M.I Abaga

Jude Abaga (born 4 October 1981), better known as M.I Abaga, is a Nigerian hip hop recording artist and record producer.[2] He was CEO of Chocolate City from June 2015 to 2019.[3] He won Best Hip Hop and Best New Act at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards,[4] and was nominated in the Best International Act category at the BET Awards 2010. He rose to prominence in 2006 when his song "Crowd Mentality" became popular in his hometown of Jos. His critically acclaimed debut studio album Talk About It was released on 11 December 2008. The LP was succeeded by MI 2: The Movie (2010). Four years after that, he released The Chairman as his third studio album. Abaga released the playlist Rendezvous in February 2018. In August of that year, he released his fourth studio album A Study On Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl.[5] On 6 March 2020, Abaga announced his exit from Chocolate City Music and launch of his record label Incredible Music.[6]

M.I Abaga
Background information
Birth nameJude Lemfani Abaga
Also known asM.I
Born4 October 1981[1]
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2004–present
LabelsIncredible Music, Chocolate City
Associated actseLDee, Banky W., Waje, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, A-Q

Early life

Jude was born in Jos, Plateau State. His parents, Pastor and Mrs Abaga are from Takum, Taraba state, both of Jukun-Nigerian descent. He attended Baptist High School, Jos where his mother purchased basic music notations and later, a 7-key mini piano which launched him into the music world.[7] Jude has two brothers, Jesse Jagz who is also in the Nigerian and African music scene, and Jason Abaga. During Jude's adolescence, he would listen to tracks from Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, Sarah Maclachlan, Pablo Neruda, Jay-Z and DMX.[8][9] Jude's venture in the hip hop world started with the sampling of musical works from DMX and Lauryn Hill as early as 1998. After his stint at Calvin College, Michigan, US, he delved into poetry while pursuing a career in Business and Economics.[7] There, he performed regularly at the school's major hip hop shows and concerts. His impressive rap flows and attitude gained him a third-place finish at the Calvin College show tagged 'HipHopera' in 2003,[7] which was actually the only "hip hop show" that Calvin College ever had. M.I. also made some amateur attempts at comedy, but decided to stick to music because he was embarrassed when nobody laughed but him.[10]

Career

Jude began his music career when he returned to Nigeria in 2003. Finding his place in an industry dominated by the likes of Modenine, Ruggedman and Eedris Abdulkareem, he quickly commenced the production of mixtapes with his friend Djinee. This led to the critically acclaimed single "Safe", (a song which he parodied popular Nigerian songs in its lyrics) which gathered impressive airplay by African radio and music video stations such as MTV Vibe. The track also earned him awards at the Nigerian Music Video Awards, City People, N.E.A among others.

The hype surrounding the release of Safe led to the critical acclaim given to his first studio album titled Talk About It and was rated 8.5/10 by Oye Akideinde of 360nobs [11][12] The album gathered awards such as Musician of the Year (Modemen Awards in 2008), Best Hip Hop Artist (City People Awards).[13] His first mixtape was PYERIBOY. He later went on to bring out a sample mixtape titled: Illegal Music in 2009, in which he fully exploits his lyrical prowess.[14] The mixtape was followed by Illegal Music II which was released in 2012.

Back in Jos, Nigeria, he teamed up with his brother, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Ruby, Threadstone, Lindsay, Moses (Elbulk), E kelly to form Loopy Music. M.I was later signed to the Chocolate City company, a renowned music label in Nigeria, which made him move from Jos city to the nation's capital Abuja and also influenced the beginning of his successful career in the Nigerian music industry. He has also received international recognition in South Africa from the popular Channel O music Award, MTVbase Awards and also the American BET Awards. A proficient producer, lyricist, songwriter and instrumentalist, M.I has been described by DIV as the future of African hip-hop.[10] He has produced and featured on the works of artists like, Don Jazzy, Threadstone (Nigeria's first rock band ), Kel, Djinee, Shifi (Styl Plus), Jesse Jags, Ice Prince, Ruby, Lindsey, Leony, Wizkid etc. He also runs a production company, Rytchus Era Productions with his brother Jesse Abaga (Jesse Jagz). In 2013 he was appointed by Nigerian telecommunication company Glo Mobile as a brand ambassador alongside other Nigerian artistes like Omawunmi, Burna Boy etc. He was also a judge in Glo X-Factor, the Nigerian version of the reality singing show in 2013.

