November 13, (THEWILL) – Nigerian-American rapper and singer, Jidenna Theodore Mobisson, has revealed in a recent podcast that during a challenging period in his life, he acknowledged manipulating women and depriving them of crucial years for starting a family.
In the debut episode of the ‘Manenough’ podcast, titled ‘What’s Underneath: Masculinity,’ the podcast, in collaboration with Better Help, a mental health platform offering online services, featuring Jidenna, the ‘classic man’ crooner, candidly discussed a difficult chapter in his past. He openly admitted to hindering women from utilising their prime years for family building.
Jidenna opened up about his past inclination for deception and manipulation. The artist got candid about his days as a skilled fibber and expert manipulator, offering a glimpse into his journey from cunning to genuine. He said, “I know how to tell a good lie. You tell 98 percent of the truth and then two per cent a lie that’s how you become a good liar.”
He added that he took pleasure in lying, finding it enjoyable.
“I used to lie for sport just because it was fun,” he confessed.
The American rapper confessed to struggling with understanding how to engage with women in a healthy, non-exploitative manner. He admitted to employing various strategies to make women believe he was in the right.
“I didn’t know how to relate to women in a way that isn’t exploitative,” shared Jidenna.
The musician revealed that he used to pressure these women into complying with his desires immediately, denying them the time to think. Instead of acknowledging the need for time to process, he would assert statements like, “I want to talk about it now; do not walk away from me.”
He said he dragged the women along while those women built him up.
“Look at me now. And look at them,” he said.
Speaking on how he dragged them along, he said, “If you were a creative, I folded you into my art work. If you were in my art work, I gave you a job. I gave you a job, I mastered your life. I gave you a house, food, everything you need. I protected and provided for you. I did what men are supposed to do.”
Jidenna expressed remorse for his past statements such as “I mastered your life, I gave you a house, food, I did what men are supposed to do.” He admitted feeling ashamed of those words, realizing their negative impact.
The artist strongly asserted his dislike for witnessing men saying similar things to women who have made significant contributions to their lives. “We can’t do that to the women that have done so much for us,” Jidenna admitted. “I robbed women of their baby-making years.”
Speaking of hitting rock bottom, the artiste revealed that he realized the gravity of his actions when he was simultaneously dating two women, and the relationships ultimately ended.
“I hit rock bottom, I didn’t think I deserved love and I saw myself for the first time,” Jidenna explained.
He further disclosed that after his relationship ended, his journey towards sincerity began as he delved into readings about masculinity. He pledged that in his next relationship, he would prioritize love as much as he focused on his career.
Jidenna, talking about his style and masculinity, mentioned that the most common assumption people made about him was appearing put together, despite him being a mess.
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