Rapper Jeremiah Chukwuebuka Ani, known as Jeriq, says music rescued him from a path that could have led to prison. He revealed that he was arrested several times in the past because of his involvement in street vices.
Speaking in an interview with X influencer Smallie, he said his hands and legs still carry scars from handcuffs. He mentioned that both anti cult units and regular police officers had picked him up on different occasions.
Jeriq described music as his saving grace, saying it pulled him away from negative influences. According to him, without music he would probably be serving time in prison today.
The Enugu born rapper also shared how hard it was to break into the Lagos music scene. He recalled that on his first visit to Lagos, he was still an upcoming act and struggled to get collaborations because he had little to offer established artists.
His breakthrough came in 2021 when he released the joint EP East and West with rapper Dremo. He said that project changed perceptions and opened doors in the industry.
Jeriq added that he is confident rapping in Igbo will not limit him but instead help him reach a global audience. He believes African languages and culture now have strong international appeal and will support his rise beyond Nigeria.
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