1. Question: Eldee what inspired the "Me I go Yarn" song?"
Answer: I’ll try to keep this short. I went out to Cartersville one night( for those who don’t live in ATL,
this place is like 40 miles away from the city) and on my way back home at about 11pm,
I had a blow-out on interstate 75…in the middle of nowhere. Within 5 mins, there was a cop,
an ambulance and roadside assistance. The cop stayed till my tyre was changed and even escorted me back
home cos I was riding a donut against my other 18-inch rims. On my way home, I thought of what could’ve
happened to me if I was in the same situation at 11pm on 3rd mainland bridge and I almost started crying.
I got home and wrote “I go yarn”.
2. Question: I think I know the answer to this question, but i'll ask you, do you guys (Naija Artists) have groupies?
Answer: There are always groupies. You have to know how to handle the girls when they hit you up. Otherwise,
you’ll just end up with babies everywhere. I’ve heard of girls stealing used condoms so they can do the conception
manually…if you know what I mean…lol. Most people don’t think us naija artists get groupies but your sister is probably
holla’in at me right now on myspace, hi-5, or she’s already been here sef.
3. Question: Are they usually under-cover groupies or gangsta with their behavior?
Answer: Most girls are under-cover cos some just want to get a taste.
Some like to be loud to show off amongst their friends.
4. Question: Where do you get your inspiration from?
Answer: Day to day stuff. I write about my experiences.
5. Question: So what would you say distinguishes you from the rest of them artist like Edris, Tuface and those guys
Answer: We are probably close except maybe for the extra exposure I got to the world at a younger age.
People have said Im probably the most well-spoken of them all. I might agree. I respect a lot of our
artists and I am happy that people are able to distinguish eLDee from the rest by just listening to the
content of the music.
6. Question: You have been in the game for a minute. You started with TrybesMen, what is your situation with those guys now?
Answer: Everybody is doing their thing. Im here, KB is in Lagos working. Freestyle just released an album as well.
Sasha is about to drop an album. 2shots was one of the top 3 artists for 2004/2005 so he is doing his thing as well.
It gives me joy to see all my guys doing good.
7. Question: Is there going to be a re-union album?
Answer: There may not be one but Im open to it if Freestyle will get off thinking he’s the heart and soul of Trybesmen.
Its all about egos and personality clashes but Im sure we don’t have to be friends to make good music…right??
8. Question: When did you start rapping and who were some of the people/artists that planted the rap/music in you?
Answer: I started rapping in 92. I started seriously in 98. I grew up listening to some of the strongest music around.
Hiphop came late for me…say 1989. I caught up pretty good though. My biggest influences production-wise,…Dr. Dre,
Timbaland. Sometimes even J-dilla(RIP), Ali-Shaheed…etc. Im not one to be big on rappers but if there’s anyone that
has continuously impressed me over the decade; it will have to be Busta-rhymes.
I dont have any “favourite” rappers cos everyone comes sloppy now and then. Some get a lot of props
and acknowledgement but if you understand the industry, you know its about who has the best publicist/street
team working on their hype. My biggest musical influence I believe is Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
9. Question: I know you produce as well. Have you been shopping your beats to some Atlanta artists or just strictly
naija artists?
Answer: I make neither snap-music nor any of their brands and style so I’m not shopping to anybody out here.
If anything, I feel like if us Naija folk get behind naija music, we’ll have to be reckoned with…like they did
the Jamaicans in the late-70s and early 80s. Jamaica is not even a big fraction of black people.
We are the biggest black nation in the world and until we realize how much power we have with our numbers,
we will be left behind all the time.
10.Question: How important is record sales with naija artists compared to doing shows, monetary wise?
Answer: The bulk of your money comes from the distribution deals. I paved the way for most artists
with the Alaba marketers by getting the pirates involved with distributing Nigerian artists.
Artists are getting paid advances of up N15Million (about $100,000) nowadays.
The rest of it comes from shows where you get paid anywhere from N250,000 to N1 million per show these days.
You can’t worry much about the CD sales cos there is no RIAA nor soundscan to monitor sales for you in Nigeria.
The distributors/pirates sell between 50,000 to 10 million copies, hence, the reason they can dole out millions
in advances for big artists.
11.Question: So whats the situation with Trybe records and Storm Records. Do you own them both?
Answer: I own Trybe Records but I have a partnership deal with Storm records to promote my music
and my other artists in Africa.
12.Question: Eldee what advice would you give the new up and coming individuals coming into the game?
Is work ethic improtant?
Answer: As a naija artist, you have to understand that your strongest point and key to success is being
relevant in Nigeria first. The rest will follow over time. Our guys are already getting recognition by
the rest of the world. With more successes like tuface and the likes of Dbanj already taking home Kora,
Mobo and MTV awards, you have to position yourself properly and make sure youre making “naija-compatible” music.
You have to understand that there is a fine line between being a naija artist and being a western-wannabe.
Nigerians love for you to be westernized but if you don’t make music they can relate to, you will ultimately lose
your fans. All that artsy-fartsy “I don’t sing in pidgin” stuff doesn’t play well in Nigeria.
Create good music but make sure your music is one Nigerians can relate to. Even the great Fela Kuti
realized this after his return from abroad. He had to chill on the genre he was schooled in and make records
in pidgin/yoruba to get accepted. Work ethic?...Most naija artists have a good work ethic being the hustlers
we are as Nigerians. What separates the weak from the strong is the quality and presence of the music you make.
13.Question: What do you think has kept you in the game still?
Answer: I’ve just kept making good music. A lot of people may disagree but regardless of how long
I’ve been out of naija, I’m probably still one of the most feared and respected of the naija artists
by both naija industry folk and fans. I have one of the most anticipated albums on the naija music scene
and it feels good to know that people accept me for who I am and whatever I bring to the table.
14.Question: Anything else you want to add?
Answer: My new album “Return of the king” has not hit Nigeria yet but it’s already looking very promising because
I’ve gotten major offers from Nigeria with regards to distribution deals.
I feel like it’s the next big thing on the scene for 2007. The album has sold a huge amount online which
Is typically rare for Naija music so I’m very positive that we will do millions in Nigeria.
Visit www.eldeethedon.com to get your copy. Ask around…..its a sure banger!
