Veteran Nigerian rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, [/b]has clarified that his controversial new song “Tell Your Papa” was not a personal attack on Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but a direct response to a statement he made. The song has been a topic of heated debates since its release, with many interpreting it as a criticism of the first family. However, Abdulkareem, known for his outspoken nature, took to a popular media platform to set the record straight and defend the inspiration behind the song.
In an interview on Rubbin’ Minds, a program aired on Channels Television, the rapper explained that the track was inspired by Seyi’s recent comments in which he referred to his father as “Nigeria’s best-ever president.” Abdulkareem emphasized that he had no intention of attacking Seyi Tinubu personally but was merely responding to his public statement. He questioned, “So, why should I attack Seyi Tinubu personally?” making it clear that had Seyi not made such a statement, there would have been no need for him to write and release the song.
The rapper pointed out that the song was a direct reply to the video statement that Seyi made, and it wasn’t intended to start a personal feud. According to Abdulkareem, the release of the song was inspired by the specific content of the video, and he further explained, “If Seyi Tinubu never talked about it, I wouldn’t have recorded a song like that. So, I am replying to the video that he made. If he had kept quiet, I wouldn’t have said anything. I am inspired by Seyi Tinubu to record that song.” This clarification was crucial as it highlighted that the song was more about the issues raised by the statement than about targeting Seyi himself.
Abdulkareem also elaborated on the core message of the song, which he believes was about urging the president to address the serious issues that Nigerians are currently facing. He stressed that the song was not meant to attack but to call attention to key national problems such as insecurity, lack of electricity, job scarcity, and economic hardship. Abdulkareem remarked that Nigerian youths are only asking for basic necessities, saying, “Nigerian youths are just asking for basics: electricity, security, enabling economic environment, job creation and not palliatives.” He highlighted the frustration among the Nigerian populace with the government's handling of these fundamental concerns.
The comments made by Seyi Tinubu had sparked widespread reactions across the country when he made the statement in Yola, Adamawa State, in March 2025. Many Nigerians took to social media to express their opinions, with some agreeing with Seyi’s view while others vehemently disagreed. Abdulkareem’s response in the form of the track “Tell Your Papa” was quick to gain attention and drew both support and backlash from different quarters of the public. The song, known for its direct and bold lyrics, captured the attention of listeners but also triggered controversy, leading to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) stepping in.
On April 10, 2025, the NBC banned the song from radio and television, citing a violation of broadcasting codes. The decision, however, was met with public outrage, with many social media users expressing their displeasure. The ban was seen by many as a form of censorship, and it sparked a debate over freedom of expression in Nigeria. Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka was one of the prominent voices who criticized the NBC’s action. Soyinka called it a “return of censorship” and a dangerous threat to free speech. He argued that banning the song only served to amplify its reach, with more people now aware of the track due to the controversy surrounding it.
In his interview, Abdulkareem expressed his disappointment over the fact that his 2004 protest song, “Nigeria Jaga Jaga,” remains just as relevant two decades later. He lamented the lack of progress in addressing the socio-political issues highlighted in the song and stressed that his music was always meant to speak to the struggles of the common Nigerian. The fact that “Nigeria Jaga Jaga” is still applicable today only underscores the deep-rooted challenges that continue to affect the country, according to Abdulkareem.
Despite the ban, the track “Tell Your Papa” has gained significant traction on streaming platforms, with tens of thousands of views and streams recorded within just a few days of its release. The song’s popularity has soared in the wake of the controversy, with many fans rallying behind Abdulkareem for his bold stance on national issues. The song’s success on streaming platforms reflects the public’s desire for artists to speak out on matters that directly affect their lives and the future of the country.