For some people it is his scuffle with American rapper, 50 Cents, during his visit to Nigeria, in 2004.
Others may choose to remember his numerous swipes at colleagues in his songs. However, beyond the many controversies that have dogged his career over the years, Eedris Abdulkareem, was once a professional table tennis player and journalist.
Recalling some of his exploits with a wide grin, the rapper says, "Back then, my passion was journalism, sports and music. As a hustler, you do everything but the most important thing is to get some form of education. I had a stint in journalism in Kano State with the Daily Times at the time, but I left because I wasn't really passionate about it. More so, I was young and I thought it would not fetch me money. At age 15, I represented Kano State as a table tennis player. I was also part of the Nigerian Table Tennis contingent to the All Africa Games in 1985, which took place in Kenya, with the likes of Funke Oshinaike, Atunda Musa and the late Yomi Bankole."
The Bayero University, Mass Communication graduate says, "God told me emphatically that my calling was music because he wants me to use it to speak for the voiceless. He said, 'Eedris, leave Kano, you are going to go to Lagos to do music, you would go through a lot but you will make it nonetheless. As soon as you have the opportunity to speak on the microphone, use it to talk about the ills in the society like sexual harassment, politics, embezzlement and illiteracy.
Also, I was interested in music because my mother raised 10 children and lost seven of them. It made me a very conscious boy at a tender age because of that." Looking back, the artiste, who has been in the game for two decades, says he is glad that he yielded to the call. "I would have made more money from music if I sing praises. But if you are a public officer who is accountable, I will definitely praise you. With music, I have met all my needs and gained international recognition. I have the authority to walk up to any governor's door and get instant recognition. They will say, "Ah, Eedris Abdulkareem, Obasanjo's friend, Jaga jaga".
It has opened many doors for me and I don't have to sell my soul to the devil or become a member of illuminati to be successful," he says amid laughter. When asked to comment on the high point of his career, his face lights up in a smile "The best to ever happen to me was former President Olusegun Obasanjo talking back at me, calling me a mere street boy whose father is not known.
The president took me to the next level, I became a super star, and now people know me, because Obasanjo put me in his level." As if these achievements are not enough, the rapper, who has been running an independent label, La Kreem Records, since 2004, is happy because he has succeeded in keeping the home front intact in spite of controversies.
"I love my family and wife so much that I don't joke with them. I have been married for 13 years, though they thought it would last three months. I proved to them that it is possible to be a family man and artiste at the same time. I am an inspiration to other married celebrities," he boasts. Things can only get better, as far as Eedris is concerned.
With a sixth album due in November, the Osun State native, who says he has a few friends in the industry, tries to clear a few issues off his chest. "I don't need endorsements, but I am cool with the shows that Mike Adenuga has been giving me. Shows are enough for me. I will endorse my own product which I am putting together. I need more shows because they pay my bills.
If I tell you I want endorsements you may think that most of the things I sing about are for endorsement. I don't want it, but I do it for other Nigerian artistes so they can live big. But if you must endorse, choose people that will add value to your life. Endorsement is the best thing that has ever happened to Nigeria. My only grouse is that abroad, endorsed artistes add value to other people's lives. Here in Nigeria, it is the opposite," he says.
By JAYNE AUGOYE
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