Veteran Nigerian singer Lanre Dabiri, better known as Eldee, claims his father was the first to bring the internet to Nigeria.
The musician-turned-real estate agent made the claim in a recent interview with media personality JOI, adding that his father was in charge of building Internet cafes and technology companies at the time.
The entertainer, who now lives in the US with his family, said that although he studied architecture at university, he inherited his ICT knowledge from his father.
Eldi said; “My father was the one who brought the internet and was the first to bring it to Nigeria.
So, he built pretty much everyone; all the first companies, every first internet cafe you know. All these connections come from my pop music.
“He was an IT guy. So naturally, by association, I was a good fit for IT even though I studied architecture.”
At the same time, he recently said that it’s been a source of pride and joy to watch Wizkid, Davido, and the rest of the new generation of Afrobeats artists succeed and be recognized globally.
Speaking to Hip TV, the “One Day” singer said it was like a father watching his kid succeed.
According to Eldee, he was overwhelmed to witness the current Nigerian entertainer making waves in other countries.
He also spoke about a recent family trip to five European countries and how he observed Afrobeats music making waves in non-black settlements.
Eldy said; you know, fathers who watch their kids become very, very successful.That’s it [Afrobeats artists’ growth] Give me the feeling. Nothing gives me more joy.
Recently, last year actually, our family went on vacation in Europe. We went to five countries. In every city we’ve been in, even in Venice, there’s probably only two other black people there.
We are the only black family in all of Venice. We walked into the store and they were playing Afrobeats. From Rema to Joeboy to Fireboy to Burna Boy to Wizkid to Davido to Tiwa Savage everywhere.
We listened to the radio in Paris, Latin radio, and they were playing Afrobeats. If you know what happened in Nigeria in 1995 or 1997-98, some of it will be exciting. It’s exciting because in Nigeria, you can’t hear our own music on Nigerian radio.