Veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem’s protest track “Tell Your Papa” is gaining traction online despite being banned by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for violating broadcast codes.
The song, which slams President Bola Tinubu’s administration, jumped from 22,754 to over 82,000 views on YouTube, with 2,600 likes. Spotify streams have also surpassed 30,000 showing the ban hasn’t stopped public interest.
Abdulkareem compared the situation to the 2004 censorship of his hit “Jaga Jaga,” accusing the government of silencing criticism. “In Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism are treated like crimes,” he posted on Instagram.
The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) criticized the ban, warning it could fuel more online interest.
Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka also condemned the move, calling it a threat to free speech. Speaking from NYU Abu Dhabi, he joked, “The musician should be proscribed… PMAN too,” before adding, “I haven’t heard the song, but I support the principle. Mr. Abdulkareem must be laughing to the bank.”
Online, fans are rallying behind the track. “There is no single lie in the song,” wrote YouTube user Sheggzyunited. Another, Asa Anthony, said: “They banned it because the message hit hard. We stream harder.”
