Nigerian rapper Jeremiah Chukwuebuka Ani, popularly known as Jeriq, has revealed that music played a major role in keeping him away from vices and saving him from ending up in prison.
The Enugu-born rapper disclosed this during a candid interview with YouTuber The Smallie, where he spoke openly about his troubled past and how music became a turning point in his life.
According to Jeriq, he was arrested several times by law enforcement agencies while growing up, due to his involvement in vices. He said encounters with the police and anti-cult units were frequent during that period.
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“I have been arrested multiple times by law enforcement agencies due to vices. If you look at my hands and legs, you will see scars of handcuffs. Anti-cult, police have all arrested me before,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey, the rapper credited music for changing the direction of his life.
“Thank God for music. If not for music, I would probably be in prison by now,” Jeriq added.
He also recounted the challenges he faced when he first moved to Lagos to pursue his music career, noting that the lack of recognition made it difficult to connect with established artists.
“The first time I came to Lagos, I wasn’t popping, so I didn’t get any opportunity to meet artists. It was difficult to collaborate with anyone because I was still upcoming,” he explained.
Jeriq said things changed when he returned to Lagos in 2021, a period he described as a breakthrough moment in his career. He noted that he was then able to record a collaborative EP with rapper Dremo titled East and West.
The rapper further expressed confidence in his artistic direction, saying he believes he can achieve international success while rapping in his native Igbo language.
Jeriq’s story has resonated with fans online, with many praising his honesty and describing his journey as an example of how creativity can redirect lives toward a positive path.
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