{{Short description|Nigerian rapper and singer (born 1999)}} {{Infobox musical artist | birth_name = Jeremiah Chukwuebuka Ani | alias = Jeriq The Hussla<ref name="TTC"/> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|05|06}} | birth_place = Nkpor, Onitsha, Nigeria | origin = Enugu, Nigeria | occupation = {{flatlist| * Rapper * singer * songwriter }} | genre = Hip hop | years_active = 2015-present<ref name="TTC"/> }}
'''Jeremiah Chukwuebuka Ani''' (born May 6, 1999), known professionally as '''Jeriq''', is a Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter. He released his debut single, ''Iyoo'', in 2015. He gained local recognition with the release of his EP ''Hood Boy Dream'' (2020), which led to his signing with KOD Music Group. He released his debut studio album, ''Billion Dollar Dream'' (2022) under Iyoo Cartel Records, followed by a deluxe version in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jeriq Songs |url=https://hypexclusive.ng/artist/jeriq/ |url-status=live |website=Hypexclusive}}</ref>
''Billion Dollar Dream'' was nominated for Best Rap Album at The Headies 2023 Awards. The album featured the song ''My Bro'' (with Phyno), which received a nomination—Best Rap Song — at the same awards. Jeriq was featured on Zlatan's song ''Oganigwe'', which reached number 47 on the ''Billboard Afrobeat Charts''. Later in 2023, his collaborative track with rapper Blaqbonez, ''Nyem Ego'' (2021), was listed by ''Rolling Stone'' as one of the 40 Best Afropop Songs of the Year.
== Early life == Chukwuebuka was born in Nkpor, Anambra, Jeriq is a native of Enugu. He is the first child out of five.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Okogba |first=Emmanuel |date=2020-11-10 |title=Jeriq finally off the streets, signs to KODmusic group |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/11/jeriq-finally-off-the-streets-signs-to-kodmusic-group/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-01-20 |newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-GB}}</ref> He attended his secondary school education at College of the Immaculate Conception, Enugu and proceeded to Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), where he obtained his bachelor's degree in Computer Science in 2021.<ref name=":0" />
==Career== Jeriq began his music career in 2015 but gained wider recognition in 2020 following the release of his EP ''Hood Boy Dream''. His music incorporates influences from his Igbo heritage.<ref name="TTC">{{cite news |last1=Yusuf |first1=Aisha |date=4 October 2023 |title=Jeriq is Taking Indigenous Rap to the Global Stage |url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/magazine/Industry_Digest_July_August_2023/82 |access-date=21 January 2025 |work=TurnTable charts}}</ref> That same year, he signed with KOD Music.<ref name=":0" />
In 2022, he released his debut studio album, ''Billion Dollar Dream'', which consists of twelve tracks and features guest artists such as PsychoYP, Kofi Jamar, Flavour, Alpha P, and Dremo.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rapheal |date=2022-07-15 |title=Jeriq soars with Billion Dollar Dream |url=https://thesun.ng/jeriq-soars-with-billion-dollar-dream/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-01-20 |newspaper=The Sun|language=en}}</ref> A deluxe edition of the album, including five additional tracks, was released in 2023.<ref name="TTC" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Fast rising rapper, Jeriq drops |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2023/01/26/fast-rising-rapper-jeriq-drops-billion-dollar-dream-album/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-01-20 |language=en-US|newspaper=P.M. News}}</ref>
In a review for ''The Native'', critic Chibuzo Emmanuel described the album as showcasing Jeriq’s potential to become one of the leading artists in Nigeria.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Emmanuel |first1=Chibuzo |date=30 May 2022 |title=A 1-Listen Review of Jeriq's Debut Album 'Billion Dollar Dream' |url=https://thenativemag.com/1-listen-review-jeriq-dollar-dream/ |website=The Native}}</ref> His single ''My Bro'' and the album ''Billion Dollar Dream'' were both nominated at The Headies 2023 Awards for Best Rap Single and Best Rap Album, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Headies |first=The |date=2023-07-12 |title=CHECK OUT THE FULL 16TH HEADIES NOMINEES LIST - The Headies |url=https://theheadies.com/check-out-the-full-16th-headies-nominees-list/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Usaini |first=Nebianet |date=2023-07-12 |title=The 16th Headies Nominations: See The Full List Here |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2023/07/12/the-16th-headies-nominations-see-the-full-list-here/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Channels Television |language=en}}</ref><ref name="bill2023">{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=2023-09-04 |title=Rema, Burna Boy Top 2023 Headies Awards: Full Winners List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/headies-awards-2023-full-winners-list-rema-burna-boy-1235405814/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2023, Jeriq was featured on ''Worthy'', a track from Gen Uru's album of the same name, which was overseen by Nigerian rapper Illibliss.