M.I Abaga

Early life and career

Abaga was born in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria to parents from Takum in Taraba state. He attended Baptist High School, Jos, and has two brothers. His mother bought him a musical piano and he listened to songs by Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, Sarah McLachlan, Pablo Neruda, Jay-Z and DMX; those which built him into the music world. Abaga proceeded to Calvin College, Michigan, where he studied Business and Economics. He performed in school's shows and concerts.

Abaga began his music career after he had returned to Nigeria in 2003. In 2006, M.I Abaga gained nationwide attention with his song "Crowd Mentality". He followed up with his debut studio album Talk About It (2008). His first album gathered awards such as the Musician of the Year in the Modemen Awards in 2008, and Best Hip Hop Artist in the City People Entertainment Awards. His first mixtape was "Pyeri Boy", and later released a sample mixtape Illegal Music in 2009. His sophomore album, MI 2: The Movie (2010), featured songs such as "Undisputed", "Action Film and "Number One". Other singles during this period were "Safe", "Teaser", "Fast Money, Fast Cars" and "Anoti". In 2008, he won Lyricist on the Roll at The Headies and in 2009 won Best Hip-Hop Artist at the MTV Africa Music Awards. Illegal Music II (2012) followed. In 2013, notjustok.com ranked M.I as the fourth most talented rapper in Nigeria. M.I released "NotJustOk/Savage" on Illegal Music 3 in 2016 to clap back on being compared to other Nigerian rap stars and demanded that critics leave his name off their lists as a means to gain more traction for themselves.

Abaga was signed to Chocolate City. Following the advancement, he relocated from Jos to Abuja, and worked with many Nigerian artists. In 2013 he was appointed by Globacom as an ambassador and a judge in Glo X-Factor in 2013. In 2014, M.I released his third studio album, The Chairman, which marked a new era of business-minded hip-hop that mixed African rhythms with trap, jazz, and conscious rap. He collaborated with artists including Wizkid, Olamide, Ice Prince, and Patoranking. In 2015, he was appointed as the CEO of Chocolate City, a role he held until 2019. Under his leadership, the label signed and developed talents like Blaqbonez, CKay, and Dice Ailes. In 2016 he released Illegal Music 3: The Finale. It was followed by Rendezvous (2018). Yxng Dxnzl was released on 24 August 2018. The album was released as part of a collection of Nigerian rap albums titled LAMB August. On 6 March 2020, Abaga announced his departure from Chocolate City. In 2023 he was appointed special adviser to Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State. After stepping down as CEO of Chocolate City, M.I founded the label Incredible Music in 2020 and released the EP Judah. In 2022, he released The Guy, featuring collaborations with artists like Nas, Olamide, Wande Coal, and Phyno. The album peaked at #1 on Apple Music Nigeria. Singles from the album included "The Guy", "Bigger", and "The Inside".

In addition to music, he is a business strategist, speaker, and influencer, working across creative industries in Africa. M.I is the CEO of TASCK, a creative and advocacy agency leveraging African talent for social change. He has spearheaded initiatives in voter education, civic engagement, and youth empowerment, partnering with organizations like YIAGA Africa and Luminate. Through Incredible Music and his podcast Talk About It, he continues to drive conversations at the intersection of music, leadership, and social innovation.

Feuds

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". In response, Kelly Hansome released "Catch Me If You Can", where he mocks the Chocolate City label. In response, the Choc City camp released "Nobody Test Me" with a line from M.I talking directly to Kelly Hansome: "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". M.I released a track on his 2010 album, M.I.2 named "Beef" and Kelly responded with the track Finish You Boy.

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". In response, M.I released the single "Somebody Wants To Die", featuring his label mate Ice Prince on the track. Less than 48 hours later, IceBerg Slim released "Assassination" and it was reported that his Facebook status at the time of the release read: '"Somebody Wants To Die", I'll be responsible for the "Assassination"...' In 2012, both rappers decided to sweep the feud under the rug. Iceberg stated, "It was a healthy competition in Hip-Hop, which most people don't understand... Rap music is all about competition because it helps you grow and improve on yourself."

