Veteran Nigerian rapper, Lanre Dabiri, widely known as Eldee The Don, has opened up about his influence on Grammy-winning artist Wizkid during his early days in the music industry.
In an interview on the Adesope Live Show, Eldee disclosed that when Wizkid joined the EME record label, his musical interests were primarily in Reggae and Dancehall.
However, Eldee advised him to embrace sounds rooted in Nigerian culture to create a unique identity.
"Wizkid leaned towards Reggae and Dancehall when Banky W signed him," Eldee shared.
"I told him to strike a balance and make music that feels Nigerian but has a fresh and flavorful vibe."
Eldee noted that Wizkid took the advice, which led to the creation of hits like Don’t Dull, a pivotal track that boosted Wizkid’s rise to prominence.
Now based abroad, Eldee reflected on his contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s music industry, particularly as Afrobeats continues to dominate the global stage.