NIGERIAN ARTISTS WHO WENT FROM FAMOUS TO NOT BEING SO FAMOUS

1.  IDRIS ABDULKAREEM

Abdulkareem's solo debut album, P.A.S.S. ("Pains And Stress = Success") was released in 2002 on Kennis Music, and it was received well by Hip-Hop fans he was known for his controversial lyrics and taking shots at other celebrities. Released the same year (and also on Kennis Music Imprint ) was the album titled Mr. Lecturer and this featured Abdulkareem's first video hit, the album's title track, which addressed the problem of students using money and sex to solicit higher grades in Nigerian colleges and universities, as well as Male lecturers exploiting female students and requesting sex and money in exchange for good grades. In 2004, Abdulkareem's third album, Jaga Jaga, appeared on Kennis. Its title track, which laments the corruption and suffering in Nigeria, was banned from radio airplay by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in a televised address, although it continued to be played in nightclubs. Abdulkareem came to international attention as a result of a scuffle with American rapper 50 Cent on board an airplane at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos. By all accounts, Abdulkareem had tried to occupy 50 Cent's seat, resulting in a fight between Abdulkareem, his friends, and 50 Cent's bodyguards. This started his downfall as many Nigerians thought he gave us a bad image in the international world. He has tried staging several comebacks but it seems everyone had moved on.

2.  X-PROJECT

The fresh and hot group artistes came with a one hit wonder which quickly became the hottest rave of the moment. "L'Orile" featuring Konga. The song was so huge back then, because it was different from the usual Nigerian music we were used to. Everyone thought they were here to stay. Little did we know the group was going to struggle to get another hit like that again. They fizzled out when they couldn't offer any more trending music.

3.  KAZ

Am sure we all remeeber that song "Fimile Baby Fimile.. Mi o se mo baby Fimile". Mr Kazz came with that yankee swagger from diaspora and dropped the hit song that got everyone going gaaga in a fresh manner. His quick fame got a first class performance on several shows in Lagos and everyone loved his style of music. But almost 4 years after he dropping the single, we are yet to hear another Hit song from KAZ. We do hope he does another hit very soon.

4.  WIERD MC

The controversial artist with that tomboy swag, dropped the popular song called "Ijoya" from her 2003 Album. Wierd MC had the hearts of NIgerians because she had this "I Dont Care" attitude to her and her fans were loving it. The popular musician featured in several songs with several artists especially collaboration with PSquare on Bizzy Body, she also got several shows. But now all we get from her is appearance in entertainment shows. Wierd isn't it?

5.  LYNXXX

He is a Nigerian hip-hop recording artist and entrepreneur. In 2010 he released his debut studio album This is Lynxxx and went on to become the first Nigerian artist to be endorsed by the global brand Pepsi. He is the originator of Jollof Musik - a genre he describes as "an artful blend of music to


create great music. - Wikipedia. He released the "Fine Fine Lady" single and everyone thought was this guy is fresh and this song is on point. But as usual after that, we dint get anymore music from lynxxx. The best we see of Lynxxx is him featuring as guest appearances on other artistes videos and Glo billboard ADs. Maybe he realized he is more of a model than a musician. Because his fine looks sure is working for him.

6.  DBANJ

Dbanj's case is an unfortunate one. Who ever thought koko master, the Tongolo master will be lost in the entertainment world. The Multi Award winning artist started his music career with a Big Bang. His 2012 summer hit "Oliver Twist", an uptempo dance fusion of Afrobeat and electronic dance music that topped the African charts 2011 and was a top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012 reaching No. 2 on the UK R&B chart.song Oliver Twist produced by his then partner Don Jazzy got him the international recognition he had always wanted. Even Kanye west got on the train and signed the Koko Master to his record Label Good Music. Everyone thought that was it for Dbanj, He had reached his peak of success, I mean Yeezy signed Dbanj? Everyone couldn't get enough of the gist as it became even more juicer when he had to split with his long time partner and producer Don Jazzy. Dbanj was really On Top of the World and everyone wanted to be a part of the success. Fast forward a few years later, Dbanj couldn't live up to his fan's expectation and fame. His new released songs lacked content and began to sound like a broken record. His fans started wandering, what happened to our Entertainer. Koko master decided to re-brand and started going by the name Ejan Nla (Big Fish), claiming he now rolls with the big boys. While Dbanj was busy rolling with the big boys, the Industry was moving forward (without him) and today Dbanj is no more relevant in the industry. All the endorsement deals have gone to the younger artistes that sprung up after he left the industry to chase his american dream. Even his ex partner Don Jazzy became more relevant and popular with hit songs like dorrobucci, eminado, etc. There are also rumors speculating he was dropped by Yezzy's Label for lack of Good Music. even his multiple shows couldn't save him from the downward hill. We are really rooting for Dbanj and hope he stages a comeback.

7.  BLACK FACE

Blackface is a Nigerian dancehall, ragga and reggae singer and songwriter. He was part of the popular r'n'b group plantainshun boys. He is best known as co-writer of "African Queen" with 2face Idibia, a song made famous by the latter after it appeared on his debut solo album Face 2 Face in 2004 to become an international hit. Blackface was a founding member of the Nigerian band Plantashun Boyz that he formed in 2000 with Tuface (also known as 2face Idibia) and musician Chibuzor Oji (better known as Faze). Blackface and Tuface had met in 1996 when they were studying at the Institute of Management Technology (IMT) in Enugu. Faze joined a brief while later. The band released two successful albums Body and Soul in 2000 and Sold Out in 2003. The band broke up in 2004, to be briefly reunited in 2007 for just one more album Plan B. Although he kept sustainable relations with Faze, his rift with Tuface (2face Idibia) widened, particularly over the rights to the song "African Queen". He has managed to sustain his music career but its just not working. Well... Not yet