CDQ

Sodiq Abubakar Yusuf (born May 6, 1985), widely known by his stage name CDQ (an acronym for General Records boss), is a Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter prominent in the hip hop and Afrobeats genres. He is recognized for his unique style of blending rap, often delivered in the Yoruba language, with catchy ad-libs like "Woss Wobi." He is the founder of the label No Struggle No Success (N.S.N.S) Entertainment.Early Life and Education CDQ was born on May 6, 1985, in Orile, a suburb of Lagos State, Nigeria. Although born in Lagos, he grew up in Ilorin, Kwara State, where he completed his secondary school education. Upon returning to Lagos, he pursued higher education at Lagos State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in economics.Career Progression and Achievements CDQ began his foray into music professionally in 2008, though his musical journey started earlier, around 2002. A pivotal moment in his early career occurred in 2009 when he won a rap battle staged at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, which was attended by respected industry figures such as M.I Abaga, Da Grin, Jesse Jagz, DJ Jimmy Jatt, and Wizkid. This victory led to a promotional opportunity on Beat 99.9 FM, Lagos, where producer Masterkraft noticed him. Masterkraft later signed CDQ to his General Records label. Under this platform, CDQ released his debut single "Saula" in 2013, which marked his entrance into the mainstream Nigerian music scene. In 2014, he gained wider recognition with the hit track "Indomie" featuring Olamide, a song that brought him considerable commercial success. In 2016, he launched his own independent label, No Struggle No Success (N.S.N.S) Entertainment, to manage his music career and further develop his brand.Notable Works and Musical Style CDQ's musical repertoire is characterized by his distinctive ability to rap fluently in his native Yoruba language, often mixing it with Nigerian Pidgin and English. This unique approach, combined with his high-energy delivery and street-pop sensibility, positioned him as a key figure in the Nigerian rap scene. His notable works include major singles such as "Entertainer" (featuring Davido), "Owo," "Kogbede" (featuring Wande Coal), "Keep On Rocking" (also featuring Wande Coal), "Gbayi" (featuring Kiss Daniel), and "Onye Eze" (featuring Zlatan Ibile). His album releases include *Ibile Mugabe* and *Vibes and Lifestyle*.Current Status CDQ remains an active and influential figure in Nigerian hip hop and Afrobeats, continually releasing music under his No Struggle No Success Entertainment label. His contributions are noted for bridging street music with mainstream commercial appeal.