Illegal Music 3 - The Finale was released on February 29, 2016. The ten-track mixtape was made available online for free, gathering over 400,000 downloads in just three days.

On February 9, 2018, M. I released his seventh studio project titled Rendezvous, a playlist with a style generally different from the regular. The project came as a surprise to fans as it was released merely a day after the rapper announced the release date for Yxng Dxnzl.

Yxng Dxnzl (pronounced Yung Denzl) was itself released on August 24, 2018, about three months later than the initial release date. The album was tagged "A Study on Self Worth" and included the single You Rappers Should Fix Up Your Lives - which triggered a slew of responses.[15][16] The album was released as part of a collection of Nigerian rap albums titled LAMB August, with the aim of re-awakening rap music in Nigeria.[17] All three albums, Crown by A-Q and Loose Kaynon, Yung Denzl by M.I Abaga & BadBoyBlaq by Blaqbonez were executively produced by M.I.[18] On March 6 2020 the rapper announces his Departure from Chocolate city After 13 years of being a part of the label.[19]

Rapping technique

Tripol of Blaze-A-Mic describes M.I's flow as "easy going but packed full of punches".[20] Similarities in styles have also been drawn to renowned rappers such as Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Jay-Z. Those who know M.I. well have also compared his ego with both that of Kanye West and Jay-Z.[10]

Contributions and recognition

M.I's role in the music industry cannot be overstated. He has been responsible for bringing out many upcoming artistes such as Phyno, Wizkid, Vypa, Jesse Jagz, Ruby, Pype, Tone Ice Prince, Brymo and the latest is KhaliGraph Jones. He has been described by many Nigerian hip hop fans as Nigeria's "Hip Hop Messiah".[21] MI has done a lot to bring a Northern presence to the Nigerian music industry, he depicts the perfect example of bringing Nigeria together. He is the founder of Loopy Records and Incredible Music. M.I also work in music production with Chocolate City, and has produced albums and songs for his label mates. The most notable of these being in 2011 when he produced two songs off Ice Prince's album Everybody Loves Ice Prince and recently Ruby Gyang's Good Man off her "This Is Love" Ep.

M.I was appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in 2012.[22][23] M.I also supports the Jostified campaign.[24] He has achieved worldwide recognition as part of the vanguard of the "Afrobeats" wave.[25][26]

Feuds

Kelly Hansome

There has been a rivalry between Nigerian artists, M.I. Abaga and Kelly Hansome. This started when M.I. in his track Fast Money, Fast Cars stated, "Kelly Hansome is handsome, I'll tell him when I see him. But if I want a man, it'd be Keke or D1". Kelly Hansome did not take kindly to these words and from there they both have gone track for track with Kelly Hansome releasing Catch Me If You Can, where he goes in on the whole Chocolate City label. In response, the Choc City camp released Nobody Test Me with a line from M.I talking directly to Kelly Hansome, saying, " Only one Kelly that I know, Kelly Rowland. Why would I diss them, give them cheap promotion. I think that they're so dry, I should give them lotion". Later, Kelly Hansome released Chocolate Boys (Chocolate City members). M.I. released a track on his 2010 album, M.I.2 named Beef. With Kelly hearing this, brought out the track Finish You Boy.[27]

Icebery Slim

In 2009 a US-based rapper by the name Iceberg Slim released a single titled Mr International where he said the lines: "Am I better than M.I? I don't know. Am I? Matter of fact you should ask M.I". That apparently didn't sit too well with M.I, prompting him to release a single known as "Somebody Wants To Die", featuring his label mate Ice Prince on the track. Less than 48 hours after the release of M.I's "Somebody Wants to Die" IceBerg Slim released "Assassination" and sources quote that his Facebook status at the time of the release read "Somebody Wants To Die", I'll be responsible for the "Assassination" … let the countdown begin … (I told em it would be a M.I.stake, but they didn't listen)".[28] There was a contest in the mind of rap fans on who happened to be the best rapper in Nigeria. M.I developed more fans than Iceberg Slim and had more hit records, while Iceberg Slim gained hearts on Nigerian rap fans in a very short and unusual period. In 2012, both rappers decided to sweep the feud under the rug. Iceberg stated, "I don't think I picked on MI. It was a healthy competition in Hip-Hop, which most people don't understand. In Hip-Hop community, we could be best friends or brothers and I can say I'm the best rapper in the world and no one takes offense or takes it personal. My shot at MI wasn't a sign of disrespect in any way. Though sarcastic, it was healthy. People just took it out of context and thought I was dissing him. Rap music is all about competition because it helps you grow and improve on yourself."[29]

