Erigga, the Nigerian hip-hop artist widely known as Erhiga Agarivbie, recently expressed his frustration, highlighting that despite facing hardships and self-training from a young age, his father now feels entitled to his success.
In an episode of the Spill With Phyna podcast, Erigga revealed that his father was absent during his upbringing but started making demands and reaching out once he attained success.
The rapper addressed the issue of entitlement among parents, particularly mentioning his journey: “When you see parents start feeling entitled, it doesn’t make sense because you had many years ahead of me, why didn’t make it before me? People don’t really address this entitlement mentality in Africa.”
Erigga recounted a challenging childhood, facing the streets alone and engaging in activities he couldn’t discuss openly.
He reflected on the risks he took and the potential consequences, considering the fate of those he associated with during that period.
“I was facing the street alone. I was involved in too many things that I can’t even say on camera. And I just keep wondering like what if I was shot or arrested? Because most of the people I was with then are either dead or in jail.
“I’ve to start raising myself at the age of 8. I started living with my friends and learning bad habits. But then again, I fell in love with music at a very tender age so I knew where I wanted to be regardless of where I was,” he said
Having navigated a tumultuous upbringing and found solace in music, Erigga emphasized his commitment to his passion despite adverse circumstances.
He expressed frustration at someone suddenly claiming a familial bond after being absent during crucial formative years, asserting, “Then many years later, I now become Erigga then somebody comes and say, ‘Yo! You’re not taking care of me. You’re not doing this and that.’ And I’m like, ‘Bro, na relations we be because you no father the father wey you suppose father normally. I don father myself alone. And I can’t give you the credit.”
The artist acknowledged conversations with his stepbrothers, who shared similar sentiments regarding their father’s absence.
All my stepbrothers started begging me to forgive our dad, saying he wasn’t also responsible to them. But at the end of the day, they are only having the conversation with me because I am who I am.
However, Erigga emphasized that these discussions primarily occurred because of his status and success in the public eye.
