Jude Abaga is a Nigerian hip hop rapper popularly referred to as the Hip-hop messiah by peers. M.I (Mister Incredible) as he is fondly Known invaded the Nigerian raop scene like a colossus following the released On the 11th of December 2008 of his highly acclaimed debut album, 'Talk About It' under the Chocolate City Label and made history by selling a record 30,000 copies in less than 30 minutes! This record is yet to be beaten.
His influences are Lauryn Hill, Robert Nesta Marley, Sarah Mchlaclan, Pablo Neruda, Jay Z and DMX. M.I. was born to Pastor and Mrs Abaga, both active members of the local Church choir in Jos, Plateau, Nigeria he went to Baptist High School a private high school in Jos Plateau state Nigeria. His mother taught the basic music notations and later bought him 7-key mini piano, which launched him early into the world of music.
M.I’s encounter with Hip-Hop started with sampling the works of DMX and Lauryn Hill in 1998 . He later delved into writing poetry. In 1999, MI left for Calvin College, Michigan, USA to pursue a degree in business and economics. There he interacted with the budding Michigan hip-hop community. He performed at all the major hip-hop and R&B shows and concerts in school and later came third in the Calvin College “Hip hopera” 2003.
M.I. returned to Plateau, Nigeria in 2005 to find the local music industry on the verge of a revolution and was set to take African Hip-Hop to new heights. A proficient producer, lyricist, songwriter and instrumentalist, M.I. has been described by DIV as the future of African Hip-Hop.
He has produced and featured on the works of artists like Jeremiah Gyang, Djinee, Shifi (Style Plus), Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince,Ruby, Lindsy, Leone, Banky W, 2face Idibia, Splint(Adole Joshua). he is also planning to record a track with coming up artist BodMan. (Bethel Odu Olofu) and also Adole Joshua.
Crowd Mentality – the first single off his album “Pyeri Boy” has topped every major chart in and around Nigeria and was number one on the Creative economy website www.creativeconomy.org.uk Soundtrack, beating music from Nine other countries around the world! Talk About It was one of 2008’s most anticipated album’s and it came on the heels of Asa’s self titled album, 9ice’s Gongo Aso, P Square’s Game Over, D’banj’s The Entertainer, Mo’hits All Stars’ Curriculum Vitae and Naeto C’s You Know My P.
Since its release, M.I. has won 7 awards including Best Rap Album and Hip Hop Revelation of the Year (Hip Hop World Awards 2009), Best New Artist and Nest Rapper(N.E.A Awards 2009), Musician of the Year (Modemen Awards 2008), Best Hip Hop Artist(City People Awards 2009) and won two bawards at the MTV MAMA Awards 2009 - Best New Act and Best Hip Hop and a nominee for BETS AWARDS in the U.S alongside the Legendary Jay-Z.
Also, his first video 'Safe' has won many awards in both the NMVA's, City People and other notable awards in Nigeria.
His second album titled 'MI 2' released late last year is currently in high demand in and outside the country.. It features production from Jesse Jagz, Mo'Hits' Don Jazzy, Dr Frabs, Frenzy and others. the first single from the album is 'Somebody Wants to Die' featuring Ice prince was said to be a feud reply to some unknown artist, and the second is titled 'Nobody' with 2face is already making its way up the charts. Other collabos include Mo'Hits, Ice prince and other unrevealed artistes.
He is currently signed on to the award winning Chocolate City Music label.
In this exclusive interview with NAIJANEWSROOM at his residence, the rappers’ rapper talked about his erarly life, the challenges he encounted on his way to the top and his feud with ‘maga don pay crooner’ Kelly Hansome and many more.
Excerpt:
You and Psquare made the BETS Awards nominees list last year for the first time in Africa and Nigeria especially. How did you receive the news of your nomination for the BETS Awards nomination?
I heard rumours about it but I wasn’t really sure until they called me and told me about it and out of doubt I said, ‘This is M.I. Where are you calling from?’ they said from the U.S, and this is the first time in the history of Nigeria music that we have these nominations especially from this part of the country. They (Psquare) are Ibo boys but I am from Taraba state. We both grow up in Jos and we have a very good experience there. So we are really grateful to God and I am also grateful to the fans. God have really, really lifted me high.
So how did you feel been on the same platform with the legendary Jay-Z?
(Laughs) It was something else. The feeling was great. I remember last year Pink was there. You know Pink is one of the greatest Musician on the globe. It was just mind boggling. Men! I was there as a fan. Make I no lie to you. Me I no fit lie you bros. I was just there as a fan. I was seeing people that I grow up listening to and seeing them right before me, it was like ‘Wow!’
But when you started music did you expect that you will go this far?
No. I didn’t even expect it up to the point of being nominated for the BETS Awards.
