M.I. Abaga Biography
He is native to Takum, Taraba State, Nigeria, which is home to the Jukum ethnic group. Jesse Jagz, another well-known Nigerian music name, and Jason Abaga are his two younger siblings. He is also said to have a sister.
Due to his birth and upbringing in Jos, M.I. speaks Hausa with ease. He graduated from Jos’ famous Baptist High School. His parents became aware of his love of Music while he was in secondary school, and his mother decided to get him some basic music notation so he could learn more about it. She also bought him a 7-key miniature piano, which he used for personal learning.
“He constantly listened to Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, Sarah Maclachlan, Pablo Neruda, Jay-Z, DMX, and Fela Ransom Kuti as a child and growing up. He then left the country’s shores and attended Calvin College in Michigan, majoring in Business and Economics after studying Engineering for one year. He studied there from 1999 to 2003.
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As a student, M.I. tried his hand at comedy and poetry at one point, but those endeavors failed, so he opted to stick to Music. He regularly took the stage at Calvin College’s renowned hip-hop performances and concerts. One such was the college’s “Hip-Hopera.” M.I. once performed at one of the HipHopera-themed shows and finished in third place.
Family
Information about his family that is available to the public isn’t as comprehensive as one would hope. Asides from their names, not much is known asides for Jesse Jagz. He is supposedly said to have two brothers and a sister.
Parents
His parents are Pastor Chris and Mrs. Lydia Abaga, Jukun by tribe from Takum, Taraba State.
Child
Information about any children from his union with Eniola hasn’t been revealed yet by the Superstar.
Wife
Mr. Incredible and his heartthrob Eniola Mafe married in Lagos on September 22, 2022. But, before the wedding announcements, M.I. Abaga kept his relationships low-profile and under the radar.
Lifestyle
After moving to Nigeria in 2003, Jude Abaga began a musical career. With his friend Djinee, he started by making mixtapes, which eventually resulted in the publication of the famous song “Safe.” The song gained popularity and was aired on African radio stations and music video platforms like MTV Vibe.
M.I. then decided to be part of a group. This led to the establishment of the now-defunct “Loopy Music.” To establish Loopy Music, M.I. collaborated with his brother Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Ruby, Threadstone, Lindsay, Moses, Elbulk, and E-kelly. Loopy Music had a good run, primarily in the City of Jos and its environs, but it was, unfortunately, not to be a long one.
His song “Crowd Mentality” gained traction in Jos and its metropolis and had airplay far and near. And after a bit of time with Loopy, M.I. Abaga was offered a contract, got snapped up, and signed by Chocolate City Company – one of the most prominent music labels in Nigeria today, who appreciated his lyricism and talent. He then had to move from Jos to Abuja eventually.
Talent aside, His agreement and eventual “elevation through the ranks” with Chocolate City also catalyzed his long-lasting, lucrative music career.
M.I. Abaga
has been able to secure varying endorsement deals that have spanned the length of his illustrious career as an artist and Music executive. In 2013, alongside Omawunmi, Burna Boy, and others, He served as a Glo Mobile Brand Ambassador. In addition, he was appointed as one of the Glo X-Factor judges that same year.
M.I. Abaga had earlier been designated a Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations in 2012 and lent a big hand of support to the “Jostified Initiative.”
He has also received recognition on a global scale for being at the forefront of the Afrobeats wave/movement. At the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards, he won Best Hip Hop Act and Best New Act and was nominated for Best International Act at the 2010 BET Awards.
Net Worth
He is estimated to be worth around $4 Million.
Cars
He is said to own a Mercedes Benz G-Wagon worth N30 million and a Bentley Continental G.T. costing around N42 million.
He bought the Benz to commemorate reaching 100,000 Instagram followers.
House
M. I Abaga is a private Man. He is reportedly said to reside in Abuja.
Record Label
Three record labels, Incredible Music, Chocolate City and Loopy Music have always been responsible for M.I. Abaga’s management and Songs. From 2015 to 2019, M.I. Abaga served as the CEO of Chocolate City, and In March 2020, he announced his resignation from the label and started his record label, Incredible Music.
Over the years, and as a producer, M.I. has worked with a variety of musicians, such as Don Jazzy, the first rock band to form in Nigeria, Threadstone, Kel, Djinee, Shifi of Styl Plus, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Ruby, Lindsey, Leony, Wizkid, and a whole lot more.