Tiwa Savage’s ex-husband, Tunji ‘Teebillz’ Balogun, has said that he practically gave his life to make Nigeria’s reigning hip hop/afro stars like Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy.
He said he and another Nigerian singer, Babalola Falemi, aka Sauce Kid, inspired the tradition, noting that he felt proud and confident to say so.
In an IG post on Sunday, he also acknowledged veteran Nigerian Disk Jockey, DJ Jimmy Jatt, who motivated him when the song, Yebariba Samboribobo, was released in 2006.
Teebillz wrote, “@djjimmyjatt, the first DJ that I played Yebariba Samboribobo for. I gave him N500,000 in 2006 to break my record!
“He rejected the money at Tantalizer, off Adeniran Ogunsaya! He told me I just created something that will put Naija hip hop on the map for life.”
According to him, his post was inspired by a documentary about the life of American rapper, Kanye West, titled Jeen-Yuhs.
“Watching Kanye’s documentary reminded me of how great I am! I’ve been on my lows and I’ve been so scared but I’m that guy that put Naija hiphop and female game on the map.
“I’m not crazy. I’m the f**king best! I’m not perfect but the truth doesn’t need any explanations! It already explained itself.
“I gave my life for this sh*t and almost took my life for this your favourite (artistes) right now.
“Davido, Wizkid, Burna and all those new boys know how Sauce Kid and I influenced dem without a cap! I’m grateful they took it beyond our dreams.”
