Dr Sid is the stage name of Sidney Onoriode Esiri, a Nigerian singer-songwriter and trained dentist from Ikeja, Nigeria, born in 1980. He works in afrobeat and afrobeats, and is also associated with Afro Pop and afro hip-hop.

Early life and education

Dr Sid is originally from Delta state and is raised in Lagos. He is the second of four children. His mother is a fashion designer, and his father is the actor Justus Esiri, known for his role in the television sitcom The Village Headmaster and for receiving the Member of the Order of the Niger honour. He attends the Nigerian Air Force Secondary School in Ikeja and later studies Dental Surgery at the University of Ibadan.

Alongside music, he trains and works as a dentist. During school, he takes part in plays, dance competitions and concerts and wins awards for performance.

Music career

In 1999 he signs to Trybe Records as a choreographer and spends the next three years touring as a backup dancer for Trybesmen. In 2002 he joins Da Trybe and appears on the group track “OYA” alongside Sasha, 2-Shotz, Timi, DEL and the Trybesmen members Eldee, Kb and Freestyle. He then records his debut single, “Don’t Stop”, which reaches number one on the MBI top ten video chart for eight weeks. He pauses his music work to finish his degree.

He qualifies as a dentist in 2004, works in the UK with JJC & the 419 Squad, Felix Duke, KAS, R70 and D’Banj, then returns to Nigeria to work at Lagos University Teaching Hospital and later completes national service in Yola, Adamawa state.

In 2005 he begins work on a studio album titled Prognosis, which includes the single “Raise da roof”, and receives a nomination for Best New Act at the Amen Awards. He abandons the album in 2006.

In 2007 he signs to Mo’ Hits Records and appears on the Mo’ Hits Allstars album Curriculum Vitae, released in December that year. He features on seven of the album’s 15 tracks, including “Booty Call” and “Close to You”. He tours widely with the Mo’ Hits Allstars in 2008 and performs at events including the Thisday Music Festival and Star Mega Jam.

He begins recording his first solo studio album under Mo’ Hits with Don Jazzy in 2009. Its lead single is “Something About You”, followed by “Winchi Winchi” featuring Wande Coal and “Pop Something” featuring D’banj. He also performs at the MTV Africa Music Awards in Kenya as part of the Mo’ Hits Allstars with D’banj, Wande Coal and STL. The album Turning Point is released in 2010 and 2011, and the single “Over the Moon” reaches number one on the Nigerian top ten.

Mavin Records and later work

After the split between D’banj and Don Jazzy at Mo’ Hits Records, Dr Sid joins Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records. He also has three songs featured on the label compilation Solar Plexus. His labels across his career include Trybe Records, Mo’ Hits Records and Mavin Records.

Selected releases and awards

His discography includes the compilation albums The Big Picture, Curriculum Vitae and Solar Plexus, and the album Turning Point. His singles include “Don’t Stop”, “Raise da roof”, “Something About You” and “Over the Moon”.

He wins Fresh Video at the 2008 Soundcity Music Video Awards for the Mo’ Hits Allstars, Best Afro Hip hop Video at the 2009 Nigerian Music Video Awards for the Mo’ Hits Allstars, and in 2011 he wins Hiphop World Revelation of the Year and Best Pop Single at the Hiphop World Awards. He is also nominated for Best New Act at the 2005 Amen Awards, Best Group at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards, Best Duo or Group at the 2009 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards, and several 2010 and 2011 Dynamix, South South Music and Hiphop World awards categories.

Associated acts

He is associated with D’banj, Mo’ Hits Allstars, Don Jazzy and Wande Coal.