In 2019, M.I released the diss track "The Viper" about Vector, emphasizing his own penchant for mentoring and helping others, while Vector was more focused on his own career. Vector responded in the song "Judas, the rat".' In December 2020, Vector and M.I met during The Conversation, a documentary series based on the rivalry between M.I and Vector. M.I said he had the impression that Vector just didn't like him, while Vector said he believed M.I was cunning and deceptive. In March 2021, they collaborated on the songs "Crown of Clay" and "Spirit", the latter of which was the first track on the EP The Very Special Tape Volume 1.

Personal life and other ventures

On 22 September 2022, M.I and Eniola Mafe married in Lagos. Beyond music, he is passionate about social impact, African youth empowerment, and mental health advocacy.

M.I was appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in 2012. M.I supports the Jostified campaign. He has achieved worldwide recognition as part of the vanguard of the "Afrobeats" wave. He is also an advocate for ADHD and emotional wellness.

Musicians who have cited M.I as inspirations to them include Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Odumodublvck, Phyno, Show Dem Camp, Khaligraph Jones, Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C, Blaqbonez, Ladipoe, A.Q, Loose Kaynon, and Ric Hassani. M.I's influences include Jay-Z, Nas, and The Game.

Discography

;Studio albums

• Talk About It (2008)
• MI 2: The Movie (2010)
• The Chairman (2014)
• *A Study on Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl *(2018)
• The Guy (2022)

; Compilation albums

• The Indestructible Choc Boi Nation (with Chocolate City) (2015)

;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)

