Nigeria: Eedris Apologises to 50 Cent At KORA Night

Nigeria: Eedris Apologises to 50 Cent At KORA Night

Daily Trust (Abuja)

23 December 2007
Posted to the web 26 December 2007

Abdulkareem Baba Aminu
Abuja

The long-standing feud between Nigerian singing superstar Eedris Abdulkareem and international rap star 50 Cent was brought to an abrupt, shocking end Thursday night at the media launch of the KORA Awards in Abuja.

Right after the American artiste's performance, the compere announced to 50 Cent and the audience that "An African brother is going to come onstage and show you some African love." Abdulkareem surfaced from a corner into the spotlight, causing the audience to erupt in applause as soon as it was clear who he was.

50 Cent, already seated, was met by Abdulkareem and they shook hands. "I'm sorry," said Eedris, to the visible surprise of the entire audience, who are familiar with the feud between the duo, which began two years ago when 50 Cent visited Nigeria for the Star Mega Jam that both stars were billed to perform at. After the apology, Eedris performed a song which preached about African brotherhood. Soon after, he bounced offstage, vanishing into the shadows, leaving a smile on 50 Cent's face.

The quarrel between the two was caused by seating arrangements on a plane taking the stars to Port Harcourt from Abuja.

Eedris could not be reached for comment, as his mobile phone was off as of press time. "This is the highlight of the evening," said Audu Maikori, CEO of Chocolate City Records and the current International Music Entrepreneur. "KORA's debut appearance in Nigeria is indeed a noteworthy one. I mean, if they can fix things between 50 [Cent] and Eedris, then they are obviously bridge-builders," he added.

A fan, who was also a guest at the event, was thrilled at the development and exclaimed: "Eedris and Fiddy...made up? Wow!"

But another guest frowned at the development, saying 50 Cent should have apologised too, "to balance the situation."

The KORA awards were previously held in South Africa, with next year's outing being the first edition to be held in Nigeria.