At The New Daily Prime, we had the privilege of conducting an exclusive interview with the fast-rising food content creator, Idrees Rasheed. As part of our commitment to bringing readers accurate and firsthand information, we sat down with Rasheed, popularly known as Balogun, who shared valuable insights into his background and creative journey. Truth be told, Idrees Rasheed’s jovial personality shines through not just in his content but also in his everyday interactions.
Idrees Rasheed’s family background
As we all know, a person’s background plays a major role in shaping their path to success. For Idrees Rasheed, his roots are deeply grounded in a strong sense of community and collective action. Until 2018, he lived with his family in Lagos. He grew up in a household of seven, but with the constant presence of his father’s apprentices, the number in the home often swelled to between fifteen and twenty people.
Idrees is one of six children; he has two sisters and three brothers. Cooking was a daily necessity, given the size of the household. As a boy, he initially felt that the kitchen wasn’t a space meant for him, but his father insisted that he assist his mother with meal preparation. It was in that kitchen, watching his mother cook a variety of soups, that Idrees developed a particular interest in making morsels.
He proudly refers to himself as a “don” when it comes to making amala, regardless of the quantity. Interestingly, although he spent time in the kitchen, he notes that he didn’t learn to cook in a structured way from his mother; it was more a matter of natural exposure that gradually sparked his culinary passion.
How Idrees, the chef, came to play
According to Idrees Rasheed, his background in communal cooking truly came into play after he relocated to the United States in 2018 with his sister. Like many immigrants starting afresh, survival was the first goal. He began working at a local restaurant as a dishwasher, adjusting to life in what he calls “a new man’s land.” At home, his sister did most of the cooking, and by simply observing her prepare meals daily, he unknowingly continued his culinary education.
As the saying goes, when opportunity knocks, open the door wide. When the salad chef at his workplace left unexpectedly, Idrees seized the moment and pitched himself for the role. His boss gave him a chance, and he dove in headfirst, learning on the job. In no time, he became a skilled appetizer chef, confidently preparing calamari and a variety of appetizers.
For anyone who watches Idrees Rasheed’s food content today, one standout feature is his impressive knife skills. He credits this finesse to over four years of hands-on experience in commercial kitchens. As his culinary journey progressed, he moved to another restaurant where he specialized as a pasta chef, further expanding his repertoire.
Today, Idrees works full-time as a remote database administrator. The flexibility of this role allows him to continue pursuing his passion for cooking and experimenting with new dishes in his spare time. It’s a rare blend of tech and taste, and Idrees is making it work in his unique way.
His content creation journey
“I have always loved being in front of the camera and wanted the world to know about me,” Idrees Rasheed shared.
His journey into content creation began during the 2020 lockdown, when he started casually experimenting with the camera, just for fun, with no serious intentions at the time. However, things took a more meaningful turn in 2023 when the late content creator, Afobaje, inspired him. Known for his unique Yoruba voiceovers and culturally rich storytelling, Afobaje became a role model for Idrees.
Although they never met in person, their brief interaction left a lasting impression. Afobaje had responded to one of Idrees’ comments on a post just days before his untimely death. Idrees recalled that he was on his way to film a wedding vlog when the news of Afobaje’s passing broke. The loss hit him hard and served as a turning point, pushing him to take content creation more seriously, both as a form of expression and as a tribute to a creator he deeply admired.
Following the initial spark in content creation, Idrees turned to his sister for advice: should he produce his videos using Yoruba or English voiceovers? Her response was pragmatic—she suggested using English to avoid limiting his target audience. Unsure of which direction to take, Idrees decided to try both, recording his content in both languages to see which resonated more.
In 2024, during a visit to Nigeria, he spent time with his cousins and shared his concerns about content limitations. At the time, he was leaning towards lifestyle content but feared running out of ideas. One cousin gave him a liberating piece of advice: “You can post anything you want.” That simple encouragement became a turning point.
Shortly after, Idrees recorded a cooking video where he grilled fish and narrated it in both English and Yoruba. When he showed both versions to his sister, the same one who had earlier advised against Yoruba, she surprisingly chose the Yoruba version as her favorite. Idrees was stunned. “It was this same sister who told me Yoruba might limit my audience,” he recalled with a laugh.
He posted the Yoruba version on TikTok—and to his surprise, it went viral. The video attracted a wave of followers and engagement. Describing his content journey as “swift and fast,” Idrees said everything seemed to happen all at once.
Riding on the momentum, Idrees doubled down on food content. On September 9—his birthday—he decided to cook what he described as an “iyalaya egusi” (a bold, rich version of Nigeria’s famous melon seed soup) packed with every imaginable ingredient. He posted the video on TikTok and Instagram, and once again, it exploded online. That moment became a major turning point in his career.
Among those who shared his video was popular influencer Tunde Ednut, along with several lifestyle blogs. While the post garnered widespread attention, it also drew mixed reactions. Some people praised his creativity, while others criticized his method of cooking. But Idrees stayed unfazed. “I didn’t respond to the negative comments,” he said. “I just continued doing my thing.”