NotJustOk

M.I's popularity has grown quickly over the years in Nigeria as he has become one of the most critically acclaimed rap artists, and has recently been compared to other artists like Naeto C, el Dee, D'banj, 9ice and Mode 9. He was listed as the fourth most talented rapper in Nigeria by online music site Notjustok.com.[30][31] The ranking didn't sit well with M.I and he used the song NotJustOk/Savage (Track 5) on his 2016 released mix tape Illegal Music 3 to address the issue of him being compared to other Nigerian rap stars. He explicitly demanded that critics leave his name off any list and stop rating, ranking or criticizing music they didn't help create just because the critic wants to gain more traction, followers and boost their ratings.

Discography
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Mixtapes and playlists
  • Illegal Music (2009)
  • Illegal Music 2 (2012)
  • Illegal Music 3: The Finale (2016)
  • Rendezvous (2018)
EPs
  • Judah (2020)
  • The Live Report (with A-Q) (2020)

Awards and nominations

Won
  • Best Rap Single - The Headies Award 2018 (You Rappers Should Fix Up Your Lives)
  • Lyricist on the Roll - The Headies Award 2018 (You Rappers Should Fix Up Your Lives
  • Best Rap Album (The Chairman)- The Headies 2015
  • Best Rap Album 2009 –Hip Hop world Awards[32]
  • Hip Hop Revelation 2009 – Hip Hop World Awards[32]
  • Best New Act of the Year 2009 – Nigerian Entertainment Awards
  • Best Rap Single 2008 – Hip Hop World Awards[33]
  • Musician of the Year– Modemen Awards 2008
  • Best New Act- MTV Africa Music Awards 2009[34]
  • Best Use of Special Effects in a video-NMVA 2009[35]
  • Best Mainstream Hip Hop Video-NMVA 2009[35]
  • Musician of the Year-The Future Awards 2010
  • Musician of the Year – City People 2010
  • Artist of the Year – National Daily 2010
  • Musician of the Year – Malaysian African Entertainments Awards 2010
  • Most Amiable Brand – Orange Wall of Fame 2010
  • Lyricist On The Roll – The Headies Awards[36]
  • Best Rap Single – The Headies Awards 2018

Nominations
  • Best Performer - The Headies Award 2018
  • Best Rap Single - The Headies 2015
  • Album Of The Year (The Chairman) - The Headies 2015
  • Best Rap Album-Hip Hop World Awards 2009[37][38]
  • Lyricist on the Roll-Hip Hop World Awards 2009[37][38]
  • HipHop Revelation-Hip Hop World Awards 2009[37][38]
  • Musician of the Year-Modemen Awards 2008
  • Lyricist on the Roll-Hip Hop World Awards 2008
  • Best Rap Single-Hip Hop World Awards 2008
  • Next Rated- Hip Hop World Awards 2008
  • Best Mainstream Hip Hop Video- Nigerian Music Video Awards 2009
  • Best Director(Mex)- Nigerian Music Video Awards 2009
  • Video of The Year-Nigerian Music Video Awards 2009
  • Best Use of Special Effects in a video-Nigerian Music Video Awards 2009
  • Musician of the Year-The Future Awards 2009
  • Face of Hope Ambassador- Face of Hope Nigeria Project
  • Best Rap Single-Hip Hop World Awards 2010
  • Lyricist on the Roll-Hip Hop World Awards 2010
  • Best International Act- BET Awards 2010[39][40][41][42][43][43][44][45][46]
  • Artiste of the Year – The Headies 2011
  • Album of the Year (Mi2) – The Headies 2011
  • Artist of the Year- Diaspora Professionals, Dubai 2011
gollark: Eeeeeh, that's more hexahedral.
gollark: extreme art ™
gollark: I'm sure you'll be able to guess.
gollark: This is correct.
gollark: The coolest triangles are those in H Y P E R B O L I C G E O M E T R Y.

