Veteran Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem is enjoying a resurgence of public attention with his latest protest song, Tell Your Papa, which has gone viral across digital platforms despite a recent broadcast ban by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The NBC, in a memo dated April 10, 2025, banned the song from radio and television airplay, citing violations of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. The track, which boldly criticizes President Bola Tinubu’s administration, was classified as “Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB)” due to its “inappropriate and offensive” lyrical content.
Ironically, the censorship seems to have amplified the song’s popularity. As of reporting time, Tell Your Papa has surged to over 89,000 views and 2,800 likes on YouTube. This is up from 22,754 views shortly after release. On Spotify, it has surpassed 30,000 streams, reflecting a strong wave of support from Nigerians online.
Reacting to the development of Tell Your Papa, Eedris Abdulkareem took to Instagram to draw parallels with his 2004 hit Jaga Jaga, which was also banned. He wrote: “It’s obvious that in Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism is always deemed a big crime by the government.”
The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) also voiced its stance, warning that the ban may backfire by generating even more attention and support for the song.
Adding to the chorus of criticism, Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka released a statement from New York University, Abu Dhabi, condemning the NBC’s move as a return to dangerous censorship and an assault on artistic freedom. In a satirical tone, Soyinka wrote: “It is not only the allegedly offensive record that should be banned – the musician himself should be proscribed. Next, PMAN, or whatever musical association of which Abdulkareem is a member, should also go under the hammer.”
He added that censorship of this nature not only threatens democracy but is ultimately self-defeating: “The ban is a boost to the artist’s nest egg, thanks to free governmental promotion. Mr. Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank. I envy him.”
Interestingly, Soyinka admitted he had not listened to the song, but emphasized that the core issue was not about lyrics but about the broader democratic principle of free speech. “A government intolerant of criticism is already on a slippery slope to the abyss,” he warned.
Nigerians on social media have also rallied behind Abdulkareem. As the controversy unfolds, Tell Your Papa continues to dominate discussions online. By this, highlighting the power of music as a tool for political commentary—and the unintended consequences of censorship in the digital age.
Wole Soyinka Condemns Ban on Eedris Abdulkareem Song, Uses Irony to Criticize Government Censorshiphttps://t.co/SUzNynzMwb pic.twitter.com/AzQ5P6UeSB
— Brand Icon Image (@BrandIconImage) April 14, 2025
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The post Eedris Abdulkareem’s ‘Tell Your Papa’ gains massive streams despite NBC ban appeared first on NotjustOk.
Veteran Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem is enjoying a resurgence of public attention with his latest protest song, Tell Your Papa, which has gone viral across digital platforms despite a recent broadcast ban by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). The NBC, in a memo dated April 10, 2025, banned the song from radio and television airplay,
The post Eedris Abdulkareem’s ‘Tell Your Papa’ gains massive streams despite NBC ban appeared first on NotjustOk. Read More