Dagrin Influenced My Yoruba Rap Journey, Olamide Paved The Way For Me — CDQ

Indigenous Nigerian rapper, Sodiq Abubakar Yusuf, popularly known as CDQ, has recounted his early relationships with late rapper Dagrin, producer Masterkraft and singer Olamide. He revealed that they played significant roles at different stages of his journey into the Nigerian music industry.

CDQ spoke during a recent interview with Faloh Frequency, where he recalled how his early involvement in rap battles eventually connected him with some of the industry figures who helped shape his career.

Speaking about his relationship with Dagrin before meeting Masterkraft, CDQ said the late rapper was a close friend during his university days and introduced him to producer Sossick.

“Before I met Masterkraft, shout-out to Dagrin, may his soul rest in peace. At the time, Dagrin was my guy. When I was in school, I used to go for rap battles. He made me meet Sossick,” he said.

CDQ also recounted how he eventually met Masterkraft at a studio in Allen Avenue, Ikeja.

According to him, he would visit the studio whenever he was around his grandmother’s residence, while Masterkraft was working under Kennis Music at the time.

“I met Masterkraft in a studio and told him I wanted to work with him. He wasn't Yoruba, but after listening to my songs, he was interested,” CDQ said.

He explained that Jaywon and other artistes who visited the studio also became impressed by his ability.

“Jaywon used to come to that studio because Masterkraft, at the time, was working under Kennis Music. Jaywon and the other guys were impressed with my songs,” he stated.

CDQ said Kennis Music later contacted him, but he turned down the opportunity because he wanted to concentrate on his education and was still uncertain about pursuing music professionally.

“Later, Kennis Music called me. However, I declined their offer because I wanted to focus on my education, and I wasn't sure about music,” he said.

The 'Indomie' hitmaker also explained why he eventually abandoned English-language rap for Yoruba.

According to CDQ, Dagrin was not the main reason for his transition, as his decision was influenced largely by his understanding of his potential audience and what he described as the principle of market demand and supply.

“Dagrin wasn't the main influence for me in Yoruba. I used my knowledge of Economics, of market demand and supply. I observed that I was in Lagos, which is dominated by Yoruba speakers, so I thought, ‘What if I started rapping in something they understand better?’” he said.

He added that he began adapting the metaphors and punchlines he had previously used in English into Yoruba.

“I later transitioned English metaphors and punchlines into Yoruba. That was what made me decide to start rapping in Yoruba,” CDQ stated.

CDQ also discussed his relationship with Olamide, describing the YBNL founder as a motivation and one of the people who showed him love when he entered the industry fully.

“When I came into the music scene fully, Olamide was more like a motivation for me. He was there before me. When I entered the industry, Olamide Baddo was one of the first people who showed me love and paved the way for me,” he said.

The rapper recalled that his first official single, 'Business', attracted attention within the industry and eventually caught Olamide’s attention.

“There was one song called ‘Business’. As of then, I think I already got a record label deal. That song got massive love in the industry. There's something called, ‘You blow in the industry first before you blow outside the industry,’” CDQ said.

He recalled meeting Olamide at a birthday party in Lekki, where the singer sang along to the lyrics of his song.

CDQ also spoke about his assessment of hit songs in the Nigerian music industry, saying that if asked to identify an artiste with a large catalogue of hits, he would choose Wizkid.

“If I am asked who has a great number of hit songs in the music industry, I'll say Wizkid. If they bring out Wizkid's catalogue, we will know that he's not anybody's mate,” he said.

When asked to choose between Odumodublvck and BlaqBonez, CDQ picked BlaqBonez musically but selected Odumodublvck when personality was considered.

“Music-wise, I'll say BlaqBonez, but personality-wise, I'll say Odumodu,” he said.

The rapper subsequently chose BlaqBonez over Falz, Ice Prince, Reminisce and Vector when asked to make a series of comparisons.