In a recent interview with Sunday Scoop, renowned rapper and music producer Jude Abaga, popularly known as MI, has expressed his belief that decentralizing Nigeria’s entertainment industry is crucial for its development.
MI emphasized the need for various regions across the country to become thriving hubs of creativity, similar to what is observed in countries like South Africa, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
MI highlighted the example of South Africa, where different cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg serve as centers for film production and music video shoots, respectively. He stressed that such decentralization leads to overall industry growth and contributes to the nation’s advancement.
“In Nigeria, we only have Lagos as the primary entertainment hub, but there is a significant drop-off in other regions,” MI remarked.
“Places like Plateau State have the potential to develop and contribute significantly to the industry. As someone with experience in the industry, I believe it’s time to give back, and I’m starting from Jos.”
The rapper also addressed the mental health challenges faced by individuals in the creative industry. He emphasized the heightened risk of mental health issues among creatives, attributing it to factors such as rejection, hopelessness, and negativity.
MI expressed concern about the prevalence of drug abuse among artists as a coping mechanism for dealing with these challenges.
“Many artists are turning to drug abuse as a result of the pressure and lack of support in the industry,” MI stated. “We need collective efforts to address these issues and provide better support systems for creatives in Nigeria and Africa.”
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Jude Lemfani Abaga, famously known by his stage moniker M.I Abaga, emerged onto the Nigerian music scene as a multifaceted artist encompassing roles as a rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer.
His ascent began in 2006 when his track “Crowd Mentality” gained traction, marking his arrival in the industry. The release of his debut album, “Talk About It,” in 2008 solidified his presence, followed by “MI 2: The Movie” in 2010 and “The Chairman” in 2014.
Notably, Abaga’s musical journey extends beyond traditional albums, with projects like the playlist “Rendezvous” in 2018 and “A Study On Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl” later that year, showcasing his versatility and evolution as an artist. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to helm Chocolate City as CEO from 2015 to 2019 before venturing out to establish his own record label, Incredible Music.
Throughout his career, Abaga has amassed accolades, including Best Hip Hop and Best New Act at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards, underscoring his impact and influence in the African music landscape.
Beyond his musical endeavors, Abaga’s contributions extend to advocacy, as exemplified by his appointment as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in 2012 and his support for initiatives such as the Jostified campaign.
