Eldee

Infobox Musical artist


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Name = Eldee
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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Lanre Dabiri
Alias = The Don
Born = May 23
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Origin = Zaria, Nigeria
Instrument = Rapping
Genre = Afro hip hop
Occupation = Rapper, record producer
Years_active = 1998 - present
Label = Trybe Records
Associated_acts = Trybesmen, Da Trybe, OlaDELe
URL = [http://www.eldeethedon.com/ Official Website]
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Lanre Dabiri, known by his stage name Eldee, is a Nigerian American rapper, record producer and a qualified architect. "Lanre" is a nickname for the Yoruba name "Olanrewaju" (meaning "My wealth is the future"). [ [http://www.nigerian.name/w/index.php?title=Olanrewaju Meaning of Olanrewaju in Nigerian.name] ] He studied Architecture at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He is an original member of the band Trybesmen, which was started in 1998 with rappers KB and Freestyle. He has been based in Atlanta, USA since 2002.

Early Life

Lanre Dabiri aka “eLDee the Don” is the founder of Trybe Records. A music producer, recording artist, and a qualified architect.Born May 23rd and raised in Kaduna, a city in Northern Nigeria, eLDee’s love for music and the arts started at a very young age.In 1998, eLDee and his high school friend, “Kaboom” teamed up with “Freestyle”, and the group Trybesmen was born. Subsequently, eLDee founded his own independent label (Trybe Records) to support the group, and took the Nigerian music scene by storm with two hits in 1999; “Trybal Marks” and “Shake Bodi”. Trybesmen’s debut album “L.A.G. Style” was a massive hit and still a cult-classic. eLDee, as the head of Trybesmen and Trybe Records, engineered what has now become the music genre most call Afro-hip hop/Afro-pop. With Trybesmen’s undeniably incredible blend of Afro beat, Reggae, Highlife and hip hop, and with over 78 sold-out shows in one year, it was no surprise that Trybesmen became a force to be reckoned with across West Africa.Trybe Records also created a platform for new talents that would help achieve the goal of placing African Hip Hop/African Pop on the international map. Trybe Records boasts of developing successful artists such as Sasha, who won the Kora’s Most Promising Artist Award in 2004, 2Shots, Lequse, olaDele, Timi, and Sid, who is now a member of the “Mo-hits Records” label.eLDee came up with a collaboration of all the artists on the record label, named them “Da Trybe” and solidified Trybe Records” place as a force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian Music Industry with hits such as “Work it out” and “Oya” in 2002, and the album “BIG Picture” in 2005. Making a move to the United States in 2002, eLDee recorded a solo album titled “Long Time Coming” and followed up with “Return of the King” in 2006.

“Return of the King” was very well received earning him various nominations and awards for both videos and songs including the Nigerian Entertainment Award for “Best International Album”.eLDee, though currently living between Nigeria and the United States is a household name both in Africa and in the African communities abroad. He has been featured on numerous international radio stations both in Europe, Asia and the USA. Back home in Nigeria, the hit-music playlist is incomplete without eLDee. His personal hits like “I go yarn”, “Champion”, “African Chiquito” and “Bosi Gbangba” have been aired on radio stations all over the world. eLDee has also been featured in countless local and international magazines and newspaper articles and remains one of the most RESPECTED artist/producer out of West Africa, on the international scene.eLDee has emerged as a multi talented professional. eLDee has worked with various artists of various nationalities, doing various styles, producing amazing music and creating great videos. eLDee has produced and directed numerous videos both for Nigerian and international artists and is able to bring anyone into his world of creativity in an effortless manner.eLDee’s resume not only brags about his work as an artist, producer and video director, but also as an interactive media genius. His business resume boasts of clients like CNN, D3 Publishing, Hines, Accenture, Andersen, Kimberly Clark, Naruto, Primedia, NBA, UPS, Cartoon Network, Consumer Source, Warner Bros, just to name a few of the fortune 500 companies he has had the opportunity to design and develop for with an Atlanta based firm. eLDee and his group of colleagues have received numerous national and international awards for design and advertising media campaigns.eLDee writes and produces most of his music, and owns all rights to his works through his reign of over a decade. His much-anticipated album “Evolution” is due out later this year (2008) and promises the world, true music, pure energy, and undeniable versatility. Keeping the world at the edge of their seats, everyone awaits the “Evolution” which boasts of club bangers, great music, and international artist collaborations. “Evolution” is one of eLDee”s most important work yet!Lanre Dabiri, aka “eLDee the Don”, a business mogul.

For more information on eLDee please visit www.eldeethedon.com

Trybe Records

Trybe Records was conceived by Eldee in 1998 and has sinced signed six artists with two albums to its credit. "Trybe gear", the clothing line is also in the pipelines. Eldee wishes to take hiphop to the lifestyle level and is well on the way to becoming a "master P" in his own rights.Eldee hopes to be remembered as the one of the pioneers of Hiphop in Africa and intends to make sure the African voice remains as loud as to be heard and respected all over the planet.

Discography

Albums

*2004: "Long Time Coming"
*2006: "Return Of The King"
*2008: "eVolution"

Compilations

*2000: "L.A.G Style"
*2004: "The Big Picture"
*2008: "The Trybe Mixtape"

See also

* African hip hop
* Nigerian hip hop
* Music of Nigeria

References

External links

* [http://www.eldeethedon.com/ Official Website]
* [http://www.thenewtryberecords.com/ The New Trybe Records]
* [http://www.myspace.com/eldeeonline Official Myspace]
* [http://www.mytruspot.com/eldeeonline eLDee in Truspot]
* [http://www.museke.com/node/938 Eldee's lyrics, audio, video, bio]
* [http://www.nigerianentertainment.com/NEMar05/eldee.htm Interview with Eldee]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/world/onyourstreet/ram/aoys_plenty.ram Listen to a clip of a Trybesmen single from the BBC Website]
* [http://www.naijapals.com/?L=video.index&id=80 Watch Eldee's video: Champion]