It was a night of drama, chaos, and controversy when Nigerian rap legend Eedris Abdulkareem faced off with American hip-hop superstar 50 Cent and his entourage in 2004. The incident, which sparked a media frenzy and a public outcry, has been revisited by music executive Soso Soberekon, who shared his insider perspective on the online show hosted by Daddy Freeze.
Soberekon, revealed that Eedris Abdulkareem’s bold move to challenge the American rapper’s crew over their unfair and disrespectful treatment of Nigerian artists was a game-changer for the industry. He said that Eedris Abdulkareem “helped” improve the welfare and interpersonal relationship of Nigerian artists, who were previously “treated like rats” by foreign acts and promoters.
“Eedris did something that helped the industry, but he did it in a wrong way. Before then, Nigerian musicians were treated like rats.They would not even have backstage access. But when Eedris had that fight with 50 Cent, everything changed.
Nigerian artists started demanding better treatment and conditions. They started having more respect and value. Eedris sacrificed himself for the industry.” Soberekon said.
“Eedris did not fight 50 Cent. What really happened was that he wanted to sit on the seat that was meant for 50 Cent. He wanted to prove a point that he was a big artist too, but he did it in a wrong way.
The feud between Eedris Abdulkareem and 50 Cent has been one of the most talked-about topics in the Nigerian music scene, with different versions and opinions emerging over the years. Some have hailed Eedris Abdulkareem as a hero and a pioneer, while others have slammed him as a troublemaker and a clout-chaser. The truth, as they say, lies somewhere in between.
