This clip comes from episode three of "No Man's Friend," wherein Nigerian rapper eLDee recounts his move to the United States, his double life as a corporate employee, and how his coworkers found him out.
Eldee was big when the Nigerian entertainment was small... when there was no social media and we had only MTV to view our music. Such a pity he left too early, he could have been a bigger star
Stopped this guy in a club, and he still took 3 pics with me and my guys 14 years back in Lagos. He hasn't put out an album in almost two decades, but when we call GOATs in Naija you have to call Eldee and the Trybesmen
Yeah, these guys were dope. The only exception was Eedris! I just didn't rate him. Seemed too very shallow to me. Like an empty barrel making so much noise. But ElDee, that's an intellectual talking! You know there's stuff in that brain of his and you've just got to listen when he speaks
I see many Nigerians saying he's capping about tribalism in Nigeria... Naija is probably the most tribalised country in the world! Even if you are born in Ibadan and live there all your life, you can never be q senator in that state and that's true for every other state in Naija. A man from Kenya once served as an American president! We might not want to admit it, but Nigerias tribalism is much worse and have more dire consequences than Americas racism.... He just said a bitter truth.
Nigeria is not the most tribalized, there are countries with far more tribalism than Nigeria, however tribalism here is thick, we have people who would complain about governors in the western part and politics about the western part of Nigeria but make their own leaders out to be saints, same people who oppress them. Any part of the country would employ their own people first before any other tribe.
You were doing just fine until you said Naija tribalism is worse than racism. Lets just hope that you’ve live outside Africa because the Enzo Fernandez/Argentina saga has been an eye opening experience as to how Nigerians will back racist ideologies because they don’t understand context or because it hasn’t happened to them yet. Make una continue.
@@juju10452 I said Nigerian tribalism is worse than Americas racism and I stand by that. I've lived in both Nigeria and the US and I know what I'm talking about. Nigeria will institutionally disenfranchise you for being from a tribe. How can you not be employable in some government parastatals because of where you are from irrespective of your capacity or qualification? How can a student who scored 160 in JAMB be considered over a student who scored 290 just because he is from a certain tribe? How can a footballer who plays far better than another loose a place to him in the National team because of tribal consideration?, If the USA was Nigeria, their National basketball team would have been 60% white, 15% Hispanic, and 15% black just to satisfy federal character even though they know that blacks excel in basketball than any other race. They will face unlimited international embarrassment as they loose match after match without remorse... The worst part is that tis is not covertly done. The system is well documented and institutionalized in something called the Nigerian federal character and quota system (You should look this up!). America is great because most of the time, the best man gets the job irrespective of where he is from. That is why an Israel Adesanya can dominate the MMA and a Barack Obama can become the President. Do you think this can EVER happen in Nigeria? Someone once said he will rather vote a monkey from his tribe than a professor from another tribe, because his own knows his pain better than another. He fails to realize though that a monkey knows only how to swing and he will lead the entire nation to the jungle to swing with him! This is the major reason why Nigeria cannot maximize it's potential as far as human resources is concerned. Opportunity is much more democratized in America than it is in Nigeria. Eldee is saying a bitter truth that many Nigerians do not want to confront. Nigerian tribalism is much worse than American racism.
One of our best ,...whose lyrics in his track "I go yarn" ,...still resonate today ....and the society is still mess up here,...God bless u Eldee D Don
He crafted a style of Hip-Hop music that bridged the gap between the streetwise and the elite! That style birthed and influenced so many super stars in Nigerian music at the same time He worked on Radio as one the most iconic OAPs of Rhythm 93.7 while running a record label all at thesame time 🏆🎖️🏅 Eldee is the Don
ELDEE THE DON as we used to call him in Nigeria. He was one of the pioneers of Afro-Rap/Hip-Hop culture in Nigeria and West Africa. In fact, he's one of the Nigerian finest lyricists in history. He was very versatile in his acts and artistry. A rare gem to his crew "TRIBESMEN" ....He was not only known across the continent but a household name in Afropop culture. ..."Today na today, u no go explain, I go put u for corner...... Na Wash! .....
