Jude Abaga
Encyclopedia
Jude Abaga, better known by stage name M.I, meaning Mr Incredible, is a Nigerian Hip hop
Artist. He has won Several Awards including the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009 and was Nominated for BET 2010 Awards for the Best International Act Category. He rose to prominence in 2006, when his song "Crowd Mentality" became popular in his hometown Jos. He is signed to Chocolate City music label. On the 11th of December 2008, M.I released his critically acclaimed debut album, Talk About It.
Abia State
where he grew up with his parents, Mr and Mrs Abaga, both of Nigerian descent. He attended Baptist High School, Jos(the same school which has graduated another top-notch upcoming rapper,Enoch Olalude, popularly known as Bugsi) 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. During Jude's adolescence, he would listen to tracks from Lauryn Hill
, Robert Nesta Marley, Sarah Machlaclan, Pablo Neruda
, Jay-Z
and DMX
.http://.www.museumstuff.com/learn/topics/Jude_Abaga::sub::Early_Life
Jude's venture in the Hip Hop
world started with the sampling of musical works from DMX
and Lauryn Hill
as early as 1998. After his stint at Calvin College
, Michigan
, USA, he delved into Poetry
while pursuing a career in Business and Economics. There, he performed regularly at the school's major Hip Hop
shows and concerts. His impressive rap flows and attitude gained him a third place finish at the Calvin College
show tagged 'HipHopera' in 2003, which was actually the only "hip hop show" that Calvin College ever had. M.I. also made some amateur attempts at comedy, but decided to stick to music
because he was embarrassed when nobody laughed but him.http://chocolatecitygroup.com/artists/mi/
The hype surrounding the release of Safe led to the critical acclaim given to his first studio album titled Let's Talk About It.http://www.gbedunation.com/profile/MI The album gathered awards such as Musician of the Year (Modemen Awards in 2008), Best Hip Hop Artist (City People Awards)..His first mixtape was PYERIBOY. He later went on to bring out a sample mixtape, ILLEGAL MUSIC,in which he fully exploits his lyrical prowess.http://www.jaguda.com/2009/03/16/mi-illegal-music/
Back in Jos Nigeria, he teamed up with his brother,Jesse Jagz, IcePrince, Ruby, lindsay,Moses (Elbulk),E kelly to form a record label, called LOOPY records, and they perform every Sunday at an open bar, with a theme tagged Jam Session. M.I was later signed to the Chocolate City company, a renowned music label in Nigeria, which made him move from Jos city to the nation's capital Abuja and also influenced the beginning 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 also the American BET Awards.. To most people Jude Abaga is known as the best lyricist Nigeria has seen. A proficient producer, lyricist, songwriter and instrumentalist, M.I has been described by DIV as the future of African Hip-Hop. He has produced and featured on the works of artists like, Don Jazzy, Kel, Djinee, Shifi (Style Plus), Jesse Jags, Ice Prince, Ruby, Lindsey, Leony e.t.c. He also runs a production company, Rytchus Era Productions with his brother Jesse Abaga (Jesse Jagz).
- Hit singles include: Safe, Crowd mentality, Short black boy, Anoti, African Rapper No.1
- His second album, MI2: The Movie, is the highest selling album on the most popular musical Nigerian website – http://www.notjustok.com
- In the week of the second album release, November 2010, MI was number 7 trending topic globally on Twitter –http://webtrendsng.com/.../breaking-news-nigerian-artiste-mi-abagas-album-launch-trends-on-twitter-mi2/
. He has been described by many Nigerian Hip Hop fans as Nigerias Hip Hop Messiah http://www.iwantairplay.com/news/official--mi-2-set-for-premiere http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/nvnewsthread2/7602/4/
MI has done a lot to bring a Northern presence to the Nigerian music industry, he is a perfect example of bring Nigeria together. His music is conscious; therefore he is a leader in many ways to the youth of Nigeria. He is the founder of Loopy Records, and he is signed to Chocolate City. M.I produces with Chocolate City, and has produced albums and songs for his labelmates. The most notable of these being in 2011 when he produced Ice Prince's album Everybody Loves Ice Prince
on the track. Less than 48 hrs after the release of MI’s “Somebody Want To Die” IceBerg Slim released “Assassination” and sources quote that his Facebook status at the time of the release read figures, since Somebody Wants To Die, I’ll be responsible for the ‘Assassination’ …let the countdown begin…(I told em it would be a M.I.stake, but they didn’t listen).http://www.jaguda.com/2009/08/18/mi-somebody-wants-to-die-feat-ice-prince-beef-with-iceberg-slim/. M.I. released a track on his latest project, M.I.2 named BEEF which was his final reply to Iceberg Slim. There has been a contest in the mind of rap fans on who happens to be the best rapper in Nigeria presently, M.I has developed more fans than Iceberg Slim and has more hit records while Iceberg Slim has gained hearts on Nigerian rap fans in a very short and unusual period.
