Nigerian rapper Jeremiah Chukwuebuka Ani, popularly known as Jeriq, has opened up about his life before music, revealing that his career quite literally saved him from ending up in prison.
Speaking in an interview with The Smallie, the Enugu-born rapper reflected on his troubled past, explaining that he was exposed to street life and various vices from a very young age. According to Jeriq, music became his escape route and ultimately changed the direction of his life.
“I have been arrested multiple times by law enforcement agencies due to vices. If you look at my hands and legs, you will see scars of handcuffs. Anti-cult, police have all arrested me before. Thank God for music. If not for music, I would probably be in prison by now,” he said.
The rapper also spoke about the struggles he faced when he first moved to Lagos in a bid to push his music career forward. Jeriq admitted that breaking into the industry was tough, especially at a time when he was still relatively unknown.
“The first time I came to Lagos, then I wasn’t popping, so I didn’t have any opportunity to meet artists. It was difficult to collaborate with any artist because I was still upcoming,” he explained.
However, Jeriq noted that things took a positive turn when he returned to Lagos in 2021, after gaining more recognition. This eventually led to a major career milestone: a collaborative EP with Dremo.
“Things changed when I came back in 2021, and I was able to do a collaborative EP with Dremo titled East and West,” he added.
Jeriq’s story highlights the transformative power of music, not just as a career path, but as a lifeline that helped steer him away from crime and into purpose.