Jude Lemfani Abaga (born 4 October 1981) 43 years old, better known as MI Abaga or M.I, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and record producer born in Jos, plateau State but his parents are 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. He later proceeded to Calvin College, Michigan, where he studied Business and Economics. He performed in school shows and concerts.
Abaga began his music career after he had returned to Nigeria in 2003. His first album “Talk about it” contained songs like “money” “forever ” “FMFC featuring Wizkid. This album gathered million streams and 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. The mixtape was followed by Illegal Music II 2012
MI 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 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 and On 6 March 2020, Abaga announced his departure from Chocolate City. And later dropped an Album in titled “the guy”.
In 2023 he was appointed special adviser to Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State.
M.I supports the Justified campaign. He has achieved worldwide recognition as part of the vanguard of the “Afrobeats” wave.
Artists who have cited M.I as inspirations to them include Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Olamide Odumodublvck, Phyno, Show Dem Camp, Khaligraph Jones, Bemshima, Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C, Blaqbonez, Ladipoe, A.Q, Loose Kaynon, Ric Hassani.
Jude Lemfani Abaga (born 4 October 1981) 43 years young, better known as MI Abaga or M.I, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and record producer born in Jos, plateau State but his parents are from Takum in Taraba State..
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. He later proceeded to Calvin College, Michigan, where he studied Business and Economics. He performed in school shows and concerts.
Abaga began his music career after he had returned to Nigeria in 2003. His first album “Talk about it” contained songs like “money” “forever ” “FMFC featuring Wizkid. This album gathered million streams and 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. The mixtape was followed by Illegal Music II 2012
MI 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 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 and On 6 March 2020, Abaga announced his departure from Chocolate City. And later dropped an Album in titled “the guy”.
In 2023 he was appointed special adviser to Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State.
M.I supports the Justified campaign. He has achieved worldwide recognition as part of the vanguard of the “Afrobeats” wave.
Artists who have cited M.I as inspirations to them include Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Odumodublvck, Phyno, Show Dem Camp, Khaligraph Jones, Bemshima, Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C SA , Blaqbonez, Ladipoe, A.Q, Loose Kaynon, Ric Hassani.
He is currently married, has 1.6M followers on Instagram, 842k on Facebook and 221k monthly listeners on Spotify. HIS estimated net worth is $10 million. His wealth comes from multiple streams, including music sales, streaming platforms, endorsement deals, and his executive role at Chocolate City. M.I has secured several high-profile brand endorsements with companies like Globacom, Martell, and others, which have significantly boosted his income.
MI’s contribution to the Nigerian hip-hop scene is immeasurable. He is credited with bringing the genre to the forefront of Nigerian music and inspiring a new generation of rappers, such as Falzthebahdguy , Ladipoe, and Blaqbonez., making him not just an artist but a mentor to many.
Source: Awesome BMB