I understand you grow in the streets of Jos alongside Psquare and Jeremiah Gyang. It’s right to say that the streets made you?
Of course! One thing about Nigeria is that for any experience you have, you are bound to learn something from them and those experiences even made you stronger. So I worked with these experiences. Even when I travelled out of the country I miss these experiences. And I am grateful to these experiences that made me what I am today and be relevant in the society.
When actually did you pick this interest in music?
(Laughs) Na waoh, I think as soon as I was born o. even my mum said I was even singing when I was still in her womb. As soon as I was born I love music. I started playing keyboard and drum when I was around 4 to 5 years. Most time I love listening to my mum singing. Before now I have been a Dj. I have been a dancer. I have been a backup singer. I have been a manager. I was in the choir and I have been a producer. Infact I have been everything in music.
So it like you were jack of all trade but master of rap?
(Chuckles) well I don’t know if I would have been successful in all those things but at least for rap, I put in my best and I am really grateful to God for giving me the talent.
If you have been into these many things as you just mentioned, why the particular interest in rap music?
You know what? God has it own plan for you no matter what you decide to do. Of all I was doing then, I think Rapping gave me the most opportunity of been successful.
Most Nigeria artistes started in the choir and you earlier make mention of how you was also in the choir. Ho ha the choir influence your choice of music as a rap artiste?
The church is such a good and great place. Church is such a great place for young people to work. The choir is where were you can learn to play instruments and learn to sing…
(Cuts) and learn how to rap too?
Ahhhh! Noooo (laughs) I mean normal singing. When you are singing on stage, you will be learning how to perform, how to hold your breath and when it comes to rap nobody will teach you that. It’s just that you used what you have learned and just apply it.
And you didn’t do any bit of rap when you were in the choir?
No. I didn’t do that at all. It’s was later I started rapping.
You started in the choir singing Christian songs but right now you are into secular music. How will you relate to that?
My father didn’t minds because he knows in my heart I love music and I don’t make bad music. If you know what I mean. I don’t go into derogatory remarks. I talk about issue that affect the society and I talk about God too in my music. Who God has blessed no one can cause as people says. I try to use my music to inspire people. And in a way that is almost God want us to do. To inspires people. To makes people happy. As long as you are hard working God will always blessed you.
How does your preacher dad felt seeing his son doing secular rap music?
They were very proud of me.
(Cuts) You mean your preacher dad and pastor wife encourage you all the ways?
Yes they are my biggest fans. I believe every pastors should back every of their children that want to take to music as a career.
Most rappers are either under the influence of alcohol or cigarette. How often do you take these?
I don’t smoke and I don’t drink.
So where does your inspiration comes from since you don’t smoke or drink?
Well I don’t believe in that. Rappers are the most intelligent musicians because rapping involves a lot of thinking. Rapping is not just about making noise, bla, bla, bla. You have to think deeply from your first sentence. You have to rhythm. You have to tell a story that make sense and also drop punch lines and if you don’t think deeply you can’t do that.
But is rapping all about beef, dissing and the punch lines?
I don’t beef at all. I don’t beef. I don’t to try to diss and pull people down. It’s once I have spoken about somebody and it becomes very much publicize. And I want to slow down on that because I don’t want to have problem with anybody. I have released more than fifty or sixty song so far and its only one song that I called somebody name.
Who is that person and what happened?
If you don’t know I wouldn’t tell you who the person is (laughs). If you don’t know the person, let’s just move on. I am very happy. Press people normally know all these things so if you don’t know that one I am very happy. Let move on.
I am just pulling your leg. Its Kelly Hansome right?
Ahhhhhhhhhh! Gbe gbe gbe gbe. This guy don catch me. Well, this is what I will just say about Kelly handsome. Number one, I absolutely respect Kelly Hansome’s talent. I think he has personality problem. I say so. If you ask some other artistes, I am sure they will tell you the same thing. I think he is misguided if I should use that word. I have no problem with Kelly Handsome. I think he is actually talented. He sings ‘maga don pay shout allelulia…’ and one other song. I am just making my music. I called his name in a song but not in a bad way. We met and talked about it, but he turned around to attacked me.
Where does the problem actually started from?
In my first album I referred to him. I have a song called ‘fast money fast cars.’ Basically the story was about an imaginary young girl somewhere who was looking for someone to date and I will say ‘Ah! You M.I, you are a small boy o, instead make I follow you, I go follow your Oga.’ so in the song I was giving an example of boy and an Oga. I referred to Psquare and I sang ‘instead of Psquare I go follow Tjoe. Instead of Jim Iyke, I go follow Dangote.’ I even called president Goodluck Jonathan and Mike Adenuga names. I called many people’s names in the song, but then I now said, ‘instead of Kelly Handsome I gol follow Keke and D-one.’ I did not and I wasn’t trying to abuse him but we met and talked about it. I apologized to him and said ‘bros no vex o. I didn’t mean it that way.’ You understand? However two years after that album was released, I am now hearing that he is insulting me and castigating me about that making all sorts of comments. Me, I have people that will make comments on my behalf without saying anything. So I have learnt my lesson. I have a lot of fans and a lot of people love my music. A lot of people listen. So I have no beef with Kelly Handsome. No personal beef.
