eLDee on the move: using music as a tool of change
[Ed. note: This interview was conducted and condensed by Ayodeji Adewunmi]
Lanre Dabiri, better known by his stage name, eLDee, is CEO of Trybe records, rapper, record producer, pioneer of Nigerian hip hop and trained architect. He is clearly a leading light in the music and entertainment industry. Jobberman conducted an exclusive interview with him on how he is using his career to drive social change, his proudest moment professionally and what makes him tick.
AA: Tell me the origins of your stage name, eLDee the Don.
LD: My initials are eL and Dee, hence eLDee. I’ve been called eLDee from as far back as I can remember. “The don” came later as a result of my multiple roles in the business. I own a record label, shoot and edit videos, write and produce music, etc…I’m a one-stop-shop for entertainment.
AA: Let’s talk about social change. You have your stamp on Light Up Nigeria, Enough is Enough, One day…How did you come to the conclusion that social justice was going to be an area of focus in your music?
LD: I’ve always been about social change. Ever since I moved to Lagos in the late 90’s, I began to experience first hand all the issues we face as Nigerians. I grew up a bit sheltered so my first few real encounters with social issues in Nigeria came when I got into University of Lagos. I am one to stand for what I believe in, whether its fashionable to do so or not. I don’t even feel like im doing much but speaking the mind of the people, really. Everyone understands that the situation in Nigeria is not great, I just have the platform to inspire people and spread hope, and I’m using it for that purpose.
We have too many insincere people sitting at the helm of affairs and we need to rid ourselves of such elements if we want positive change. When people selected based on merit begin to occupy government offices, you will see change in Nigeria. Once we begin to enforce the laws of the land and everyone irrespective of religion, tribe, ethnic group, political weight, or background, is held accountable, people will begin to do things the right and proper way.
I believe I am given credit for this mostly because of the success of Trybesmen as the first music group in Nigeria to cut across all classes of Nigerians. The first of the new generation groups to be accepted as “cool”, yet Nigerian, by all Nigerians.
LD: I’d like to think it’s the fact that I was able to facilitate the creation of a music distribution channel for Nigerian music, which now employs millions of people. In the late 90’s, I thought up a way to gut our music independently distributed by the music pirates through their network and the “Alaba” phenomenon was born. Some say Alaba is killing the industry because of intellectual property violations, but the truth is, what we lack is enforcement, which can only be blamed on a failed government. If everyone is forced to play by the rules, we can begin to see real profit from our works and the government can begin to generate revenue from the entertainment industry as well.
LD: I don’t think I’ve had anything I can consider as a “failure”. I have had experiences that were not favorable but I learn from every single one of them and it has helped me to be the man I am today.
LD: If I were to retire from active performing, I don’t see myself ever stopping behind-the-scenes production work. I believe I will still write songs, direct music videos and maybe even movies at some point but I will definitely remain in entertainment.
LD: I try to have fun with it. Most of the things I write about are very calculated and there is a purpose to every song but I do it in as playful a manner as possible.
LD: I grew up in Kaduna, very serene environment. It played a role in my creative abilities. My mom was very keen on supporting everything I laid my hands on because I was a brilliant kid. I was a straight-As student so I always got what I wanted. She’s always supported me through my every passion, from dancing, to architecture, to music. My mom was responsible for most of the financial support Trybesmen and Trybe Records received in the early years, so yes, she played a very critical role.
LD: I am blessed with a woman that understands my passion and helps to keep me sane enough to continue to enjoy what I do. Not much has changed since the baby, my wife and I still hang out and do the things we did before. I always tell people, we are friends before being lovers so we work as a team always.
LD: The reason I went to the US in the first place was to develop myself professionally. I had peaked in Nigeria and wanted to garner experience working with the best of the best in the world. The minute I figured I was ripe enough to float a full interactive media production company in Nigeria, I moved back.
LD: I have absolutely no interest in politics, my passion starts and ends with social change and the benefits of using my platform to contribute positively towards the development of Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
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