Veteran reggae musician, Orits Wiliki, believes Nigerian musicians owe the huge financial fortunes they currently enjoy in part to rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, who is now largely regarded as an outcast.
Eedris fought his way into the black book of corporate Nigeria and some fellow musicians when he clashed with the bodyguards of American rapper, 50 Cent, at the Lagos airport in December 2014.
The clash occurred on a chartered plane taking musicians, journalists and others to Port Harcourt for the Star Mega Jam concert sponsored by Nigerian Breweries.
Eedris took offence when he was asked to sit in the economy class on the plane while 50 Cent and his crew where to be flown in business class.
The clash that ensued saw the flight and the show in Port Harcourt cancelled, while the American rapper and his crew were evacuated from Nigeria.
Eedris was subsequently blacklisted by show organisers and sponsors across the country.
His career took a hit from which it never recovered even after he publicly apologised to Nigerian Breweries and 50 Cent.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Qed.ng at his studio in Lagos, Orits said the former Remedies member was “used as a scapegoat” and “the whole world hated him” without knowing what the fight was about.
“Artistes today are earning four million, five million. Hitherto, you cannot have an artiste that will be priced half a million,” he added.
See video of the interview below:
