Mubarak Abdulkarim, a.k.a. Mr. 442, was born on September 13, 1995, in Zaria, Kaduna State. He is 29 years old. After completing his traditional education in his hometown of Zaria, Kaduna State, then he moved to the Benin Republic to finish his degree. Right now, he composes songs and sings live.
He completed his elementary and secondary schooling in Zaria City, and he studied sociology at the American University of Religions in the Republic of Benin.
He rose to fame with the release of two songs: “Zindir,” written for Kannywood actress Maryam Booth, and “The Senator is leaking,” about a senator.
Mr. 442 is still becoming well-known in Nigeria and Niger as a result of his persistently controversial songs that are linked to pornographic music, which is against Hausa customs.
In an attempt to justify himself, he claims that people misunderstand him and that his purpose in drawing attention to his music is to help listeners understand its meaning.
The encounter between 442 and Safiyya Yusuf, also referred to as Safaa Safaa, had a profound effect on Kara. Following the publication of their debut single, Kwalele, which featured Madox Tbb, 442 gained international recognition.
Mr. 442 Was Taken into Arrest in NIGER
When Mr. 442 and Ola of Kano attempted to enter the country with forged credentials claiming to be Niger citizens, they were apprehended in the Republic of Niger.
The Directorate of Immigration, the Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire, and DST detained them at a passport processing station in Maradi near the Niger border.
A young Hausa hip-hop musician named Mubarak Abdulkarim is now causing a stir in Nigeria’s Hausa music scene. Known as “Mr. 442” in the entertainment industry, he was recently imprisoned in the Niger Republic. Among other topics, he discusses his imprisonment experience in this interview.
Who is Mr 442?
I am 29 years old and was born on September 13, 1995, under the name Mubarak Abdulkarim. I completed my traditional education in Zaria, Kaduna State, where I was born, before migrating to the Benin Republic to complete my degree. I currently write music and perform as a singer.
For what reason is music?
I began playing music in a group when I was in high school. I clearly remember getting started in junior secondary school, but it was when I read about the life and legacy of the late, great Dr. Mamman Shata, who had carried Hausa songs all over the world, that I was motivated to pursue music as a career. His success story encouraged me to pursue music full-time because, in my opinion, we should pick up where Mamman Shata left off, if he can achieve such success. That was the beginning of my musical adventure.
How did your parents feel about the career you chose?
My parents were actually unaware of my extensive musical career until I was recently imprisoned in the Niger Republic. Their eyes were truly awakened to the depth of their son’s musical progress by that particular experience.
Could you please explain what actually transpired in the Niger Republic?
On November 18, 2022, I was sent to prison. We went on a musical trip to the Niger Republic as performing artists, thanks to an invitation from a Nigerien promoter. My manager and I were part of the group. Our show was well received by the enthusiastic audience as we gave a fantastic performance. Our incredible performance had left the concert organizers extremely proud, and based on the testimonies we were given, it appeared that they would like to have us join them on a European tour.
The situation that landed us in jail was caused by our decision to travel to Europe, which was not part of our original plan. The organizers informed us that if we obtained a passport from the Niger Republic, it would be very easy for us to enter Europe, and that our search for the passport was what put us in jail. We were charged with trying to get false documentation.
Unfortunately, rather than processing our trip using our Nigerian passport, the organizers chose—for reasons best known to them—to fabricate a passport and registration number for us. We were found guilty after a summary trial and given an eight-month prison sentence. Our release date was July 18, 2023.
What would you say about living throughout your jail sentence?
I realized that I am not an ordinary person while I was incarcerated because so many people knew me. I realized that I had actually begun my road towards realizing my dream of continuing where the late Mamman Shata left off. While incarcerated, I got to meet a lot of my fans, and many of them expressed a desire to help me be released since they not only knew me as an artist, but also as an honest artist. I can honestly state that my fervor and drive for achieving my goals put me in jail.
As a result, while life wasn’t hard, it wasn’t easy either; spending time in prison is a real experience. I created more over a hundred songs while incarcerated, and I’m currently working on “Prison Vibes,” my upcoming CD.
Why is it that you enjoy using foul language in your songs?
Yes, I did, but that was back when I was attempting to draw attention to myself. As I prepared to elevate Hausa song to a new level, I understood that I would need to do something unusual in order to garner the necessary attention. That’s how I came up with the notion to use foul words and grabbed their attention. Accept it or not, 442 is now well-known worldwide. As such, I would like to inform my followers that they will soon be hearing from a new, refined 442 that will no longer use foul language.
As a Hausa vocalist, I would like to see an exceptional portrayal of the Hausa people on the international music scene, much as the Yorubas and Igbos do. For this reason, I wish to fully represent Hausas in the international arena in order to elevate Hausa song to a new level.
On August 29, 2022, the Kano State Government labeled me wanted and ordered that no music of mine be played or broadcast during any state-wide ceremonies or events.
Is it accurate to say that you and your friend Safa have broken up?
No, I haven’t heard from her since being released from prison, and I didn’t search for her. My impression is that she has advanced in her professional endeavors.
What about the recent freestyle you released where you mentioned her?
Safara’u was a friend of mine before her naked video was discovered to have been released. Since the Kannywood business had suspended her, I supported her in her endeavor to follow her musical dreams by offering her the support she needed. I last saw her the day we left for the Niger Republic, after we recorded a song together that went viral.
I did a freestyle to promote my new album when I got out of jail, and it was unintentionally posted and became viral. People claimed that I was referring to Safa when, in fact, I was only sharing my experience in prison in that freestyle.
Has she responded to yours in her own free style?
I’ve heard that she released a free style as well, but I’m not sure if it’s in reference to mine. Safa and I get along well, but we haven’t communicated.
To date, how many tracks have you released?
I have 46 songs in total, including 4 EPs, the most current of which is called Prison Vibes. While spending eight months in prison in the Niger Republic, I had an epiphany.
