CDQ has become one of the most recognisable voices of the street in the Nigerian music industry. Rapping in the local Yoruba language, the rapper made his breakthrough with the release of the banger “Woss!” and for his verse on the Masterkraft produced “Indomie”. However, CDQ did not start with rapping in the local language.
The rapper explained in an episode of HIPTV’s On The Street that started his music career with English as his dominant language. CDQ was back up singer for then-Chocolate City duo, MI Abaga and Iceprince.
He stated that his relationship with the two artistes, who are now superstars, started way before they blew.
“I started as an English rapper. Then I used to do backup for Iceprince and MI back in the days when I was in school.”
He said when he met rapper, Dagrin, in 2008 the deceased rapper encouraged him to do music in his local language. Q. said while he was backup singer for the duo, he was not sure he would do music professionally.
“ Before I met Dagrin in 2008 I was just doing it for fun, I didn’t know I would be professional with this thing. Then Dagrin was like: ‘Yo, guy you’ve got nice tone; nice delivery. But what if you put this thing in your local dialect? Don’t you think you’d get more connected with your fans more?’”
CDQ said he decided to give it a try. When the style started working for him he could not stop again. He continued to rap in Yoruba language.
Since first breaking out in 2015, CDQ has released a slew of hit songs such as: “Vanessa” and more recently “Nawo E Soke” and “Gbayi” with Wizkid and Kiss Daniel.