Born Jude Lemfani Abaga, popularly known in the Nigerian music artistry with the stage name M.I Abaga, is a fascinating rapper, singer, songwriter as well as a record producer.

Early Life and Musical Beginning

Jude was born in Jos, Plateau State to Pastor Abaga and Mrs. Abaga, who are from Takum, Tarabara State , both of Junkun Nigerian descent. He attended Baptist High School in Jos where his mum bought him a piano which pushed him into the music world. Jude has two brothers Jezze Jagz and Jason Abaga who are both in the music artistry. His inspirations were Lauryn Hill and DMX. He decided to delve into music after pursuing a Business and Economics course at Calvin College, where he delved into poetry.

He performed regularly at the schools major Hip Hop shows and concerts. He earned a third place with his rap style at the Hip Hopera show held at College, Calvin College. He attempted comedy but decided to stick to music.

Musical Career

Abaga began when he returned to Nigeria in 2003. He started producing mixtapes with his friend Djinee. This led to the release of the single “Safe” which was ranked in airplay by African Video and Music Video Stations. The track earned him awards at various awards schemes such as City People, Nigerian Music Video Awards and many others.

He established a music label, Loopy music with his brother Jesse Jags, Ice Prince, Ruby, Threadstone, Lindsay, Moses(Elbulk), and E Kelly. He was later signed to Chocolate City.

Jude rose to recognition with the release of his song “Crowd Mentality” in 2006, followed by his debut studio album “Talk About It” in 2008. Four years later he released another album titled “The Chairman” followed by his playlist “Rendezvous” in 2018 followed by “A Study on Self Worth“. Next was the release of his forth album “The Guy in 2022“.

Abaga was the CEO of Chocolate City music label from 2015 to 2019 but later exited to form his own record label Incredible Music.

Lyrical Feuds

There was a rivalry between Abaga and Kelly Hansome which resulted in the release of diss songs one after the other. This started when Abaga stated in one of his tracks “Fast Money Fast Cars” stating, Kelly Hansome is handsome I’ll tell him when I see him. But when I want a man it’d be Keke or D1. This totally displeased Kelly Hansome where they fired releases at each other and Kelly firing the entire Chocolate City Music label. The Chocolate City Camp released a diss track with a line from M.I Abaga stating directly to Kelly Hansome, The only Kelly i know Kelly Rowland. Why Should I give him cheap promotion. He’s so dry he needs lotion. In return Kelly Hansome released Chocolate Boys in response to the diss track released by Chocolate City Record Label. Abaga later released on his 2010 track, M.I.2, titled “Beef“, a diss to Kelly Hansome which he in turn released another track “Finish You Boy“.

Another rivalry existed between Vector, a fellow Hip Hop artist and which was a preexisting rap supremacy to claim who the best Hip Hop artist in Nigeria was which occured in 2019. As a result MI Abaga released a diss track The Viper, he spoke on the help he gave entertainers in comparison with Vector. He stated, See we rise by lifting others, who you lifted? Nobody in all these years. Can say that Vector put them in position wow. Vector released a diss track named Judas, the rat. It stated, Jesse Jags, you’re my buddy, I couldn’t do this in a hurry but the truth about your brother has been blurry. So sometime in this sermon, I would say his uncomfortable facts to show his fans their GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) is really a rat. Let’s start the lecture. Who are the rappers that I put on? Many more plus two out of three and I didn’t sign anything. I did it all for free since you were scratching on the surface like your DJ Lambo. How about the guns you brought to help become Rambo. So what am I supposed to do?

Discography

Studio Albums

• Talk About It in 2008
• M.I 2: The Movie in 2010
• The Chairman in 2014
• A Study On Self Worth:Yxng Dxnzl in 2018
• The Guy in 2022

Compilation Album

• The Indestructible Chic Boi Nation in 2015

Mixedtapes and Playlists

• Illegal Music in 2009
• Illegal Music 2 in 2012
• Illegal Music 3: The Finale in 2016
• Rendezvous in 2018

EP’s

• Judah in 2020
• The Rap Report (A-Q) in 2020

Awards and Recognition

He was appointed United Nations Goodwill Ambassador 2012 and supports the Jostified Campaign.

He has produced and featured on the work of music stars like Don Jazzy, Threadstone, Jesse Jags, Ice Prince, Wizkid and many others.

He owns a production firm Rhychus Era Production with his brother Jesse Abaga(Jesse Jags).

In 2013, he was appointed the brand ambassador for Glo Mobile.

He has won many awards including Hip Hop Artist of the Year, Music Video of the Year, Song of the Year during different award schemes.

Personal Life

Jude is married to Eniola Mafe and they have been married since September 22, 2022.

He is an inspiration to renowned musical starlets such as Khaligraph Jones, Jesse Jags, Ice Prince, Phyno, Odumodublvck, BlaqBonez, Nasty C, Lapidoe among others.

written by Ruth Ama Onumah