Jeriq Discusses His Life Prior To Music

Nigerian rapper Jeremiah Chukwuebuka Ani, known as Jeriq, has shared insights about his life prior to his music career, indicating that music played a crucial role in keeping him out of prison.

In an interview with The Smallie, the rapper from Enugu reflected on his challenging past, noting that he was introduced to street life and various negative influences at an early age. He stated that music became a means of escape and significantly altered the course of his life.

“I have been arrested multiple times by law enforcement due to various issues. If you look at my hands and legs, you will see scars from handcuffs. Anti-cult units and police have arrested me before. Thank God for music. If not for music, I would probably be in prison by now,”

he shared.

Jeriq also discussed the difficulties he encountered when he moved to Lagos to advance his music career. He acknowledged that breaking into the industry was challenging, particularly when he was still relatively unknown.

“The first time I came to Lagos, I wasn’t well-known, so I didn’t have any opportunities to meet other artists. It was difficult to collaborate with anyone because I was still an upcoming artist,”

he explained.

However, he mentioned that his situation improved upon returning to Lagos in 2021, after gaining more recognition, which ultimately led to a significant 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 noted.

Jeriq’s experience underscores the transformative influence of music, serving not only as a career opportunity but also as a means of redirecting his life away from crime.