs include “I go yarn”, “Champion”, “African Chiquito” and “Bosi Gbangba”. eLDee has produced and directed numerous videos both for Nigerian and international artists.
Trybe Records
Trybe Records developed artists such as Sasha, who won the Kora’s Most Promising Artist Award in 2004, 2Shots, Trybesmen, eLDee, Lequse, olaDele, Timi, Proto and Sid, who is now a member of the Mo-hits Records label.eLDee came up with a collaboration of all the artists on the record label and named them Da Trybe. They produced singles "Work it out" and "Oya" in 2002, and the album BIG Picture in 2005.
Return Of The King
Return Of The King is the second album by Eldee. It was released in 2006, and contains the single ‘I Go Yarn.’Big Boy
Big Boy is the third album by Eldee, released in 2008 and was originally titled "Evolution".Is It Your Money
eLDee's fourth album is titled "Is it your money Vol.1" and was released in 2010.Personal life
eLDee (Lanre Dabiri) and his long-term partner, Dolapo Latinwo-Belo married in November 2008 and together they have a daughter.Albums
- 2004: Long Time Coming
- 2006: Return Of The King
- 2008: Big BoyBig BoyThe name Big Boy has been applied to:* Big Boy , an American restaurant chain* Union Pacific Big Boy, a class of steam locomotives* Big Boy , Puerto Rican hip hop/reggaeton artist...
- 2010: Is It Your Money?
Compilations
- 2000: L.A.G Style
- 2004: The Big Picture (Trybe Records Album)
- 2009: The Champion: The Hits