Nigerian singer Timaya has made headlines following his recent comments about his colleague, veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem. In an interview on Naija FM, Lagos, Timaya expressed that Abdulkareem, despite his contributions to the music industry, lacks respect both for himself and others, which has led to him not being highly regarded within the industry.
Timaya’s remarks were made during a discussion where the host attempted to draw comparisons between Timaya’s personality and Abdulkareem’s. The host remarked, “You and Eedris Abdulkareem are among the artists that people are mostly afraid of picking a fight with.” However, Timaya quickly downplayed the comparison, highlighting the differences between their approaches to life and career.
In response, Timaya said, “I don’t talk like Eedris. I don’t behave like him…. Nobody is afraid of him because he talks too much. He has always been a talkative.” Timaya added that his approach to respect is based on self-discipline and self-respect, stating, “I don’t even want people to be afraid of me. I respect myself so that people will respect me.”
Timaya’s comments on Abdulkareem also touched upon the veteran rapper’s reputation in the music industry. He implied that Abdulkareem’s outspoken nature has contributed to his lack of respect from peers, contrasting his own approach, which focuses on humility and self-respect. The singer emphasized that respect should be earned through one’s actions, not through fear or excessive talk.
Regarding his personal relationship with Eedris Abdulkareem, Timaya clarified that there has never been any personal conflict between them. He stated, “I have never had any problem with Eedris. It was just a relationship of the boss and apprentice.” Timaya explained that their interaction was purely professional, with no deep personal connection at the time.
He continued, “I don’t even think he knows my name at that time. I only give him shoutout because he was part of my success story.” Timaya explained that he acknowledged Abdulkareem’s role in his early career, but there was never any strong bond between them. “We don’t have any reason to communicate,” he said, reflecting the professional nature of their past relationship.
Timaya also shared his thoughts on how he was treated while serving in Abdulkareem’s band. He recalled, “When I was serving in his band, he didn’t have any reason to build a relationship with me. When people are serving you don’t act like you’re tolerating them, treat them like family because you don’t know tomorrow.” This statement seemed to highlight Timaya’s belief in mutual respect and the importance of treating others with kindness, regardless of their position.
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