This issue is generating so much tension especially in the media that people have begin to imagine if both of you might not go physical if you eventually meet again?
(Laughs) Ahhh! Kelly Handsome is bigger than me so I wouldn’t want to go closer to him (general laughter). I can’t even do that. I am a mature person. I am focus on the business and I like what I am doing. God has blessed me. I will never raise a hand against Kelly Hansome. Even if he wants to beat me I will not react. I will just stand for him to beat me in whatever way he wants to do it. Whatever I said on that song was just joke. I wasn’t serious. Since he has already called my name and insulted me, I think everything is going to be fine. I respect what he is doing and I wish he can respect what I am doing and everything will fall in line. Some people like beef and I think he is focusing on the beef and using it as promo for his career. I don’t think it will work for him but if it works for him that is fine.
You said something that people like your music. Why do you think people like your music?
Its God O. there is no answer to it but God. When God is on your side, no weapon fashion against you can prosper. Nobody can fight against you. They can think, they can plan but they can’t bring their plan to fruition and God.
What make your rap style unique?
I can say it’s God. You can open a restaurant and be the best cook but if nobody is coming to your restaurant, no one will know about your dishes. Its God men! I can only give God the glory and also work harder. Work hard and leave the rest to God.
Can you tell us briefly about your growing up?
I grow in an average home. Like I said earlier my father is a pastor and I have two younger brothers. We live that aje butter life, you knows (laughs). Everything was very nice. We have nice cars and nice clothes to wear. Infact I grow up without lacking anything.
So you grow as aje-butter!
Of course!
Can you tell us about your educational background?
I grow up in Jos and I attended a good school. I went to a wonderful America school in Jos. My parents really tried because they didn’t have a lot of money. It not easy to be a man of God. I mean the real ones. I am not talking about the one that have sullied image or believe only prosperity messages. I am talking about people that really follow and more concern about only love, salvation and things like that. That they talk about me every day. Men! I am blessed
You talked about schooling in America. Which of the University did you attend?
Yeah! I went to a University in America and for all those people planning to go to America, just know that it’s not easy to make things work. you have to work harder. O boy I suffered o! I washed toilet. I clean tables. I worked in restaurants. I cut grass and did so many, many things just to make ends meet in America…
Why were you doing all this?
To get money for school fees. At the end of the day I couldn’t even afford the school fees I have to come back to Nigeria. But the truth about it is that there is no place like home. Abroad is not easy o. it’s hard unlike in Nigeria where we can make things better.
Any hope of getting quality education?
Yeah! As you can see I am working on my career. When I have time in my career I will take a time off and go to school.
So how easy was it for you to reorganize your life after leaving America for Nigeria?
Its not easy men! First because you have been to America they start looking at you like a Yankee boy. I wasn’t bother because I know God has a plan. If I was still in America I would be one unknown boy but here I am in Nigeria everybody knows me. I am doing well. I am making some money. I am been interview by National Life (Laughs). So God has his plan. Something when you go through some stuff that you don’t understand don’t forget God has his plans.
It’s possible to say your inability to get a degree in America make you take to music as a last resort?
Remember I said that I really love music before. I just wait for an opportunity. There are people that have talent that has never tried to make use of their talent. This created an opportunity for me but I always had school at the back of my mind. I still want to go back to school to get my Bsc and Msc.
were you into music when you were in America?
I was. Remember I told you I was a Dj.
Since you couldn’t get the degree why didn’t you just launch yourself into the music scene in America?
If you travel to America for the purpose of school. That school is your gateway to America. It’s better for you to come back. I could have renewed my visa and stay there. I have been to America like four times now and it doesn’t hungry me like that and I love Lagos. I just have to come back and do something meaningful so that I don’t have bad records in America.
When you came back to Nigeria after your failed mission in America how did you launched yourself into the music scene?
I will answer this question but I have advice for young artistes. For young artistes, whenever you want to go into music start with what you have. I started with what I have. Whenever there is show I go and perform.
Did you settle in Lagos immediately you came back or you went back to Jos?
I went back to Jos.
So when did you come back to Lagos?
When I was performing in show Jos and people now started liking my music then I moved to Lagos.
When did you come to Lagos?
I came here 2007.
How were you able to raise money to records your first song?
