…Says Nigeria sitting on massive kegs of gun powder
Eedris Abdulkareem is a social activist that uses the instrumentality of music to send his messages across just like his idol, Fela Anikuplapo-Kuti, who he said in the interview that he wants to be like.
He came into musical limelight as a member of the the Remedies, a three man musical group, that pioneered Nigeria’s type of hip-hop music on the label of Kennies Music.
A lot of water has since flowed under the bridge since members of the group that gave us songs like ‘Sa ko mi’ went their separate ways, but in this interview with Charles Okogene, Abdulkareem whom a section of his fans refer to as Mau, Mau SoulJah insist that Nigeria is gradually going down the slope at a geometrical speed and called for a halt, hence Jagajaga Reloaded release as his warning.
Que: Do you see yourself as an activist musician of Fela Anikuplapo-Kuti kind?
Ans: Baba, Fela na our baba…so, there’s no comparison!
But to your question, I have always said that I want to be aligned with Fela as far as social activism and crusading through the instrumentality of music, are concerned!
Fela was larger than life and people like me are just contributing our own quotas in true nation building while following the indelible footsteps of the great Abami Eda himself!
Que: When and how did your path with Keyamo crossed that you went cap in hand to him?
Ans: The issues relating to my faceoff with Keyamo has been dealt with in my song “Jaga Jaga Oti Get E”, so there’s nothing more for me to add to that for now. If I have some other things to say, of course, that’ll be in form of a song!
I speak through my songs!
Que: How do you feel about his recent disclosure of your request from him?
Ans: The above, answers how I feel.
Que: Do you like the state of the nation now? Can you tell us more about this controversial Jagajaga Reloaded, who is the producer, on what label was it released?
Ans: Well, like all Nigerians and non Nigerians know, Nigeria has been ‘Jaga jagaed’ for years now, but the level to which we have degenerated as a country currently is so heartbreakingly shameful and painful…and this is almost 20 years after the release of the original Jaga Jaga album!
So, there’s no gainsaying the fact that if we don’t do the needful now, then we run the risk of losing this federation as we know it!
The style and manner of leadership we have in Abuja is simply regrettable… Nigeria is on the precipice, we are practically sitting on countless numbers of massive kegs of gunpowder…hence “Jaga Jaga Reloaded!”
Our leaders have not learnt their lessons, and we the electorate have not truly imbibed the essence of the power we have as a people who ultimately gets to decide exactly how we want to be governed, and who gets to govern or represent us!
Of course, the single is released on Lakreem Entertainment label, just like all my works since I left Kennis Music, and the song was produced by Soso Beat.
Que: What you sang about in Mr. Lecturer, another of your popular songs, came to pass with the arrest and imprisonment of OAU professor, would you say you are becoming a prophetic singer?
Ans: It will be presumptuous for one to start arrogating names and titles to oneself, besides, I am not trained that way. My mind do not play that kind of tricky, egoistic games on me.
Time is the leveler of all things as it unveils even the most hidden things!
So, my answer is that time will tell.
Que: You were one of those that kicked when Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was brought in to replace Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as governor of Lagos State, has Sanwo-Olu now, delivered on his promise of continuity to Lagosians?
Ans: Yes, I kicked against the decision then because just like any other apolitical Lagosian would tell you…Ambode was working as at the time the news filtered in!
But then, like I said earlier…time Will tell if Governor Sanwo-Olu will fulfill his promise. Thank you baba Duke, Charles Okogene. Big up!
