How Music Pulled Jeriq Back From the Brink of Prison

Nigerian rapper Jeriq has opened up about his turbulent early years and how music became the force that steered him away from a dangerous path.

In a candid interview with YouTuber The Smallie, the Enugu-born artist shared that before his breakthrough in music, he had been arrested multiple times by law enforcement due to involvement in street vices, including encounters with anti-cult units and the police, leaving visible scars on his wrists and ankles from handcuffs.

“Thank God for music. If not for music, I would probably be in prison by now,” Jeriq told his interviewer.

Growing up, Jeriq faced an environment where negative influences were hard to escape. Rather than succumb to street life, he found an outlet in writing, performing, and creating music, a pursuit that gave him focus, discipline, and a sense of purpose at a critical time. Music didn’t just become a hobby; it became his literal means of survival and a future he could believe in.

Jeriq’s journey into the mainstream music industry was not smooth. When he first arrived in Lagos to pursue his career, he struggled to connect with established artists and build collaborations, largely because he was still an unknown. Those early challenges made progress slow and uncertain. But after returning to Lagos in 2021, he landed a collaborative EP with rapper Dremo titled East and West, marking a turning point that helped elevate his profile in Nigeria’s competitive music scene.

What makes Jeriq’s story particularly compelling is how it mirrors larger movements in African music today, where artists not only seek personal success but also embrace cultural identity. Jeriq frequently raps in his native Igbo language, believing that authenticity and cultural expression are strengths that can resonate globally, rather than hindrances. His confidence in the international appeal of indigenous languages reflects broader trends in the Afrobeats and hip-hop communities, where local sounds and identities are gaining worldwide appreciation.

Born in 1999 in Nkpor and raised in Enugu, Jeriq began his musical journey in 2015 and has steadily grown into one of Nigeria’s promising hip-hop talents. His works, including projects like Hood Boy Dream and his debut album Billion Dollar Dream, have earned critical attention and expanded his fanbase. Beyond his music, his personal narrative from potential prison to artistic promise has become a powerful testament to resilience and the transformative power of creativity.

Jeriq’s testimony is more than a success story; it’s a message of hope for many young people facing tough circumstances. It shows how passion, when paired with dedication, can not only change a person’s destiny but also inspire others to pursue their talents and rise above adversity.