MEET M.I

BIOGRAPHY

M.I was born to Pastor and Mrs. Abaga, both active members of the local Church choir in Jos, Plateau, Nigeria. His mother taught the basic music notations and later bought him a 7-key mini piano, which launched him early into the world of music.

M.I’s encounter with Hip-Hop started with sampling the works of DMX and Lauryn Hill in 1998. He later delved into writing poetry. In 1999, M.I left for Calvin College, Michigan, USA to pursue a degree in business and economics. There he interacted with the budding Michigan hip-hop community. He performed at all the major hip-hop and R&B shows, concerts in school, and later came third in the Calvin College “Hip hopera” 2003.

M.I returned to Plateau, Nigeria in 2005 to find the local music industry on the verge of a revolution and was set to take African Hip-Hop to new heights. 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).

DISCOGRAPHY

• Two Albums – “Talk About It” and, “MI2: The Movie” (hit single – African Rapper No.1); a mix tape “Illegal Music”
• Single Crowd Mentality # 1 Cool Fm Abuja, # 1 Rhythm Top 7 at 7 and numerous other stations round the country.
• Crowd Mentality selected # 1 for British Council International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
• Crowd Mentality # 1 Hip Hop Charts in Uganda, Tanzania and Malaysia.
• “Crowd Mentality” is currently representing Nigeria at the Creative economy website music competition.
• Featured on two underground College CD compilations released in US
• Featured in “Baby Girl” Smash single (On Jimmy Jatt’s The Definition Album 2007).
• Blaze Feat Jesse Jags & Ice Prince- No 1 on Cool Fm, Unilag, Rhythm FM Safe Feat Djinee- most requested song on Rhythm FM, Cosmo FM , No .1 on Rhythm Charts e.t.c for September 2008

AWARDS

• Best Rap Album 2009 –HipHop world Awards
• HipHop Revelation 2009 – HipHop World Awards
• Best New Act of the Year 2009 – Nigerian Entertainment Awards
• Best Rap Single 2008
• 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.
• Artist of the Year – National Daily 2010.
• Musician of the Year – Malaysian African Entertainments Awards 2010.
• Most Amiable Brand – Orange Wall of Fame 2010.