Filmography

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. (8 October 2013). "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.
2. (1 July 2015). "Chocolate City announces MI as the new the CEO". Guardian.
3. (6 March 2020). "M.I Abaga Exits Chocolate City, Announces Own Label 'Incredible Music'".
4. [https://republic.com.ng/december-23-january-24/the-resounding-verses-of-mi-abaga/ 1]
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6. (10 October 2009). "Mtv Africa Music Award Winners". [[NotJustOk]].
7. [https://thenet.ng/check-out-m-is-awards-collection/ Check out M.I's Awards Collection] Retrieved 14 April 2015.
8. (22 August 2013). "Iceberg Slim: From New York With Lyrics". News.naij.com.
9. link. (7 July 2011)
10. Agbo, Njideka. (10 August 2018). "LAMB August: MI To Release His Albums On These Dates".
11. (6 March 2020). "After 13 years, MI Abaga Finally Says Goodbye To Chocolate City".
12. Erezi, Dennis. (2023-07-28). "Plateau governor Muftwang appoints Mikel Obi, MI Abaga as advisers".
13. AMEBOR.COM, 7 January 2011.[http://amebor.com/kelly-mi-beef/ Kelly Hansome Takes Takes Shot At M.I.] Retrieved 3 November 2012.
14. Jaguda.com, 18 August 2009. [http://www.jaguda.com/2009/08/18/mi-somebody-wants-to-die-feat-ice-prince-beef-with-iceberg-slim/ M.I. – Somebody Wants To Die (Feat. Ice Prince). Beef with IceBerg Slim?] {{Webarchive. link. (12 November 2010 Retrieved 3 November 2012.)
15. [http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/from-new-york-with-lyrics-/144361/ "From New York With Lyrics..."] {{webarchive. link. (18 May 2013 ThisDay Live, 8 April 2013.)
16. (14 October 2019). "M.I vs Vector Beef: How it all Started".
17. Aigbokhaevbolo, Oris. (7 October 2019). "#TheViper: 3 Reasons Vector can't recover from the MI Abaga diss".
18. (11 October 2019). "Rapper Vector attacks MI, Ambode, others in Judas The Rat".
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20. (6 October 2020). ""The Conversation" Hennessy Nigeria, Youtube".
21. (6 October 2020). "M.I And Vector Ends Beef, Possible Collaboration Underway".
22. (12 March 2021). "Here is how Vector and MI Abaga finally made a song together on, 'Crown of Clay'".
23. (27 May 2022). "Hennessy Nigeria Shares New Mixtape 'The Very Special Tape, Vol.1'".
24. (2022-09-23). "M.I Abaga and fiancé tie the knot at colourful traditional wedding ceremony - MyJoyOnline.com".
25. BellaNaija.com. (2022-09-23). "#TheIncredibles22: Eniola Mafe & M.I Abaga Tie The Knot Traditionally".
26. [http://africamusiclaw.com/2012/10/a-belated-congrats-to-m-i-abaga-on-his-nomination-as-un-goodwill-ambassador.html Belated Congrats to M.I Abaga on his Nomination as UN GOODWILL AMBASSADOR!] {{webarchive. link. (3 February 2013 AfricaMusicLaw™). 18 October 2012 . Retrieved 26 December 2012.
27. [http://xtremegists.com/2012/10/m-i-honored-as-un-goodwill-ambassador-for-unodc/ M.I Honored as UN Goodwill Ambassador for UNODC] {{webarchive. link. (14 December 2012 , Tue, 9 October 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012.)
28. [https://jostified.blogspot.com/ JOSTIFIED.] Retrieved 26 December 2012.
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30. (24 April 2014). "How Nigeria's Afrobeats are redefining the sound of Africa". The Guardian.
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32. Metibogun, Shade. (2023-11-01). ""No Olamide?" Fans react to Odumodu Blvck's list of top five Nigerians rapper".
33. Bisi. (2015-08-19). "M.I Is the Best Rapper in Africa – Cassper Nyovest -".
34. Eze, Chinelo. (2023-12-06). "South African Rapper Nasty C Lists His Top 5 Nigerian Rappers".
35. Adene, Gift. (2020-04-26). "'No one wanted to help me except MI Abaga' - Popular singer Ric Hassani writes on his struggle to fame".
36. (18 September 2018). "RMD, Falz, MI, Ini Edo, others star in "Chief Daddy"".
37. (17 January 2021). "Highly anticipated Bollywood-Nigerian collaboration, "Namaste Wahala" to be released soon!".
38. Nkasiobi Oluikpe. (15 January 2009). "Nigeria: Artistes in Big Dream for 2009".
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41. MTV.co.uk homepage.[https://archive.today/20130422055050/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/mtv-africa-music-awards/149359-mtv-africa-music-awards-nominations-announced MTV Africa Music Awards Nominations Announced]. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
42. (5 November 2009). "Winners, Photos and Fashion from 2009 Nigerian Music Video Awards".
43. (16 October 2009). "Nigerian Music Video Awards 2009 Nominees – Keffi, MI, Darey & Mo-Hitts Dominate".
44. (9 June 2009). "Nigerian Entertainement Awards (N.E.A) Winners & Pics".
45. (17 May 2009). "Hip Hop World Awards Winners - Naija {{!}} Jaguda.com".
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48. (6 April 2010). "DaGrin, Cobhams, Bracket & Other Top Music Stars announced as 2010 HipHop World Awards (HHWA) Nominees".
49. (18 May 2010). "BET Awards Nominations Led By Jay-Z, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Drake … And Justin Bieber". MTV.
50. (19 May 2010). "BET Nominates Nigerian MI and Psqaure for best International Act". Jaguda.com.
51. (6 August 2011). "Headies 2011! Ice Prince, 2Face Dr. Sid lead nomination list". Vanguard.
52. Adeyiga Abisoye. (2 January 2016). "Headies Awards 2015: Full List Of Winners". Channels TV.
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54. Paul Grein. (26 February 2025). "Rema, Ayra Starr & Tems Among Top Nominees for 2025 Headies Awards: Full List".