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I am a hometown hero – Jeriq boasts as he reveals plan for a stadium concert
Nigerian rap sensation Jeriq has released his highly anticipated album “King,” shedding light on his journey to fame and revealing plans for a stadium concert.
In a recent interview with Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio, Jeriq discussed his rise to prominence and the unwavering support he receives from his fan base.
Jeriq’s musical journey began as a chorister in the Catholic Church, where he first discovered his passion for music. He credits his early exposure to Igbo Highlife music, often played by his father, as a significant influence on his decision to pursue a career in music.
“I started music when I was in the Catholic Church. I was in the choir, so that was when I first connected with music. My dad always played Emeka Morocco’s music, so it was a combination of church and the music I heard growing up. When I finished school in 2015, I jumped into the studio and recorded a track. I had been writing songs before that, but that was when I recorded and released my first official track.”
Ahead of the release of “King,” Jeriq dropped the single “Jehovah,” whose music video he says was inspired by his desire to motivate people on the streets.
“The music video is meant to be inspiring, and that’s what I aimed to achieve. I wanted to inspire the streets because, if you watch the video, you see the moments when I was broke and struggling. It’s a ‘rags to riches’ story—showing that with perseverance, your time to shine will come.”
Jeriq’s new album comes after what he describes as a challenging period in his life. According to him, “King” is a celebration of triumph and a declaration of his success.
“It’s all about celebration and fulfillment for me because I went through a lot. The album is full of stories about my trials, tribulations, and triumphs. The track [‘King’] is about telling people I’ve finally won, telling my mum that I’ve made it. It’s about celebrating, manifesting, and confirming that I’m the king of this ‘ting.”
In 2023, Jeriq made headlines when 15,000 people attended his concert in his hometown of Enugu. Speaking with Apple Music Africa Now Radio, he described himself as a hometown hero who owes his success to the streets. He also announced his plan to headline a stadium concert soon.
“Where I’m from, I’m the voice of the streets—the hometown hero. I love the streets; I’m from the streets, so we connect. To be honest, the streets made me. I can’t do anything without the streets, so I’m planning on hosting a stadium show this November, taking it even bigger than before.”
Jeriq’s album “King” was released on August 16, 2024, marking another significant milestone in his career as he continues to lead the charge in Nigerian indigenous rap music.