Nigerian hip-hop singer, Eedris Turayo Abdulkareem Ajenifuja, popularly known as Eedris Abdulkareem, would be honoured by Unchained Vibes Africa and Lakreem Entertainment for his contributions to nation-building.
This was disclosed by the executive producer of Unchained Vibes Africa, Ayodele Ganiu.
“The objectives of the event billed for Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Freedom Park, Lagos are to reflect on the music of Nigeria’s hip hop veteran Eedris Abdulkareem and his contributions to nation building and to sensitize the general public on the role of artists in a democracy and mobilize the artistic community to become more active in civic engagements,” he stated.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the event will provide a platform to draw attention to Eedris’ selfless service to Nigeria through music and his current health challenge.
He added: “Our Lives Matter will be graced by music executives and industry key players, including Dr. Kenny ‘Keke’ Ogunbe, Dede Mabiaku, who are expected to reflect on Eedris Abdulkareem’s artistic journey and his activism respectively.
“Taking a critical look at the current dearth of fearless, patriotic, and consistent conscious artists, what this portends for Nigeria’s future, and the urgent need to safeguard that future, the Colloquium will provide a platform for ramping up support for Eedris Abdulkareem’s recovery from his current health emergency.”
It would be recalled that Abdulkareem was the lead rapper of the defunct Nigerian hip-hop boy band The Remedies.
He was born to a polygamous family in Kano, Nigeria, his father was from Ilesha, Osun State, and his mother was from Ogun State, all in the South Western part of Nigeria, but he adopted Kano State as his state of origin.
The hip-hop singer lost his father at the age of 2 and eight of his elder siblings as time went by.
Abdulkareem formed and performed with the hip-hop band The Remedies from 1997 until they split up in 2002.
He continued as a solo artist and released his first solo album, P.A.S.S. (“Pains And Stress = Success”), in 2002.
One of the hits in the collection titled “Wackawickee MC’s” criticized Tony Tetuila, Plantashun Boiz and Double X Posse for their unprofessionalism and troubleshooting antics.
Later the same year, he released an album titled Mr. Lecturer.
In 2004, Abdulkareem released his third album, Jaga Jaga, a Yoruba term for “shambles”, declaiming corruption and suffering in Nigeria.
The title track was banned from radio by President Olusegun Obasanjo but continued to be played in nightclubs and spots all over the country, and became a sort of underground Nigerian national anthem.
The album cover was by the renowned artist Lemi Ghariokwu, known for creating many album covers for Fela Kuti.
In November 2005, Abdulkareem launched his own record label, Lakreem Entertainment, and released his fourth studio album, “Letter to Mr. President”.