Nigerian rapper Jeremiah Chukwuebuka Ani, professionally known as Jeriq, has pushed back against the long-held belief that Igbo artists lack unity and support within the music industry.
Speaking during a recent appearance on The Vybz TV Cartel podcast, Jeriq described the claim as unfounded, drawing from his personal experiences with senior figures in the Igbo music space.
The rapper pointed to established stars Flavour and Phyno as clear examples of industry support, revealing that both artists have collaborated with him without requesting any form of payment.
Jeriq disclosed that Flavour played a major role in the success of his breakout song, Oluoma, which he described as the biggest track of his career. According to him, Flavour delivered his verse on the song at no cost, a gesture he said significantly boosted the record’s reach and impact.
He also revealed that his working relationship with Phyno has resulted in three songs, all completed without financial demands. Jeriq contrasted this with his experiences working with other artists, where formal contracts and revenue split agreements are often required.
The rapper argued that many emerging Igbo musicians owe their growth to similar gestures of support from established artists, insisting that the narrative of disunity does not reflect reality.
He further praised Flavour for consistently supporting upcoming talents, noting that several rising Igbo artists who received his endorsement are now enjoying successful careers.
Beyond local success, Jeriq expressed confidence in the global potential of Igbo-language music. Drawing a comparison with Asake’s rise using predominantly Yoruba lyrics, he predicted that an Igbo artist would one day sell out major international venues.
According to him, language is not a barrier to global success, and he believes it is only a matter of time before an Igbo-language performance fills a stadium in cities such as Paris or in the United States.
Jeriq’s comments have reignited conversations around cultural pride, collaboration, and the growing international reach of indigenous Nigerian music.
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