None of these rappers have come out openly to declare or settle this beef talk, but Nigerian rap fans have their hands folded on what’s going to be next and obviously can’t wait for Iceberg Slim to drop his album.http://audionigeria.com/?p=183
Debut Album Talk About It (2008) features the hits
Mixtape Illegal Music (album)|Illegal Music (2009)
His current Album M.I 2 (2010) features the hits:
Nominations
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
Artist. He has won Several Awards including the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009 and was Nominated for BET 2010 Awards for the Best International Act Category. He rose to prominence in 2006, when his song "Crowd Mentality" became popular in his hometown Jos. He is signed to Chocolate City music label. On the 11th of December 2008, M.I released his critically acclaimed debut album, Talk About It.
Early life
Jude was born in UmuahiaUmuahia
Umuahia is the capital of Abia State in southeastern Nigeria. Umuahia is located along the rail road that lies between Port Harcourt to Umuahia's south and Enugu city to its north. Umuahia has a population of 359,230 according to the 2006 Nigerian census. Umuahia's indigenous ethnic group are the...
Abia State
Abia State
Abia State is a state in southeastern Nigeria. The capital is Umuahia, although the major commercial city is Aba, formerly a British colonial government outpost. The state was created in 1991 from part of Imo State and its citizens are predominantly Igbo people...
where he grew up with his parents, Mr and Mrs Abaga, both of Nigerian descent. He attended Baptist High School, Jos(the same school which has graduated another top-notch upcoming rapper,Enoch Olalude, popularly known as Bugsi) 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
Jesse Jagz
Jesse Garba Abaga, popularly know as Jesse Jagz born August 10, 1984 is a Nigerian hip hop artist, rapper, singer, producer and songwriter...
who is also in the Nigerian and African music scene, and Jason Abaga. During Jude's adolescence, he would listen to tracks from Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
, Robert Nesta Marley, Sarah Machlaclan, Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda was the pen name and, later, legal name of the Chilean poet, diplomat and politician Neftalí Ricardo Reyes Basoalto. He chose his pen name after Czech poet Jan Neruda....
, Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
and DMX
DMX (rapper)
Earl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
.http://.www.museumstuff.com/learn/topics/Jude_Abaga::sub::Early_Life
Jude's venture in the Hip Hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
world started with the sampling of musical works from DMX
DMX (rapper)
Earl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
and Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
as early as 1998. After his stint at Calvin College
Calvin College
Calvin College is a comprehensive liberal arts college located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1876, Calvin College is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church and stands in the Reformed tradition of Protestantism...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, USA, he delved into Poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
while pursuing a career in Business and Economics. There, he performed regularly at the school's major Hip Hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
shows and concerts. His impressive rap flows and attitude gained him a third place finish at the Calvin College
Calvin College
Calvin College is a comprehensive liberal arts college located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1876, Calvin College is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church and stands in the Reformed tradition of Protestantism...
show tagged 'HipHopera' in 2003, which was actually the only "hip hop show" that Calvin College ever had. M.I. also made some amateur attempts at comedy, but decided to stick to music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
because he was embarrassed when nobody laughed but him.http://chocolatecitygroup.com/artists/mi/
Career
Jude began his music career when he returned to Nigeria in 2003. Finding his place in an industry dominated by the likes of Modenine, Ruggedman and Eedris Abdulkareem, he quickly commenced the production of mixtapes with his friend Djinee. This led to the critically acclaimed single "Safe", which has gathered impressive airplay by African radio and music video stations such as MTV Vibe. The track also earned him awards at the Nigerian Music Video Awards, City People, N.E.A amongst others.The hype surrounding the release of Safe led to the critical acclaim given to his first studio album titled Let's Talk About It.http://www.gbedunation.com/profile/MI The album gathered awards such as Musician of the Year (Modemen Awards in 2008), Best Hip Hop Artist (City People Awards)..His first mixtape was PYERIBOY. He later went on to bring out a sample mixtape, ILLEGAL MUSIC,in which he fully exploits his lyrical prowess.http://www.jaguda.com/2009/03/16/mi-illegal-music/
Back in Jos Nigeria, he teamed up with his brother,Jesse Jagz, IcePrince, Ruby, lindsay,Moses (Elbulk),E kelly to form a record label, called LOOPY records, and they perform every Sunday at an open bar, with a theme tagged Jam Session. M.I was later signed to the Chocolate City company, a renowned music label in Nigeria, which made him move from Jos city to the nation's capital Abuja and also influenced the beginning 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 also the American BET Awards.. To most people Jude Abaga is known as the best lyricist Nigeria has seen. A proficient producer, lyricist, songwriter and instrumentalist, M.I has been described by DIV as the future of African Hip-Hop. He has produced and featured on the works of artists like, Don Jazzy, Kel, Djinee, Shifi (Style Plus), Jesse Jags, Ice Prince, Ruby, Lindsey, Leony e.t.c. He also runs a production company, Rytchus Era Productions with his brother Jesse Abaga (Jesse Jagz).
