M.I Abaga

Jude Lemfani Abaga (born October 4, 1981), widely known by his stage name M.I Abaga, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is regarded as one of the most significant and influential figures in Nigerian and African hip hop, often credited with revolutionizing the genre on the continent.Early Life and Education M.I Abaga was born in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, where he also grew up. His early musical journey began in his hometown, performing in school shows and concerts. After completing his formal education, he returned to Nigeria in 2003 to actively pursue his music career.Career Progression Abaga gained national prominence in 2006 when his song "Crowd Mentality" became a popular hit, particularly in Jos. Following this success, he released his critically acclaimed debut studio album, *Talk About It*, on December 11, 2008. This album established him as a major force in the Nigerian music industry. He followed up with *MI 2: The Movie* (2010), *The Chairman* (2014), and a playlist titled *Rendezvous* (2018). In addition to his solo career, M.I Abaga served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the prominent Nigerian record label, Chocolate City, from June 2015 to 2019. In February 2020, he announced his departure from Chocolate City to launch his own record label, Incredible Music.Major Achievements and Notable Works M.I Abaga is known for his lyrical depth and his role in elevating the status of Nigerian hip hop globally. Notable works include his debut album *Talk About It* (2008) and the popular mixtape *Illegal Music 3 - The Finale* (2016), which garnered over 400,000 free downloads in just three days. His awards include the Best Hip-Hop Act at the MTV Africa Music Awards in 2009, and he was nominated for the BET Awards for Best International Act in 2010. He also received the national honor of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).Current Status M.I Abaga continues to be an active figure in the music scene through his label, Incredible Music. His most recent studio album, *The Guy*, was released in 2022. He is married to Eniola Mafe-Abaga (m. 2022) and remains one of Africa’s most celebrated rappers.