In a recent interview on Naija FM, Lagos, Nigerian singer Inetimi Alfred Odom, better known as Timaya shades Eedris Abdulkareem, claiming that Eedris has lost respect in the music industry due to his outspoken nature.
Timaya, a prominent figure in the Afrobeats scene, expressed that Abdulkareem is no longer held in high regard because of his tendency to speak out excessively. The remark came after the host attempted to compare Timaya’s personality with Abdulkareem’s, suggesting that both artists were seen as figures that people would hesitate to pick fights with.
The host said, “You and Eedris Abdulkareem are among the artists that people are mostly afraid of picking a fight with.” Timaya replied: “I don’t talk like Eedris. I don’t behave like him. Nobody is afraid of him because he talks too much. He has always been a talkative. “I don’t even want people to be afraid of me. I respect myself so that people will respect me.”
Regarding his relationship with Eedris Abdulkareem, Timaya said, “I have never had any problem with Eedris. It was just a relationship of the boss and apprentice. I don’t even think he knows my name at that time. I only give him shutout because he was part of my success story.”
“We don’t have any reason to communicate. When I was serving in his band, he didn’t had any reason to build a relationship with me. When people are serving you don’t act like you’re tolerating them, treat them like family because you don’t know tomorrow.”
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Eedris Abdulkareem And Public Feuds
You’ll recall that on Tuesday, May 4, Nigerian veteran hip hop artist Eedris Abdulkareem reignited his long-standing feud with reggae dancehall star Timaya. The controversy flared up when Abdulkareem took to his Instagram page, sharing screenshots of fans who criticized Timaya for allegedly disrespecting his former mentor.
“An ingrate is an ingrate ignore him. 😁 😁 😁,” he captioned the post on his Instagram page. This latest clash comes nearly four years after the two artists had a messy social media confrontation. The feud initially began in 2017 when Abdulkareem, during an interview, referred to Timaya as an “ingrate,” claiming that the ‘Gra Gra’ hitmaker wouldn’t have achieved his success without his support.
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In response to Abdulkareem’s comments, Timaya fired back, accusing the rapper of exploiting his services without offering any compensation. He recalled how, in the past, he had to use his own money to cover transportation costs for performances alongside Abdulkareem. Timaya also claimed that the ‘Jaja Jaga‘ singer treated him like “a nobody,” advising him to focus on self-improvement rather than blaming others.
Eedris Abdulkareem, known for his outspoken nature, began his music career in the 1990s and gained widespread recognition with his 2004 hit single “Jaga Jaga.” His debut solo album, Pass, was released in 2002, followed by Mr. Lecturer later that same year. The title track, which addressed sexual harassment in universities, became a hit in Nigeria and sparked considerable controversy.
Eedris Abdulkareem’s next album, Jaga Jaga (2004), stirred even more controversy. The title track, which criticized corruption and suffering in Nigeria while also referencing the alleged political assassination of the country’s Attorney General, was banned from state-run radio and television by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
In 2005, Eedris Abdulkareem founded his own record label, Lakreem Music, and released his fourth album, Letter to Mr. President. The album was a direct response to President Olusegun Obasanjo’s criticisms of his song “Jaga Jaga.” It also featured tracks like “Flash Up” and “Unu Lighter,” as well as a tribute to Obasanjo’s late wife, Stella Obasanjo.
In 2007, Eedris Abdulkareem released the album King is Back, which focused on his struggles with Obasanjo’s government, industry stakeholders, and concert promoters who shunned him for speaking out in songs like “Koleyewon.” He followed up with Unfinished Business in 2010.
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Eedris Abdulkareem attracted international attention in 2004 following a brief and somewhat confusing altercation with American rapper 50 Cent at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The incident occurred when Abdulkareem deliberately attempted to occupy the seat reserved for 50 Cent in the first-class section of the aircraft.
Abdulkareem insisted on sitting in the reserved seat, leading to a physical altercation between him, his friends, and 50 Cent’s bodyguards. The fight left one of Abdulkareem’s associates hospitalized, and 50 Cent ultimately returned to the United States, canceling his scheduled concert in Port Harcourt.
In early 2021, Eedris made a comeback with a series of singles, including Jaga Jaga Reloaded and Oti Get E, which quickly gained massive attention on social media. He has continued to be praised for using his music as a powerful platform to highlight social and political issues.
Eedris Abdulkareem first rose to prominence as the lead rapper of the now-defunct Nigerian hip-hop group The Remedies, alongside Tony Tetuilla and Eddy Montana. Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Nigerian hip-hop, he is considered one of the most influential Nigerian rappers of all time.
After The Remedies disbanded, Eedris launched a successful solo career, releasing multiple albums and hit singles. In June 2024, he made headlines with the release of his song Emi Lokan, in which he criticized both current and former Nigerian administrations, including Bola Tinubu and Muhammadu Buhari, over the high cost of living and what he perceived as religious hypocrisy.
