M.I Abaga bio: age, career, wife, net worth.
M.I Abaga is a gifted creative and one of the forefathers of Nigerian hip-hop music; his contribution to the Nigerian music business, which happens to be the largest in Africa, is enormous.
Chocolate City’s CEO is M.I Abaga. He is a Nigerian rapper who also works as a record producer, songwriter, and musician. M.I’s rap style has been compared to those of Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Jay-Z. Chocolate City, his company, has just struck a massive agreement with Warner Music.
M.I Abaga: Profile summary
REAL NAME | Jude Abaga |
STAGE NAME | MI Abaga |
DATE OF BIRTH | October 4, 1981 |
PLACE OF BIRTH | Jos, Nigeria |
STATE OF ORIGIN | Taraba State |
NATIONALITY | Nigerian |
PROFESSION(S) | Rapper, Record Producer, Businessman |
RECORD LABEL | Chocolate City (Former) |
NET WORTH | $5 Million |
M.I Abaga: Early Life, Education And Music Career
M.I Abaga aka Jude Abaga was born 4th October 1981 in Jos, Plateau State. He was born to Nigerian parents, Pastor and Mrs Abaga, M.I hails from Taraba state, Nigeria he is of Jukun descent. Jude has two brothers, Jesse Jagz who is also in the Nigerian music Industry, and Jason Abaga.
He attended Baptist High School, Jos. while M.I was in school her mother notice the love had for Music as well as playing musical instrument, so she purchased him basic music notations to learn the rudiments of music before she later purchased a 7-key mini piano which launched him fully into the music world.
When M.I was growing up, he would listen to tracks from Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, Sarah Maclachlan, Pablo Neruda, Jay-Z and DMX. He proceeded to Calvin College, Michigan, USA, where he studied Engineering for only a year before he moved on to major in Business and Economics.
M.I Abaga: Relationship, Wife
M.I Abaga isn’t known to be dating or married, neither does he have children.
However, a viral report began to make the rounds this month (April 2022) saying M.I Abaga got engaged to one Eniola Mafe and she said yes.
Some hours after their engagement, Eniola shared a portrait of herself with the caption that reads
2022 is about to be a great year! The universe is just out here looking out for your girl” and her lover, M.I Abaga responded with love struck emojis.
Findings shows that Eniola Mafe holds a M.A. from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Washington, D.C. and a B.A from Spelman College (Phi Beta Kappa).
M.I Abaga: Career In Calvin College
M.I Abaga‘s foray into the hip hop realm began in 1998 with the sampling of musical works by DMX and Lauryn Hill. Following his time at Calvin College in Michigan, he experimented with poetry and comedy, but opted to stick to music since he was humiliated when no one else laughed but him. He was a regular performer at the school’s main hip hop showcases and concerts. His outstanding rap flows and attitude earned him a third-place finish at the Calvin College event titled ‘HipHopera’ in 2003, which was actually Calvin College’s only “hip hop show.” He performed all of this while studying Business and Economics at Calvin College in Michigan, USA. M.I. attended Calvin College from 1998 to 2003.
M.I Abaga: Career In Nigeria
M.I Abaga began his singing career after moving to Nigeria in 2003. He began recording mixtapes with his friend Djinee to find his position in an industry dominated by the likes of Modenine, Ruggedman, and Eedris Abdulkareem. This resulted in the highly praised tune Safe, which had a lot of broadcast on African radio and music video outlets like MTV Vibe. M.I formed Loopy Music alongside his brother – Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Ruby, Threadstone, Lindsay, Moses – Elbulk, and E-kelly.
M.I was then signed to the Chocolate City company, a renowned Nigerian music label, which was the reason he went from Jos to Abuja, and this also affected the start of his great career in the Nigerian music industry. M.I, a skilled producer, rapper, songwriter, and instrumentalist, has been dubbed the “future of African Hip Hop” by DIV.