Rapping Technique
Tripol of Blaze-A-Mic describes M.I's flow as "easy going but packed full of punches". Similarities in styles have also been drawn to renowned rappers such as Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Jay-Z. Those who know M.I. well have also compared his ego with both that of Kanye West and Jay-Z.M.I Facts
- His first album sold 30000 copies in the first 30 minutes of release (TJoe distributions December 2008)- Hit singles include: Safe, Crowd mentality, Short black boy, Anoti, African Rapper No.1
- His second album, MI2: The Movie, is the highest selling album on the most popular musical Nigerian website – http://www.notjustok.com
- In the week of the second album release, November 2010, MI was number 7 trending topic globally on Twitter –http://webtrendsng.com/.../breaking-news-nigerian-artiste-mi-abagas-album-launch-trends-on-twitter-mi2/
M.I's Contribution
M.I's role in the music industry cannot be overstated. He has been responsible for bringing out many upcoming artistes such as Wizkid, Jesse Jagz, Ruby, Pype, Ice Prince and the latest is BrymoBrymo
Brymo is a Nigerian singer, composer, songwriter and recording artist signed to the Chocolate City music label.-Early life:...
. He has been described by many Nigerian Hip Hop fans as Nigerias Hip Hop Messiah http://www.iwantairplay.com/news/official--mi-2-set-for-premiere http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/nvnewsthread2/7602/4/
MI has done a lot to bring a Northern presence to the Nigerian music industry, he is a perfect example of bring Nigeria together. His music is conscious; therefore he is a leader in many ways to the youth of Nigeria. He is the founder of Loopy Records, and he is signed to Chocolate City. M.I produces with Chocolate City, and has produced albums and songs for his labelmates. The most notable of these being in 2011 when he produced Ice Prince's album Everybody Loves Ice Prince
Everybody Loves Ice Prince
Everybody Loves Ice Prince is the debut studio album by Nigerian recording artist Ice Prince, first released on October 9, 2011 by Chocolate City Music. The album was recorded predominantly in 2010.The Abaga brothers, Jude and Jesse worked to produce the album along with Audu Maikori, Yahaya...
Controversy
There has been a little rivalry between Nigerian artists, M.I. Abaga and Kelly Hansome. In the first open diss, M.I. in his track “Fast Money, Fast Cars” states, Kelly Hansome is hansome, I’ll tell him when I see him. But if i want a man, it’d be Keke or D1.” From this they both have gone track for track with Kelly Hansome releasing “Catch Me If You Can”, where he goes in on the whole Chocolate City label. In response, the Choc City camp released “Nobody Test Me” with a line from M.I talking directly to Kelly Hansome, (OR any other Kelly he had beef with at the time. Later, Kelly Hansome released “Chocolate Boys” Chocolate City members. M.I. released a track on his latest project, M.I.2 named “BEEF”. With Kelly hearing this, has now brought out his latest track “FINISH YOU BOY”.http://amebor.com/kelly-mi-beef/. in 2009 a US based rapper by the name Iceberg Slim released a single titled Mr International where he said the lines Am I beter than M.I? I Don't know. Am i? Matter of fact you should ask M.I.That apparently didn’t sit too well with MI, prompting him to release a single known as Somebody wants to die featuring his label mate Ice PrinceIce Prince
Panshak Zamani, better known by his stage name Ice Prince, is a prominent Nigerian Hip hop Artist and the winner of Hennessy Artistry 2009 . He is signed to Chocolate City music label .-Early Life:...
