Eedris Abdulkareem is a Nigerian artiste who is perceived in a variety of ways depending on whom you are speaking. One thing you however cannot take away from him is the political power wielded by his music. In this interview with eelive.ng, he speaks about his motivation, why his forthcoming album has taken so long and his perception of current Nigerian music.
You just released your seventh studio album, Nothing but the Truth, what inspired your choice of theme for the project?
The album Nothing but the Truth is what it is. Over 80% of Nigerians are currently living below poverty level in truth, and no amount of grandstanding without the requisite hard work required to right the many wrongs will change anything. Then again, it is high time we stop sweeping all these dirt under our already grossly abused and infested carpet. Our society is in turmoil. Everything is going down, just look around you and the evidence of the gradual decaying process of our country stares you in the eyes.
Nothing but the Truth is my personal overview of what’s happening. I asked some questions and proffered answers of my own too. It’s loaded, its vintage Eedris Abdulkareem.
How has the past ten years been since you dropped Unfinished Business and why did it take you so long to release a new album?
The ten years hiatus between my sixth studio album Unfinished Business was used in pursuing so many other projects and programmes that I am involved in. I used the time to tour extensively, discover a lot of things as well as perfect things while positively impacting and lifting others up.
I have also been recording. In fact, during this time in question; I recorded hundreds of songs and did collaborations with diverse acts from across the world. It’s been a creatively busy whirlwind of opportunities and grace. And don’t forget that I have been dropping singles periodically all this while too. So, in a nutshell; Nothing but the Truth as an album is coming out when it is time for the truth to be Unveiled.
What does Eedris Abdulkareem stand for?
I know a lot of people out there already know the answer to this. I stand with the people and I stand for the people. I am a voice that speaks for the voiceless, that fights for the weak and defends the poor. I am a social crusader, social activist and constructive critic.
The only difference between me and some world-renowned social engineers is that I use my gift of music as a vehicle in propagating the same values, just like the irreplaceable Abami Eda. You are the people, we are the people and I am the people; that’s Eedris Abdulkareem.
How challenging has it been to remain relevant in the music industry giving the fact that we now have a daily army of upcoming musicians in Nigeria?
Challenges like that are for weak hearts, for Wackaweekee MC’s. I love challenges, and besides, the more the merrier. My only grouse with some of the practitioners in the industry is based on their lyrical hogwash and bum bum, drugs and illicit sexual immorality that they glorify instead of using their talents to benefit the society positively. It’s a sad commentary.
You sing a lot about political issues in Nigeria, why is that so?
I do that because I want to live in a sane society and I want my children to grow up and thrive in a Nigeria that is better than the one I grew up in. I do that because our leaders have constantly lied to us, cheated us, used and abused us.
I do that because of the fact that our Commonwealth, our collective patrimony have always been shared and continues to be sliced with malicious abandon amongst a privileged few, the elitist ruling class while the masses perish and die of hunger and want.
I do that because we want good governance, we want constant electricity, we want good motor-able roads, and we want infrastructure. I do that because whatever the political class does or fails to do affect me one way or the other. I do that because we want a better, prosperous and virile nation.
I do that for you, I do it me and I do it for every Nigerian and will continue doing it until we have the Nigeria we deserve.
What are your expectations for the Nigerian music industry in 2020?
Well, the year 2020 is almost coming to an end; and it’s an unforgettable year that unleashed the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic on our planet.
The pandemic and its attendant; the disruptive virus of enforced lockdown of the world affected almost all sectors of the economy.
And of course, the entertainment industry is one of the hardest hit of all. Till now, we are under lock and key, so to say. So generally, the year hasn’t been too kind on our world, but we strive still. I believe 2021 will see us coming back stronger.
Do you think the songs in Nigeria are doing enough to address the economic and political issues in the country?
No, I don’t think so, and that’s the major grouse I have with Nigerian artistes like I said earlier. We should start beaming our searchlights on our elected and appointed representatives in all strata of governance. All of us are political animals in the first place and the actions and inactions of our government officials affect us all in the long run.
Let’s make a paradigm shift from focusing on illicit wealth acquisition and promotions and celebrations of same wanton and downright dirty lyrical songs to doing the needful for the benefit of everyone.
Revolutionary Sounds, militant vibes and protest songs, that’s the trajectory our music industry should and must take. We simply need more Fela Anikulapos.
How would you describe your beginning in the music industry?
The beginning wasn’t easy for me at all. It was a hard and difficult road to travel. Coming all the way from Kano to where I am today, I had to travel a route so cumbersome and discouraging that it would have deterred and killed the creative spirits of lesser dudes, but not me, I have a very thick skin in that sense.
Though I have told some segments of my story in some of my songs; I have the plan of writing a memoir soon on my journey and much travail in my pursuit of the truth and equity. It’s a long story.
What do you do outside music?
Apart from my music career, I am an entrepreneur and a big-time farmer. I love nature a lot, and I have invested well in food production activities. In reality, food security for all has always been one of my most enduring ventures and interests.
I do that and a few other things too. Lakreem Entertainment is thriving beautifully well, and we give thanks for the opportunity to serve, inspire and project.
Of all the music projects you have worked on, which has left a lasting memory and why?
All my music projects have distinctive directions and they are all applied by the people appropriately as events unfold. But of course, Jaga Jaga is a timeless piece of work that still speaks to our present day sad realities many years after it was released. That’s the reason why the song has been adjudged by music lovers from different backgrounds as the one to beat. But for me, all my songs speak directly to one topical issue or the other, and that’s what matters the most.