Eldeeeeeee, such a good clip, and the interviewer was cool too, he allowed him talk. I never would have imagined Eldee had a solid career outside music, cuz he was big back in the day. that must have been some work and discipline
Eldee da Don. I didn't know you were this articulate. Great job brother. I listened to all your songs from day 1 when you first started and felt bad when you stopped making music. You were the man back in those days with Olu maintain and them, I'M LEAVING, I'M OFF TO YANKEE 😅. IF YOU BE 9JA BOYYYYY. Big ups bro 💪🏾
What a wholesome interview.I have never heard of him but just love his story.If you ever doubt what humility is :this is humility.He wants to stay far from the fame, he desires real connections. As a Cameroonian hanging around lots of Nigerians i can tell you:the honor and respect thing can be overwhelming. He doesn't even have "an assent".He speaks so well and proud of his origins. Respect to our Nigerian brothers;you make Africa proud
Elder I can't thank you less, saw you last at Sprite splash you were part of the judges, good to know you doing great! God, Universe and mother nature bless you inmensely for what you started as a pioneer of afro hiphop
"na wash" is the best for me out of all his songs cos at that time, we could relate to it. But today, most of the things he listed in that song is arguably the reality of most of our musicians.. this goes a long way to show howfar we've come.
This sounds like coming out! I know Eldee as a big time artist... To think that you had a whole nother life going on in the US... It makes me respect you even more... I can't speak for the architect but you definitely killed it as an artist... I'm sure you'd be really proud of what the Nigerian music industry has become.
You'll think you know stars until you realise you were not around when Eldee was Eldee The Don. His songs from over a decade ago will be put in a ring with some recent hits and his songs will still beat the newer songs black and blue. He was so good, as in, GOOOOOOOOOD at his craft, which is my personally curated Apple Music playlist has his songs on it. A GOAT among GOATS
It is always a delight to watch ElDee speak. Always calm and intelligent. ElDee left the entertainment scene at the peak of his career not like his career was in a decline coz i cant think of any bad songs from him. Is there a part 2 to this interview?
Most humble celebrity and real life best person to interact with. Eldee is incredibly authentic. I subscribed because of this video, been wondering where he has been. El, I still got your pictures with me. Keep it up 💪 real talk.
I know eldee in Atlanta and lagos ..around olu maintain and Goldee. hes very humble...and some of his freinds who are musicians are also tailors and degree holders.
He's experience of the US is no difference from that of most(not all) African(all) immigrants. I like the fact he did not try to invalidate the experiences of others particularly Americans of African descent.
Lol how are people using their experience to judge others? My brother attended Bayero uni and faced discrimination for being a southern christian. Him coming from a comfy background doesn't shield him from the realities of a Nigerian in Nigeria
I met him one time in a restroom on the set of Return of Jenifa. He’s is refined and very humble. One of the best rappers that ever did it in Nigeria. I don’t know why he stopped.
Destiny and grace can make mentees of a mentor surpass him or her in a chosen field of career. Who would have thought that this simple looking eLDee a.k.a Lanre Dabiri was the number 1 Don of Nigerian music before the Don Jazzies of today? This guy did the same thing Don Jazzy with his Mavin Record label is doing today, first with Trybesmen far back in 90's and 2000's, which had Freestyle, KaBoom (K.B), and him eLDee as the boss, before transitioning into Da Trybes Records which birthed stars like, 2Shotz, Dr Sid, Sasha P, just to mention these few. All these afforementioned artistes had their A games as solo artistes. The social media and consistency gave the likes of Don Jazzy great leverage over eLDee Tha Don. Man is legendary.
"Without you, the industry is still on the same spot like light polls"....Legend... They don't make em like you no more.... Lyrically the Kendrick Lamar of our time and O.G wise the Tupac, Biggie , Jay Z, Snoop, Eminem of our time.... Morals still prevailed... Every song is relatable... It's always a story like NF... Mehn #bringbackgoodmusic....
