25/03/2024
TREND MAN PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK
WEEK 12
Dated : 25th March, 2024
MI Abaga
Jude Lemfani Abaga (born 4 October 1981), commonly known by his stage name M.I Abaga, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He gained recognition in 2006 with the popularization of his track "Crowd Mentality" in his home city of Jos. His debut studio album, Talk About It, was introduced in 2008, followed by MI 2: The Movie in 2010. Subsequently, he unveiled his third studio album, The Chairman, four years later. Additionally, Abaga released the playlist Rendezvous in February 2018, followed by A Study On Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl, in August of the same year. He released "The Guy" album in 2022.
Abaga was CEO of Chocolate City from 2015 to 2019. In March 2020, he announced his exit from the label and launched his own record label Incredible Music.
He won 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.
Jude was born in Jos, Plateau State. His parents, Pastor and Mrs. Abaga, are from Takum, Taraba state, both of Jukun-Nigerian descent. He attended Baptist High School, Jos where his mother purchased basic music notations and later, a 7-key mini piano which launched him into the music world. Jude has two brothers, Jesse Jagz, who is also in the Nigerian and African music scene, and Jason Abaga.
Back in Jos, Nigeria, he established Loopy Music with his brother, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Ruby, Threadstone, Lindsay, Moses (Elbulk), and E kelly. M.I was eventually signed to the Chocolate City firm, a well-known music label in Nigeria, which forced him to relocate from Jos to the nation's capital, Abuja, and influenced the start of his successful career in the Nigerian music industry. He has also received international recognition in South Africa from the popular Channel O music Award, MTVbase Awards and the American BET Awards. A proficient producer, lyricist, songwriter and instrumentalist, M.I has been described by DIV .as the future of African hip-hop.
On 22 September 2022, M.I and Eniola Mafe got
married in Lagos.
M.I was appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in 2012.M.I also supports the Jostified campaign.He has achieved worldwide recognition as part of the vanguard of the "Afrobeats" wave.
Mi also founded TASCK Creative Agency and Ignite by TASCK all geared to helping the young African creative to foster change.
Musicians who have cited M.I as inspirations to them include Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Odumodublvck,Phyno, Show Dem Camp, Khaligraph Jones, Cassper Nyovest,Nasty C ,Blaqbonez, Ladipoe, A.Q, Loose Kaynon and Ric Hassani.
Thanks for checking, there is a lot to know about this great personality. for more follow him on all socials.