Veteran Nigerian rapper Jude ‘MI’ Abaga says he feels no pressure from the new wave of younger rappers dominating the music scene. He remains confident in his artistry, legacy, and purpose—even as the industry continues to evolve around him.
In a candid conversation with Jay On Air, the 43-year-old opened up about how he views his position in today’s fast-paced pop culture, where names like Davido, Wizkid, and rising stars such as Odumodublvck and Shallipopi command the spotlight.
“In terms of comparing myself to artistes that are hot, I truly don’t have that part,” MI said. “To me, what matters is how good you are, and I’ve not yet felt threatened in that space and in my career.”
MI, who’s been a pillar of Nigerian hip-hop for over a decade, said he still sees himself as sharp and relevant—even if he’s no longer the industry’s loudest voice.
“I’m not Davido, I’m not Wizkid. They are in the red-hot moment. I’m MI. Has MI lost something? I don’t see it,” he said with quiet conviction. “I can still work, I can still go forward, I still have the fans I had, I still have the skill. That’s what’s important.”
Far from being dismissive of the new generation, MI offered praise for the emerging talents reshaping the soundscape.
“I can really look at Odumodublvck, Shallipopi, Falz, Ladipoe, Blaqbonez and love their talent — but it doesn’t intimidate me. What I do and how good I am at it fills me up and makes me secure in myself as an artiste.”
Beyond music, MI also spoke on how his lifestyle and priorities have shifted with time. Gone are the days of chasing status symbols; now, he says, he values practicality and purpose.
“I used to have six massive cars. Now, I have two small cars—my wife has one, I have one,” he shared. “The cars Davido is buying now — ₦100 million, ₦200 million — in our time, they were ₦20 million. It’s not like I’ve lost anything. I’m just not in that hot moment making billions.”
He also emphasized a more grounded approach to money, revealing he often chooses economy class when flying internationally.
“My wife and I travel to America quite often, and it’s impractical for me to fly business class on my own money. Imagine paying $10,000 to go see family — it’s just not practical,” he said. “I live in Nigeria, where people need money. I have staff who work with me, and they have real issues. So those priorities have shifted for me.”