on the track. Less than 48 hrs after the release of MI’s “Somebody Want To Die” IceBerg Slim released “Assassination” and sources quote that his Facebook status at the time of the release read figures, since Somebody Wants To Die, I’ll be responsible for the ‘Assassination’ …let the countdown begin…(I told em it would be a M.I.stake, but they didn’t listen).http://www.jaguda.com/2009/08/18/mi-somebody-wants-to-die-feat-ice-prince-beef-with-iceberg-slim/. M.I. released a track on his latest project, M.I.2 named BEEF which was his final reply to Iceberg Slim. There has been a contest in the mind of rap fans on who happens to be the best rapper in Nigeria presently, M.I has developed more fans than Iceberg Slim and has more hit records while Iceberg Slim has gained hearts on Nigerian rap fans in a very short and unusual period.
None of these rappers have come out openly to declare or settle this beef talk, but Nigerian rap fans have their hands folded on what’s going to be next and obviously can’t wait for Iceberg Slim to drop his album.http://audionigeria.com/?p=183
Discography
His popularity has quickly reached the youth of Nigeria as he has become one of the most critically acclaimed Nigerian artists, and has recently been compared to other artists like Naeto C, D'banj, 9ice and Mode 9.Debut Album Talk About It (2008) features the hits
- Safe featuring Djinee
- Anoti featuring Gabriel
- Teaser featuring General Pype
- Crowd Mentality
- Fast Money Fast Cars featuring WizKidWizkidWizkid is a computer game for the Amiga, Atari ST and IBM PC computers, developed by Sensible Software and released by Ocean Software in 1992.Wizkid is officially the sequel to the earlier game Wizball, developed and released by the same companies....
- Money and other notable songs
Mixtape Illegal Music (album)|Illegal Music (2009)
- Pen (Gnarls BarkleyGnarls BarkleyGnarls Barkley is an American soul duo comprising Danger Mouse and Cee Lo Green. Their first studio album St. Elsewhere was released in 2006; along with its first single "Crazy". Both single and album were a major commercial success and have been noted for their large sales by download...
sample) - Drop it like it’s hot (Snoop DoggSnoop DoggCalvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
sample) - Gbono Feli Feli (D'banjD'banjDapo Daniel Oyebanjo , is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and harmonica player. He has won several music awards including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009. and BET Awards of 2011 for Best International Act; Africa...
sample) - Can’t Tell Me Nothing (Kanye WestKanye WestKanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
sample) - 99 Problems (Jay-Z sample)
- Am Illie (A millie – Lil WayneLil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
sample) - Choc Boyz (Roc Boyz – Jay-ZJay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
sample)
His current Album M.I 2 (2010) features the hits:
- Beef
- Represent featuring Jesse JagzJesse JagzJesse Garba Abaga, popularly know as Jesse Jagz born August 10, 1984 is a Nigerian hip hop artist, rapper, singer, producer and songwriter...
and Ice PrinceIce PrincePanshak Zamani, better known by his stage name Ice Prince, is a prominent Nigerian Hip hop Artist and the winner of Hennessy Artistry 2009 . He is signed to Chocolate City music label .-Early Life:... - Nobody featuring Tu Face
- Unstoppable
- One Naira featuring Waje
- My Head, My Belle
- Number One - Featuring Flavour N'abania
M.I Awards and Nominations
M.I Awards- Best Rap Album 2009 –HipHop world Awards
- Hip Hop Revelation 2009 - HipHop World Awards
- Best New Act of the Year 2009 – Nigerian Entertainment Awards
- Best Rap Single 2008 - HipHop World Awards
- Musician of the Year– Modemen Awards 2008
- Best Hip Hop-MTV MAMA Awards 2009.
- Best New Act-MTV MAMA Awards 2009.
- Best Use of Special Effects in a video-NMVA 2009
- Best Mainstream Hiphop 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.
Nominations
- Best New Act-MTV Africa Music Awards(MAMA) 2009
- Best Hip Hop-MTV Africa Music Awards(MAMA) 2009
- 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 HipHop 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
- Artist of the Year- Diaspora Professionals, Dubai 2011
External links
- http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/index.php/glitz/2891-what-if-2face-hit-mikel-obi-in-his-song
- http://www.chocolatecitygroup.com
- http://www.zieplay.com/playart/play.php?artist=M%20I
- M.I on twitter
- http://www.gbedunation.com/profiles/blogs/gbedunation-album-review-mi