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aromolaran |first=Michael |date=2023-09-12 |title=Gen Uru: How Illbliss-directed Album "Worthy" Props Up Nigeria's South-East and South-South |url=https://culturecustodian.com/gen-uru-how-illbliss-directed-album-worthy-props-up-nigerias-south-east-and-south-south/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adebayo |first=Bolu |date=2023-09-04 |title=Gen Uru's "Worthy" stirs celebration at every turn. [Album Review] |url=https://albumtalks.com/gen-urus-worthy-stirs-celebration-at-every-turn-album-review/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Album Talks |language=en-US}}</ref> On May 13, 2023, he made his debut on the Billboard Afrobeat Charts, appearing at number 47 as a featured artist on Zlatan's song ''Oganigwe'', alongside Odumodublvck.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Zellner |first=Xander |date=2023-05-10 |title=10 First-Timers on Billboard's Charts This Week: Brenn!, Icandy, Sammy Rae & The Friends and More |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/billboard-charts-first-timers-brenn-icandy-1235325529/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> Later that year, ''Rolling Stone'' recognized his collaboration with Blaqbonez, ''Nyem Ego'', as one of the "40 Best Afropop Songs of 2023."<ref>{{cite magazine |date=26 December 2023 |title=The 40 Best Afropop Songs of 2023 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-40-best-afropop-songs-of-2023-1234929225/aya-nakamura-feat-sdm-daddy-1234932355/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>
Jeriq hosted the ''Jeriq Hood Concert'' at the Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium in Onitsha on November 24, 2024, with an audience of over 20,000 people.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nigeria |first=Guardian |date=2024-12-28 |title=Jeriqhood concert: Rapper sells out Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium Enugu |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/weekend-beats/jeriqhood-concert-rapper-sells-out-nnamdi-azikwe-stadium-enugu/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-01-20 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US}}</ref> On December 10, 2023, the concert took place in his hometown, Enugu, attracting 15,000 attendees at Okpara Square. He returned to Enugu for another concert on December 20, 2024, performing at the Nnamdi Azikwe stadium before an audience of 22,000. Following these events, he received a plaque from the Enugu State Ministry of Culture and Tourism in recognition of the concerts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nwafor |date=2024-12-08 |title=JeriQ's Homecoming Concert Thrills Thousands in Onitsha |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/12/jeriqs-homecoming-concert-thrills-thousands-in-onitsha/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-01-20 |newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-GB}}</ref>
In August 2024, Jeriq was named a brand ambassador for Kedu App, a digital platform for connecting Igbo people.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nigeria |first=Guardian |date=2024-08-23 |title=KEDU signs Jeriq as brand ambassador |url=https://guardian.ng/arts-2/kedu-signs-jeriq-as-brand-ambassador/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-01-20 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reporter |first=Our |date=2024-08-25 |title=IGBO RAP: Ije Nwoke croner, Jeriq, bags brand ambassadorship |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/igbo-rap-ije-nwoke-croner-jeriq-bags-brand-ambassadorship/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-01-20 |newspaper=The Nation|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Discography == {| class="wikitable" |+Albums !Title !Details |- |Billion Dollar Dream | * Released: May 26, 2022 * Format: Digital Download |- |Billion Dollar Dream (Deluxe Version) | * Released: January 26, 2023 * Format: Digital Download |- |King<ref name="Afroreview">{{cite web |last1=Chukwudera |first1=Michael Chiedoziem |title="King" Review: Jeriq Declares His Supremacy With New Album |url=https://www.afrocritik.com/jeriq-king-review/ |website=Afrocritik |access-date=28 January 2025 |date=20 August 2024}}</ref> | * Released: August 16, 2024 * Format: Digital Download |} {| class="wikitable" |+Extended Play !Title !Details |- |Hood Boy Dreams | * Released: May 6, 2020 * Format: Digital Download |- |East N West with Dremo | * Released: April 23, 2021 * Format: Digital Download |- |Evil Twin with PsychoYP<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Mamo |first1=Heran |last2=Rys |first2=Dan |title=Afrobeats Fresh Picks: Asake, Black Sherif, Highlyy, Fave, Yung D3mz, PsychoYP & More |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/best-new-afrobeats-songs-asake-black-sherif-1235593357/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |magazine=Billboard |date=31 January 2024}}</ref> | * Released: January 26, 2024 * Format: Digital Download |} == Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable" !Year !Event !Category !Work !Result !Ref |- | rowspan="2" |2023 | rowspan="2" |The Headies 2023 Awards |Best rap single |''My Bro <small>ft.</small>'' <small>(Phyno)</small> |{{nom}} | rowspan="2" |<ref name="bill2023" /> |- |Best rap album |''Billion Dollar Dream'' |{{nom}} |- |2024 |The Headies Awards |Best rap single |Ije Nwoke |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oduah |first=Henry |date=2025-02-12 |title=Full List: Odumodublvck, Ayra Starr, Mohbad jostle for top honours at 2024 Headies Awards |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/02/full-list-odumodublvck-ayra-starr-mohbad-jostle-for-top-honours-at-2024-headies-awards/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-02-12 |newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-GB}}</ref> |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Living people Category:21st-century Nigerian rappers Category:Nigerian male rappers Category:Rappers from Enugu Category:1999 births