M.I Abaga: As A Producer
As a producer, M.I Abaga has produced and featured on the works of several artists including Don Jazzy, Threadstone – the first rock band in Nigeria, Kel, Djinee, Shifi of Styl Plus, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Ruby, Lindsey, Leony, Wizkid, etc. Although he is the CEO of Chocolate City, he still owns his own production company – Rytchus Era Productions, with his brother Jesse Jagz.
M.I Abaga has helped several upcoming artistes come to limelight, some of these artists are Wizkid, Vypa, Jesse Jagz, Ruby, Pype, Ice Prince, Brymo, and KhaliGraph Jones.
Also, with his music, he imprint a Northern presence in the Nigerian music industry. By doing so, he is seen as one who wants to bring Nigeria together through music. Hence, Nigerian hip hop fans describe him as Nigeria’s Hip Hop Messiah.
M.I Abaga: Awards And Nomination
Won
- Best Rap Single – The Headies Award 2018 (You Rappers Should Fix Up Your Lives)
- Lyricist on the Roll – The Headies Award 2018 (You Rappers Should Fix Up Your Lives
- Best Rap Album The Chairman- The Headies 2015
- Best Rap Album 2009 –Hip Hop world Awards
- Hip Hop Revelation 2009 – Hip Hop World Awards
- Best New Act of the Year 2009 – Nigerian Entertainment Awards
- Best Rap Single 2008 – Hip Hop World Awards
- Musician of the Year– Modemen Awards 2008
- Best New Act- MTV Africa Music Awards 2009
- Best Use of Special Effects in a video-NMVA 2009
- Best Mainstream Hip Hop Video-NMVA 2009
- Musician of the Year-The Future Awards 2010
- Musician of the Year – City People 2010
- Artist of the Year – National Daily 2010
- Musician of the Year – Malaysian African Entertainments Awards 2010
- Most Amiable Brand – Orange Wall of Fame 2010
- Lyricist On The Roll – The Headies Awards
- Best Rap Single – The Headies Awards 2018
M.I Abaga: Nominations
- Best Performer – The Headies Award 2018
- Best Rap Single – The Headies 2015
- Album Of The Year (The Chairman) – The Headies 2015
- Best Rap Album-Hip Hop World Awards 2009
- Lyricist on the Roll-Hip Hop World Awards 2009
- HipHop Revelation-Hip Hop World Awards 2009
- Musician of the Year-Modemen Awards 2008
- Lyricist on the Roll-Hip Hop World Awards 2008
- Best Rap Single-Hip Hop World Awards 2008
- Next Rated- Hip Hop World Awards 2008
- Best Mainstream Hip Hop Video- Nigerian Music Video Awards 2009
- Best Director(Mex)- Nigerian Music Video Awards 2009
- Video of The Year-Nigerian Music Video Awards 2009
- Best Use of Special Effects in a video-Nigerian Music Video Awards 2009
- Musician of the Year-The Future Awards 2009
- Face of Hope Ambassador- Face of Hope Nigeria Project
- Best Rap Single-Hip Hop World Awards 2010
- Lyricist on the Roll-Hip Hop World Awards 2010
- Best International Act- BET Awards 2010
- Artiste of the Year – The Headies 2011
- Album of the Year (Mi2) – The Headies 2011
- Artist of the Year- Diaspora Professionals, Dubai 2011
M.I Abaga: Popular Quotes
“Imagine if our young women were protected by all of society so they grow with joy and vibrancy…”
“If you have to yell, remind people who you are, or rely on your authority, then you are not a leader, you are only trying to rule.”
“He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.”
“You could be a king for a day, and the next day you’re in chains…”
“I am never too big to do anything, the day I believe I am too big for anything, then my career is over.”
“What you really want in life is to do a good job, and leave with your head held high.”
M.I Abaga: Net worth
According to wealthresult.com, M.I Agbage is worth $3.9million.