See also

References
  1. "32 Hurrays for Rap Superstar M.I Abaga! Photos of his Girlfriend Erica Okundaye, Vector, Noble Igwe, Victoria Kimani & Audu Maikori at his Surprise Party in Lagos". Bellanaija. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  2. "M.I Abaga". Genius. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  3. "Chocolate City announces MI as the new the CEO". Guardian. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  4. OG, Demola (10 October 2009). "Mtv Africa Music Award Winners". NotJustOk. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  5. Raymond, Tonton Nelson (26 August 2018). ""A STUDY ON SELF WORTH: YXNG DXNZL" — ONE LISTEN REVIEW (Album Rating: 80%)". Medium. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  6. "M.I Abaga Exits Chocolate City, Announces Own Label 'Incredible Music'". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  7. M.I @ Chocolate City Archived 22 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 15 September 2012 16:04:35 GMT
  8. Jude Abaga: Early Life. Irrelevant link: Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  9. M.I's MySpace.com page. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  10. Profile @ Wazobia FM. Who is Who Wednesday, 06 April 2011 12:52.
  11. M.I - Talk About It Album Review Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  12. Review: MI – Talk about it Retrieved 26 December 2012
  13. Check out M.I's Awards Collection Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  14. MI – Illegal Music 1 By Jaguda - Mar 16, 2009; © Jaguda.com.
  15. "The Best Replies To MI's "You Rappers Should Fix Up Your Lives" – FilterFree". filterfree.ng. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  16. Akan, Joey. "M.I Abaga: Here are the best rap replies to "You rappers should fix up your lives"". Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  17. Agbo, Njideka. "LAMB August: MI To Release His Albums On These Dates". guardian.ng. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  18. TheSoundNG (14 August 2018). "Lamb August: Hope Returns For Nigerian HipHop in August". TheSoundNG. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  19. "After 13 years, MI Abaga Finally Says Goodbye To Chocolate City". Latest Naija Nigerian Music, Songs & Video - Notjustok. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  20. orangeslice.org.
  21. See , and "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) for usages of this phrase to describe M.I .
  22. Belated Congrats to M.I Abaga on his Nomination as UN GOODWILL AMBASSADOR! Archived 3 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine AfricaMusicLaw™ | 18 October 2012 . Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  23. M.I Honored as UN Goodwill Ambassador for UNODC Archived 14 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Tue, 9 October 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  24. JOSTIFIED. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  25. Guide to Nigeria's Afrobeats stars, BBC
  26. "How Nigeria's Afrobeats are redefining the sound of Africa". The Guardian. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  27. AMEBOR.COM, 7 January 2011.Kelly Hansome Takes Takes Shot At M.I. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  28. Jaguda.com, 18 August 2009. M.I. – Somebody Wants To Die (Feat. Ice Prince) | Beef with IceBerg Slim? Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  29. "From New York With Lyrics..." Archived 18 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine ThisDay Live, 08 Apr 2013.
  30. "Iceberg Slim: From New York With Lyrics". News.naij.com.
  31. M.I vs Iceberg Slim Archived 7 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  32. "Hip Hop World Awards Winners - Naija | Jaguda.com". Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  33. "Nigerian hip hop awards winners list for 2008 - Gistmania". www.gistmania.com. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  34. MTV.co.uk homepage.MTV Africa Music Awards Nominations Announced. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  35. "Winners, Photos and Fashion from 2009 Nigerian Music Video Awards". BellaNaija. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  36. "HEADIES 2018 WINNERS - Loadedng". www.loadedng.com. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  37. Tuesday, 10 March 2009, 11:12 PM. HipHop World Awards 2009 Nominees Announced. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  38. "HipHop World Awards 2009 Nominees Announced". BellaNaija. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  39. "Best International Act : Nominees. BET 2010 Awards Official Site". Black Entertainment Television. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  40. "BET Awards Nominations Led By Jay-Z, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Drake … And Justin Bieber". MTV. 18 May 2010.
  41. "M.I. Abaga and P-Square Nominated for BET Awards 2010 - Ladybrille®Nigeria - Ladybrille®Nigeria". www.ladybrillenigeria.com.
  42. "MI & P-Square The Complete Scoop at the 2010 BET Awards | Connecting Nigeria's Fashion Industry | Ladybrille®Nigeria". Ladybrillenigeria.com.
  43. "BET Nominates Nigerian MI and Psqaure for best International Act". Jaguda.com.
  44. "MI & P-Square at the 2010 BET Awards-PRE SHOW (Pictures) | Connecting Nigeria's Fashion Industry | Ladybrille®Nigeria". Ladybrillenigeria.com.
  45. "underdarock.com". www.underdarock.com.
  46. "BET Awards 2010 Nominations". 18 May 2010.
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