Erigga Opens Up About Self-Raising Struggles and Father’s Unexpected Demands

Nigerian hip-hop sensation, Erhiga Agarivbie, popularly known as Erigga, has candidly shared his challenges of self-raising since the tender age of eight.

In a recent episode of the “Spill With Phyna” podcast, the Warri-born rapper expressed his frustration, revealing that despite facing the streets alone and overcoming numerous obstacles to achieve success, his father now feels entitled to his wealth.

Erigga highlighted that his father played no role in his upbringing, and it was only after he achieved prominence that his father began making demands and reaching out to him.

Addressing the issue of parental entitlement, Erigga emphasized the lack of logic in such expectations, questioning why his father didn’t succeed before him.

“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,” Erigga expressed.

Reflecting on his challenging upbringing, Erigga disclosed, “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.”

Despite the hardships, Erigga’s passion for music became a guiding light. He explained, “I had 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.”

However, the rapper expressed frustration at his father’s sudden expectations, stating, “Then many years later, I now become Erigga, and somebody comes and says, ‘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.”

Erigga acknowledged that even his stepbrothers, who previously claimed their father’s negligence, have approached him, seeking forgiveness. Yet, he emphasized that these conversations only happen because of his current status.