The Chairman (M.I album)

The Chairman is the third studio album by Nigerian hip hop recording artist M.I. It was released on October 30, 2014, by Chocolate City and Loopy Music.[2] The album features collaborations with producers and guest artists such as 2face Idibia, Wizkid, Seyi Shay, Ice Prince, Olamide, Phyno, Reminisce, Oritse Femi, Patoranking, Reinhard, Runtown, Sarkodie, Nosa, Beenie Man, Koker, Moti Cakes, Wilson Alao, Sound Sultan, Emmy Ace, Sammy Gyang, Chigul, Milli, Frank Edwards, Nanya, G-Plus, Morell, Loose Kaynon, Pheelz, Debbie, DJ Lambo, Sarz, Stormrex, L-37, VSTOL and I.J. The album's production began in 2012 and continued through the third quarter of 2014. M.I worked with several collaborators while enlisting new producers. Much of The Chairman tells the story of the rapper's journey into limelight. According to M.I's team, the album sold 30,000 copies in pre-order sales.[3] The Chairman was supported by three singles: "Bad Belle", "Monkey" and "Bullion Van".

The Chairman
Studio album by M.I
Released	October 30, 2014 (2014-10-30)[1]
Recorded	2012–2014
Genre	Hip hop
Length	75:00
Label	Chocolate City Loopy Music
Producer	Yahaya Maikori (exec.) Audu Maikori (exec.) Paul Okeugo (exec.) Jude Abaga (exec.) Reinhard Sarz Pheelz Sammy Gyang G-Plus L-37 VSTOL Frank Edwards
M.I chronology
Illegal Music 2 (2012) The Chairman (2014) The Indestructible Choc Boi Nation (2015)
Singles from The Chairman
"Bad Belle" Released: December 4, 2014 "Monkey" Released: March 26, 2015 "Bullion Van" Released: August 26, 2015

Background

M.I spent two years recording the album. He describes the album as a collaborative album due to the number of music personnel who contributed to it. The Chairman was initially slated for release in June 2013, but was postponed due to the rapper partaking in other business ventures. In an interview with Sunrise Daily in 2014, M.I said Jesse Jagz's departure from Chocolate City also delayed the album.[4][5] In another interview with Leadership newspaper, M.I said he was inspired to name the album The Chairman after hearing people address him as such.[6] The album comprises 17 tracks and every track, excluding "The Middle", has an opposite. On October 22, 2014, the album was made available for pre order.[7] Seven days later, its official cover art and track list were released.[8] M.I held a listening party for the album at Industry Nite on the same day. He performed alongside Jesse Jagz and dedicated the record "Brother" to him.[9][10]

Composition

The Chairman encompasses several layers of M.I's autobiography. On the album's opener "The Beginning/Nobody", M.I plays the role of a crazy teacher with his voice. In the Chigul-assisted track "Monkey", he raps with a gospel flow over a highlife instrumental. In "Human Being", he reminds listeners that celebrity is not all its hyped up to be. In "Rich", M.I narrates his grass to grace story. In "Brother", he enlists Nosa to help him depict the cracks at Chocolate City. "Shekpe" is a song that celebrates street life and low-cost highs. In "Enemies", M.I and Patoranking tell listeners that the world of celebrity is a land filled with haters. "Yours" is an ode to his core fans who supported him from day one. In "The End/The Chairman", M.I tells listeners the real chairman is God.[11]

Promotional singles

The Chairman was supported by two promotional singles. The first promotional single "Chairman" was released on March 19, 2013; it was initially announced as the album's lead single. The song was produced by E.Kelly, Chopstix and M.I. It was launched via a Google Plus hangout, which was streamed live on Google Plus and YouTube.[12] On May 13, 2013, the music video for "Chairman" was uploaded to YouTube; it was shot and directed in Los Angeles.[13] According to Saturday Beats, M.I spent ₦10 million on the video shoot.[14]

The second promotional single, titled "King James", was released on August 21, 2014.[15] M.I describes the song as a non-profit project designed to create awareness and inspire social change. "King James" received generally mixed reviews from music critics.[16]

Singles

"Bad Belle" was released as the album's lead single. Its music video was shot and directed in Nigeria by MEX; it features cameo appearances from Basketmouth, Mode 9, Sound Sultan, Yung6ix and Show Dem Camp, among others.[17] The album's second single "Monkey" was released on March 26, 2015. The accompanying music video for "Monkey" was self-directed by M.I.[18] "Bullion Van" was released as the album's third single. Its official music video was shot and directed by Mex.[19] Kemi Adetiba shot an unreleased music video for the song at Koga Studios.[20]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Lobatan	A[21]
The Breaking Times	7/10[22]
NotJustOk	6.5/10[23]
Pulse Nigeria	[24]
Nigerian Entertainment Today	[25]
TooXclusive	[26]

