By Chris Onuoha

2025 could not have began as a better year for Ani Jeremiah Chukwuebuka as he bowed out in style from 2024. On the night of the 21st December 2024, Jeriq added another feather to his cap, making history as he sold out the 30,000+ capacity Nnamdi Azikiwe stadiums, Enugu after selling out the 20,000+ capacity Chuba Ikpeazu, Onitsha in one month. And late in 2023, he had also had the 15,000 capacity Okpara square in Enugu, filled in and out.

This achievement by Jeriq which went viral across all social media platforms, is the first of its kind among rappers in Nigeria. Jeriq’s fanbase and its popularity has since morphed into a movement that branches across music, everyday life, and even fashion.

On his social media page, the morning after the show, Jeriq posted a video of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium the night before and it was nothing short of electric. On twitter, Jeriq’s post and achievements have also gone viral, and even new audiences are beginning to catch up with Jeriq’s music.

Two of the main achievements is that it has spotlighted the music scene in Southeastern Nigeria where Jeriq’s rise to stardom began. Jeriq’s movement is part of the driving force behind the change in narrative about the Nigerian music scene, which a lot of people believe, not factually, is situated in Lagos only. Also it has proven that hip hop is not dead, as a popular Nigerian musician once said, but that hip hop is an active and breathing culture.

And of his generation of rappers, Jeriq is already on the path to ascendancy as the greatest. Not only does he have the charisma and the popularity, but also a thriving culture behind him. Jeriq has become the face of the trap movement, and with each passing day, the movement keeps growing. WIth his break out EP, “Hood Boy Dreams” and two albums, “Billion Dollar Dream” and “King” under his belt, the timeline of Jeriq’s evolution is well laid out and evident, and his story makes for an exciting one to look out for in 2025 and in the years beyond. Moreso, now that he has raised the bar high by becoming the first Nigerian rapper in history to sell out two shows in the space of one month in Onitsha and Enugu between November and December.