During a recent appearance on The Vybz TV Cartel podcast, rapper Jeriq dismissed claims that Igbo artists fail to support one another, describing the idea as misleading and unfounded. According to him, some of the most significant support he has received in his career has come from fellow Igbo musicians.
He pointed to highlife star Flavour as a notable example, crediting him with uplifting several emerging Igbo artists through collaborations and public endorsements. Jeriq revealed that his most successful song to date, Oluoma, featured Flavour at no cost, a gesture he described as pivotal to his career growth.
“Numbers don’t lie,” he noted, emphasising that the song remains the biggest of his career. He contrasted this experience with standard industry practices, where collaborations often involve contracts and split sheets, explaining that both Flavour and rapper Phyno have consistently worked with him without financial demands. Jeriq disclosed that he has recorded three songs with Phyno and one major hit with Flavour, all done free of charge.
Beyond addressing the issue of collaboration, the rapper also shared his optimism about the global future of Igbo-language music. Drawing parallels with Yoruba-language star Asake’s international success, Jeriq expressed confidence that an artist performing primarily in Igbo could one day sell out major arenas in cities such as Paris or in the United States.
His remarks add to ongoing conversations about representation, collaboration, and cultural pride within Nigeria’s music industry, while challenging stereotypes that have persisted about regional dynamics among artists.