The Chairman received generally positive reviews from music critics. Toni Kan of Thisday newspaper called the album a "chockfull of hits" and characterized it as an "autobiography and memoir, manual and manifesto, pure fiction and drama, as well as poetry on an epic scale."[11][27] Oscar Okeke of Lobatan gave the album an A rating, noting it "sounds like the result of an extended period of anxiety, overweighing thoughts, pressure, and other deep seated emotions that can only manifest through music."[21] Ayomide Tayo of Pulse Nigeria awarded the album 4 stars out of 5, calling it "an inspiring, entertaining and a brilliant body of work from a master who has regained his magical touch."[24]

Dayo Showemimo of Nigerian Entertainment Today granted the album 4 stars out of 5, describing it as "legendary" and commending its production and technical detail.[25] The Breaking Times gave the album 7 stars, concluding, "On The Chairman, M.I. shows he hasn't lost much (in terms of song crafting and ear for beats), and therefore, has nothing to prove to naysayers".[22] Reviewing for NotJustOk, Tola Sarumi rated the record 6.5 stars out of 10, concluding it has something for everyone.[23] Wilfred Okiche from YNaija believes the album's defining experience came from its subtle songs.[28] Henry Igwe, another YNaija writer, said the lyrics and production on "Human Being" are nonpareil, when compared to "Shekpe" or "Bullion Van".[29]

In a less enthusiastic review, Jim Donnett of TooXclusive gave the album 2.5 stars out of 5, criticizing M.I's solo abilities and decision to feature 26 artists.[26]

Accolades

The Chairman won Best Rap Album and was nominated for Album of the Year at The Headies 2015.[30][31]

Year	Awards ceremony	Award description(s)	Results
2015	The Headies	Best Rap Album	Won
		Album of the Year	Nominated

Track listing

The Chairman

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"The Beginning/Nobody"	Jude Abaga	Abaga	3:13
2.	"Monkey" (featuring Chigul)	Abaga	Abaga Reinhard^[a] L37^[a]	4:13
3.	"Rich" (featuring Koker)	Abaga Koker L37	Sarz L37^[a] Sammy Gyang^[a] Abaga^[a]	3:34
4.	"Mine" (featuring Wizkid)	Abaga Ayodeji Balogun Ugo	Abaga L37^[a] Reinhard^[a]	3:57
5.	"Shekpe" (featuring Reminisce)	Abaga Remilekun Safaru	Sarz Abaga^[b] Reinhard^[b]	3:48
6.	"Bad Belle" (featuring Moti Cakes)	Abaga Motolani Awokoya	Reinhard	3:12
7.	"Wheel Barrow" (featuring Emmy Ace and Bennie Man)	Abaga Anthony Davis	Sarz MI Abaga^[a] L37^[a] Reinhard^[a]	4:45
8.	"Brother" (featuring Nosa and Milli)	Abaga Nosa Omoregie Milli Nasir Erica	Reinhard L37^[b]	3:54
9.	"The Middle" (featuring Olamide and I.J)	Abaga Olamide Adedeji L37 Will	Abaga L37^[a] Reinhard^[a]	4:10
10.	"Enemies" (featuring Patoranking)	Abaga Patrick Okorie	MI Abaga L37^[a]	5:15
11.	"Bullion Van" (featuring Phyno, Runtown and Stormrex)	Abaga Azubuike Nelson Douglas Jack-Agu L37 Stormrex	L37	4:35
12.	"Always Love" (featuring Seyi Shay)	Abaga Deborah Joshua	Abaga L37^[a] Reinhard^[a]	4:28
13.	"Millionaira Champagne" (featuring Ice Prince, Sarkodie and DJ Lambo)	Abaga Michael Addo Panshak Zamani	Abaga L37^[a] Reinhard^[a]	5:57
14.	"Yours" (featuring Milli and Debbie)	Abaga Nasir	L37	5:23
15.	"Beg" (featuring Morell and Loose Kaynon)	Abaga Morell Loose Kaynon	Abaga Reinhard^[b]	3:50
16.	"Human Being" (featuring 2face Idibia and Sound Sultan)	Abaga Innocent Idibia Sound Sultan	Pheelz Abaga^[a]	5:49
17.	"The End/The Chairman" (featuring Oritse Femi, Frank Edwards and Nanya)	Abaga Tosin Martins Oritsefemi Ekele Frank Edwards	Abaga VSTOL^[a] Frank Edwards^[a]	5:57
Total length:				75:00

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies a co-producer
• ^{^[b]} signifies an additional producer
• "Monkey" and "Bad Belle" contain additional vocals by Milli
• The skit performed on "Enemies" was done by Erica
• "Bullion Van" contains additional vocals by L37 and T-Soul
• "Millionaira Champagne" contains additional vocals by Reinhard
• "The End/The Chairman" contains additional vocals by Jade Abaga

Personnel

Credits adapted from M.I's website.[32]