The balance between Balogun’s military career and his content creation journey
“Balogun” is the name Idrees adopted for himself when he began basic military training in October last year. In preparation for his time away, he recorded a large batch of cooking videos in advance, which his sister helped upload while he was in training. At that time, his content was gaining serious traction online. His sister played a vital role in maintaining the momentum, posting videos and even responding to comments so accurately that many viewers didn’t realize it wasn’t Idrees himself behind the screen.
According to Idrees, his military service is not full-time active duty, but a reserved role that requires him to report for drills at least once a month. While he rarely talks about this aspect of his life publicly—citing the regimented nature of the service—it’s a significant part of his identity.
Still, Balogun, as he is now widely known, is more than just a man in uniform. He is a tech-savvy professional working remotely as a database administrator, who also happens to be carving a unique space for himself in the content creation world. With discipline from the military, precision from tech, and flair from the kitchen, Idrees Rasheed—aka Balogun—is a blend of structure and creativity, tradition and innovation.
The inspiration behind Balogun’s voiceovers
“My dad doesn’t speak English, neither does my mum,” Balogun says, reflecting on the linguistic and cultural roots that continue to shape his identity.
Raised in a traditional Yoruba-speaking household, Balogun, born Idrees Rasheed, grew up in an environment where the native language was the default mode of communication. Even after relocating to the United States, his fluency in Yoruba remained impeccable. This linguistic foundation would later become a defining element of his brand, especially through his expressive and culturally rich voiceovers.
Balogun is also a passionate fan of evergreen music. He prefers the soulful sounds of the older generation to the fast-paced rhythms of modern hip-hop. To him, contemporary songs are often too brief to offer real depth. He is drawn to the authenticity and substance of classic tracks, qualities he feels are often missing in today’s music.
His love for music was seeded early. As a child, he was constantly surrounded by the soothing sounds of Ayinla Omowura, one of his mother’s favorite artists. He vividly recalls being glued to her radio, soaking in calming indigenous tunes. By age 14, he could sing many of these songs word for word. Among his favorites is Ebenezer Obey, whose music he cherishes not only for its melody but for the timeless wisdom it carries.
Fuji music also played a major role in his upbringing. In his home, Saheed Osupa was the preferred artist, considered the “omo agba” (elder’s child) choice due to his philosophical lyrics and use of proverbs. Pasuma’s music, in contrast, was seen as more aligned with street culture and was unofficially off-limits at home.
However, after relocating abroad, Balogun began experimenting with different sounds, including Pasuma’s fuji. To his surprise, he found joy and simplicity in it. In his own words: “Saheed Osupa is like further mathematics—I can understand it, but Pasuma is simple maths and fun to listen to.” That contrast gave him a broader appreciation for both styles.
Today, Balogun seamlessly weaves his love of music into his content. He often takes a snippet from a song he enjoys and creates a relatable, engaging response for his audience. His ability to connect culture, nostalgia, and humor gives his content a lively, authentic tone, making it resonate deeply with viewers across generations.
The joy of content creation for Idrees
Balogun emphasized that content creation has opened doors he never imagined. It has brought him widespread visibility, overwhelming love, and genuine support from fans and fellow creatives alike. His family, he noted, has been his strongest pillar, constantly encouraging and expressing pride in his journey.
His growing influence hasn’t gone unnoticed. Members of Davido’s team have personally reached out to commend his exceptional work in food content creation. Most notably, Davido himself recently followed Balogun on Instagram, making him one of the most high-profile supporters of the fast-rising chef and content creator.
Among his notable admirers is Eti Oba, one of Nigeria’s most respected and widely followed content creators. The endorsement, according to Balogun, is deeply meaningful. “It brings me so much joy to know that other content creators appreciate and support my work,” he shared.
With growing popularity comes recognition both online and in real life. Balogun recounted moments when strangers approached him in public just to applaud his efforts and encourage him to keep going.
Despite all this attention, he candidly noted that he has yet to receive direct financial support or ambassadorial deals. Still, the momentum is undeniable. With his reach expanding daily and his authenticity resonating across audiences, it seems only a matter of time before major opportunities come calling. As many would say, fame may have arrived, but fortune is just around the corner.
Idrees Rasheed, a.k.a Balogun, moving forward
“I don’t want people to see me only as a food content creator… I don’t want to be boxed in. There’s so much more I can do beyond food.”
These were the words of Idrees Rasheed, aka Balogun, as he reflected on the future of his creative journey.
From our conversation, it became clear that Idrees is a vibrant wellspring of creativity, determined not to be limited to a single niche. While his food content may have put him on the map, he is eager to explore other storytelling formats and concepts. “I can do a lot of amazing things,” he said confidently, “except dancing,” he added with a laugh.
For Balogun, content creation is not just about trends or virality; it’s about being in the right mental space and walking in God’s purpose. Though many have suggested he explore large-scale food events like a cookathon, that’s not where he sees his path. Instead, he envisions expanding his creative brand with one constant: the Yoruba language. He believes his authentic use of Yoruba is a unique strength that will continue to set him apart and elevate his work.
As he evolves as a creator, Idrees promises to deliver more diverse, compelling, and jaw-dropping content. His goal? To remain consistent, stay grounded, and keep surprising his audience, one culturally rich story at a time