I was working. I have a job before I now quit the job around 2005 to join my brother, Jessy Jags in the studio.
What kind of job were you doing?
I was working in an IT company.
When you came and was making several efforts to launch yourself into the music scene, was there anybody that was of immense help to you?
Oh! Many, many. People like Djinee. It’s like my senior brother. It was there for me. He allows me stayed in his place and made a lot of sacrifice for me. I won’t really stop talking about Djinee. There were a lot of people that helped along the way. I used Djinee as a point of contact to them because it was really instrument.
How did you come in contact with Audu Maikori’s chocolate city?
Jeremaih Gyang is a chocolate city artiste and he’s like a brother to me. So he was the one that told chocolate city ‘E get one boy wen dey hot now o.’ we met and we put pen to paper.
Just like that. Very easy?
(Laughs) as we are talking about it now. It’s very easy but it wasn’t easy at all.
Who were the rappers that influence you when you were growing up?
I have Jay-Z, DMX and Lauryn Hill. These three really influenced me into music, though I love Tupac and some others.
What if you come in contact with Jay-Z what will you tell him?
Ah! baba (Laughs) Ah! That one na baba, egbon. The only heavyweight rapper in the world. Infact, I will first of all knell down for him and says, ‘baba I am blessed in your present o. you are a legend.’ I will first of all let him know that he influenced me into the game.
How did you feel when fans refer to you as the Kanye West of Africa?
Hmmm! It’s good. When a new player is discovered that can perform magic on the field they will say, ‘It’s like Okocha.’ People always make reference to who they know. It doesn’t really bother me. I am M.I.
What did you have to say about your second album M.I.2 that was just released into the market?
I never thought that Alaba could pay so much. God have being very good to us and to everybody out there that have gotten a copy God bless you all. You keep getting me higher and God will never let you down
Of the two albums, ‘talk about it’ and ‘M.I.2’ which one recorded the higher sale?
I think M.I.2 have already done more than half of what ‘talk about it’ have done because now people know me more than before. And the song ‘Africa rapper be number one’ those boys in the really bought that song. So I think M.I.2 is bigger than ‘talk about it.’
What is your relationship with Kel at the moment?
(Long laughter) I have not even see Kel like for two months now. We just pick blackberry and communicate. We have not being close like that anymore. She is very busy and I am very busy. Before we were very, very close friends and people felt we were dating. I am not dating Kel and I never dated Kel. We are just friend.
But you are in a relationship at the moment?
Well… (Laughs). You don ask question wey no get answer. This question have no ‘yes’ and no ‘no.’
In order words, M.I is still single and searching?
Well, I can’t go front, I can’t go back. I can’t go left, I can’t go right too (Laugh). I can only say ‘Oga journalist. I hail o.’
What kind of girl appeal to you?
A girl with a good heart and a good spirit.
Can you marry a girl that is short as short as you?
Ah! Noooo(laughs). My girl must be tall so that my children can be taller than me. I don’t want my children to be as short as I am because when they come out it will be like, ‘Ah. Wetin be this. Why now?’(Laughs). So my girl must be tall.
Are there any girls in the music industry that you would like to flow with?
Ah! Them many o. I can’t start calling all of them.
Can you mention a few names?
Yeah. Sasha, Kel, Mocheda, Ashionye, Beyoola. They are great. I believe Nigeria diva are the best.
What if you have the opportunity to have a fling with any of them?
(Laughs) let go there now. Let go there (general laughter)
Can you afford to marry someone in the music industry?
Why not? It’s all about your maturity
You referred to yourself as the short black boy. How short are you?
Ah! I am not so short o. God created me like this and people think I am very short. I am not also very tall. I am just standard (laughs). But I won’t tell you my high. It just like that girlfriend issue. I can’t go left and I can’t go right.
You have a studio in this house. Are you into music productions?
Yeah1 I do music for myself. Actually this studio is not for the world it’s for me alone. I actually have some group of artiste and we come together to do stuff. I mean artiste like Leony, the musical wonderboy. Jessy Jagz, Ice Prince and of course M.I. we put up the studio together.
Is there any artiste you would like to work with on the global scene?
Yeah. The only artiste I want to work with is Jay-Z. That guy is so good. You know? That is the only guy that intimidates me (laughs). It’s just like you dey play football with Okocha when he dribble past you your leg go break. So make I just respect myself.
So after M.I.2 what next?
Well, let push this album first and shoot a couple of video. You know ice prince just came out now with ‘Oleku’ collecting the whole money
It there any particular incidence that almost marred your career?
I remember the accident I had last year on my way to Calabar but God was in control. Men! I have been blessed. I have been blessed. Meanwhile, I thank my fans and my colleagues for their support. God Bless everybody.
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