Punch Newspapers
Sections
Published 31 January 2021
Ace rapper, Jude Abaga, better known as MI, speaks with MOBOLA SADIQ on why he left his former record label, Chocolate City, how he has managed to keep his private life off social media and other issues
You
have been described by some fans as ‘Hip hop messiah’. How does that make you feel?
This is something they care about and would like to see leaders within the genre and also elevate the style of music. In that way, it is an amazing compliment and I am grateful for that. However, note that the word ‘messiah’ is used by fans in a metaphoric manner. But, it also gives me something to aspire towards, which is making sure I always do my best.
Ameyaw Debrah
Published 2 months ago
Jude Abaga, better known by his stage name M.I Abaga, is a Nigerian hip hop recording artist, executive and record producer.
Growing up listening to global music veterans like Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, Sarah Maclachlan, Pablo Neruda, Jay-Z and DMX helped in shaping the musicians career. He would later go on to gather critical acclaim by winning the Best Hip Hop and Best New Act at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards 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 M.I 2 (2010). Four years after that, he released his third studio album titled The Chairman. When his record label chief stepped down as CEO, Jude was tapped to be the next CEO of the record label.
7 min read
Chocolate City and EbonyLife TV have announced a strategic partnership called
‘Chocolate City Unsigned’, a genuine homegrown reality TV show created to search for the next Africa’s biggest music star, spearheaded by Chocolate City, one of Africa’s biggest indigenous record labels, and EbonyLife TV, Africa’s first Global Black Entertainment and Lifestyle network and production powerhouse.
This project was announced at a press conference which held on January 28, 2016, and which had in attendance the Executive Chairman and CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu; President of Chocolate City Group, Audu Makori; CEO of Chocolate City, Jude Abaga (M.I), as well as Victoria Kimani, and other key Chocolate City talents.
TODAY
December 12, 2020
Popular rapper, Jude Abaga, popularly called M.I, has disclosed that Nigerian musicians sign publishing deals with foreign firms because of lack of structure in the Nigerian music industry, therefore, making them pay their taxes to foreign firms and hire foreign staffers.
M.I disclosed this at a virtual symposium organised by the Harvard Kenny School Alumni Association of Nigeria on Friday.
The rapper, who was speaking at the symposium with the theme, ‘The Africa Policy Dialogue Series: Harnessing Africa’s Demographic Dividend for Peace, Security and Productivity through Investments in Youth’, stated that the modern music industry started in 2000 but it took many years before musicians could begin to benefit.
Charles Ajunwa
Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, yesterday said Nigerian youths have a right to demand good governance and an end to police brutality in the country.
However, he said they should employ stealth rather than brigandage in pushing for social change.
The governor, who spoke at a virtual symposium titled, “The Africa Policy Dialogue Series: Harnessing Africa’s Demographic Dividend for Peace, Security and Productivity through Investments in Youth”, organised by the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of Nigeria, said during his time as an activist, he knew when to pause and negotiate with the government, hence his successes.