eLDee
Birth nameLanre Dabiri[1]
Also known aseLDee The Don
Born (1977-05-23) May 23, 1977
Kaduna, Nigeria
OriginLagos, Nigeria
GenresAfro hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, record producer, song writer, Architect
Instrument(s)Rapping, Singer
Years active1998–present
LabelsTrybe Records
Websitetryberecords.com

Lanre Dabiri (born May 23, 1977), better known by his stage name Eldee, stylized as eLDee, is a retired Nigerian-American rapper, singer, and record producer based in the United States.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8] He has been credited with pioneering Afrobeats and the modern Nigerian pop sound in the late 90's.[9]

He is a member of the band Trybesmen, which was started in 1998 with rappers KB and Freestyle. He has made five solo albums. In 2019, he said he does not regret quitting music as the path his career was going would not make him have time for his family.[10] On 1 October 2016, Netng longlisted him on its list of 56 greatest Nigerian entertainers of all time, for his contribution towards the music industry, and for founding the first official Nigeria airplay chart, known as Playdata, for monitoring music consumption on radio.[11]

He has helped several upcoming musicians and producers blow into stardom including Sasha P, Blaise, 2Shotz, Sarz, Sheyman, Dr Sid, Del, Eva Alordiah, Banky W, K9 and Sojay.[12]

Early life

eLDee was born on May 23, 1977, in Kaduna state, a northern geopolitical zone of Nigeria. He is originally from Lagos Island in Lagos State of Nigeria.

Education

He attended Command Children School kaduna and Essence International School before Moving to Lagos for his higher education. He has a master's degree in Architecture from the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 2001.

Career

eLDee is credited as one of the pioneers of the afrobeats music genre. In 1998, he started a band called Trybesmen which went on to be one of the music groups that popularized the fusion of hip-hop, highlife, pop and traditional afrobeat music. Trybesmen were a continental hit by the year 2000 and played a pivotal role in the shaping of the new music genre.

eLDee signed a total of 16 artists to his Trybe Records label, and named the collaboration of all said artists Da Trybe. They produced the singles "Work it out" and "Oya" in 2002, and the album BIG Picture in 2005.

After moving to the United States in 2002, eLDee recorded a solo album titled Long Time Coming (2004). He followed it up with Return of the King (2006), which contains the single "I Go Yarn". Return of the King won "Best International Album" at the 2007 Nigeria Entertainment Awards in New York City.[13] His subsequent albums are Big Boy (2008), originally titled Evolution, Is it your money Vol.1 (2010) and Undeniable (2012).

eLDee has worked as an artist, producer, director and an interactive media consultant.

Personal life

"Lanre" is a derivative for the Yoruba name "Olanrewaju" (which translates to "Wealth is moving forward").[14]

eLDee and his long-term partner, Dolapo Latinwo-Bello married and together they have 2 daughters, Temi, and Toke. He has been based in Atlanta, USA since 2002.

In December 2013 he posted a message on his official Twitter page to voice his support for gay rights, saying that hopefully one day soon Africa will realize that anti-gay sentiment is no different from racial or religious discrimination.[15]

Discography

Albums

  • 2004: Long Time Coming
  • 2006: Return of the King
  • 2008: Big Boy
  • 2010: Is It Your Money
  • 2012: Undeniable

Compilations

  • 2000: L.A.G Style by Trybesmen
  • 2004: The Big Picture (Trybe Records Album)
  • 2009: The Champion: The Hits

See also

References

  1. ↑ "AFRICAN CHIQUITO". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  2. ↑ Akan, Joey. "eLDee: Rapper to make comback for Olamide collaboration?". Pulse.ng. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Handsome rapper, Eldee celebrates eight years of marriage (Photos) - Madailygist". Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  4. ↑ "eLDee And Wife Celebrate 7th Wedding Anniversary – INFORMATION NIGERIA". Informationng.com. November 7, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ "Eldee Picks Rapper, Eva Alordiah As First Lady". Nigeriafilms.com. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  7. ↑ "TheNET.ng – Nigeria's Top Website for News, Gossip, Comedy, Videos, Blogs, Events, Weddings, Nollywood, Celebs, Scoop and Games". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Eldee signs female rapper, Eva Alordiah to Tribes Records v.20 – Daily Post Nigeria". Dailypost.ng. May 31, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  9. ↑ Itodo, Sunny Green (May 15, 2023). "Nigerian Afrobeats artists making waves overseas, gives me pure joy - ElDee". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  10. ↑ "I don't regret leaving music –Eldee". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  11. ↑ "56 greatest Nigerian entertainers of all time". Nigerian Entertainment Today. October 1, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Hip-hop at 50: Top 10 Greatest Nigerian Rappers of All Time - The49thStreet". August 31, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Eldee". afrobios.com. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Olanrewaju - Nigerian.Name". Nigerian.name. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Rapper Eldee advocates for gay rights, as fans go wild! – Vanguard News". Vanguardngr.com. December 26, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
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