Nigerian hip-hop artist Erhiga Agarivbie, popularly known as Erigga, expressed his frustration over his father’s sense of entitlement to his wealth, despite being absent during his upbringing.
Erigga, who left home at the age of eight and self-trained to achieve success, shared his sentiments in the latest episode of the Spill podcast With Phyna.
The rapper revealed that his father was not actively involved in raising him, but when he achieved success, his father began reaching out to him with various demands.
He criticized the entitlement mentality, questioning why his father felt entitled to his wealth when he had many years ahead to achieve success before him.
Erigga reflected on his challenging upbringing, facing the streets alone and being involved in activities that he couldn’t openly discuss.
In addressing the situation with his stepbrothers, who also acknowledged their father’s irresponsibility, Erigga pointed out that their conversations only occurred because of his success and the recognition he gained.
The rapper concluded that he couldn’t give his father the credit he sought, as he had essentially fathered himself and achieved his success independently.
He said, “When you see parents start feeling entitled, it doesn’t make sense because you had many years ahead of me, why didn’t you make it before me? People don’t really address this entitlement mentality in Africa.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
KanyiDaily recalls that Erigga had opined that many men would have made it in life if not for the lust and sexual urges God put in them.