• Jude Abaga – primary artist, executive producer, production, writing, mixing
• Yahaya Maikori – executive producer
• Audu Maikori – executive producer
• Paul Okeugo – executive producer
• Innocent Idibia – performer
• Ayodeji Balogun – performer
• Deborah Joshua – performer
• Panshak Zamani – performer
• Olamide Adedeji – performer
• Azubuike Nelson – performer
• Remilekun Safaru – performer
• Oritsefemi Ekele – performer
• Patrick Okorie – performer
• Douglas Jack-Agu – performer
• Michael Addo – performer
• Nosa Omoregie – performer
• Anthony Davis – performer
• Sound Sultan – performer
• Koker – performer
• Moti Cakes – performer
• Morell – performer
• Loose Kaynon – performer
• Debbie – performer
• Stormrex – performer
• Ugo – performer
• Milli – additional vocals, performer
• Frank Edwards – performer, production
• I.J – performer
• Nanya – performer
• Chioma Omeruah – performer
• Emmy Ace – performer
• Jumar – performer
• DJ Lambo – performer
• Jade Abaga – additional vocals
• T-Soul – additional vocals
• Reinhard – production, additional production, additional vocals
• Sarz – production
• Pheelz – production
• Sammy Gyang – production, additional production
• L-37 – production, additional production, additional vocals, mixing
• VSTOL – production
• G-Plus – production, mixing
• Wilson Alao – mixing
• Erica – skit performer
• August Udoh – photography
• Blackchild – album design
• Tunde Ahmed – album design

Release history

Region	Date	Version	Format	Label
Various	October 30, 2014	Standard	CD digital download	Chocolate City Loopy Music

References

1. "The Chairman by M.I Abaga". iTunes. 30 October 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
2. Kan, Toni (19 October 2014). "M.I SHEATHES HIS SWORD IN NEW ALBUM". This Day. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
3. Showemimo, Dayo (24 October 2014). "M.I's unreleased album sells 30,000 copies". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
4. Eze, Chidinma (13 October 2014). "Jesse Jagz leaving Chocolate City affected me – M.I Abaga". Daily Post Newspaper. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
5. Oogbodo, Oseyiza. "AIRWAVES LINK: MI states intent with Chairman" (23 March 2013). National Mirror. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
6. "Nigeria: M.I Abaga the Chairman – His Burning Desire for Greatness". allAfrica.com. Leadership. 15 November 2013. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
7. "MI Abaga's "Chairman Album" available for Pre-order Now! #ChairmanSeason #IMMI #ChairmanAlbum". MADC. 22 October 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
8. Opeoluwani, Akintayo (30 October 2014). ".I's 'Chairman' Album Out!". Daily Times of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
9. "Has MI Abaga Outdone Himself With His Latest 'Chairman' Album?". Fuse. 30 October 2014. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
10. "Exclusive Pictures: From M.I 's Chairman Album Release Industry Nite". Lobatan. 30 October 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
11. Kan, Toni (26 October 2014). "'M.I's new album is an incredible delight'- Toni Kan". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
12. "MI returns with 'Chairman'". The Nation. 23 March 2013. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
13. "M.I Drops 'Chairman' Video". Channels TV. 13 May 2013. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
14. Olonilua, Ademola (25 May 2013). "Olamide and MI's N10m chairman song". Punch. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
15. "M.I Abaga – King James / Lyric VIDEO". NotjustOk. 21 August 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
16. Akan, Joey (23 August 2013). "M.I's 'King James' Not On Upcoming Album". Pulse. Archived from the original on 25 August 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
17. "New Video: M.I Abaga featuring Moti Cakes – Bad Belle". Bellanaija. 4 December 2014. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
18. "VIDEO: MI Abaga – Monkey ft. Chigurl". NotJustOk. 26 March 2015. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
19. "Bullion Van: Hot Music Video By M.I feat. Runtown, Phyno And Stormrex". Express Nigeria. 26 August 2015. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
20. Akan, Joey (26 January 2015). "Rapper shoots video for 'Bullion van' with Phyno, Runtown, Stormrex". Pulse.ng. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
21. Okeke, Oscar (3 November 2014). "The mind of a bully VS the heart of a mere human: MI's Chairman album review". Lobatan. Archived from the original on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
22. "ALBUM REVIEW: THE CHAIRMAN – M.I. ABAGA". The Breaking Times. 11 November 2014. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
23. Tola Sarumi (5 November 2014). "Album Review: M.I Abaga – The Chairman". NotJustOk. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
24. Tayo, Ayomide (3 November 2014). "M.I Abaga – The Chairman". Pulse. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
25. Showemimo, Dayo (6 November 2014). "M.I's 'The Chairman' is a product of technical and creative perfection". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
26. Jim Donnett (5 November 2014). "ALBUM REVIEW: M.I – The Chairman". TooXclusive. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
27. "M.I (JUDE ABAGA) Taking the Music Industry by Storm". This Day. 26 October 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
28. Wilfred Okiche (22 November 2014). "ALBUM REVIEW: THE TROUBLE WITH MI'S THE CHAIRMAN". YNaija. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
29. Henry Igwe (10 November 2014). "ALBUM REVIEW: 'THE CHAIRMAN' BY MI ABAGA – PERFECT MONIKER OR A MISNOMER?". YNaija. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
30. Adeleke, Shayo (30 September 2015). "The Headies Awards 2015– Full Nominees List". 36NG. Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
31. Abulude, Samuel (6 January 2016). "Olamide, Timi Dakolo, YCee Win Big At HEADIES 2015". Leadership Newspaper. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
32. "The Chairman – Complete list of album credits #ChairmanAlbum". MADC. 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.