‘I’m like 50 years old in rap’ — MI defends criticism of Nigerian rappers

After asking rappers to “fix up” their lives on his new single, MI Abaga has explained the rationale behind his criticism.

MI Abaga, who heads Chocolate City record label, has said his attack was meant to ignite the fire of excellence in fellow — upcoming and established — rappers.

On the song entitled ‘You Rapper Should Fix Up Your Lives’, Abaga had accused Nigerian rappers of “underperforming” and “singing”.

He had also said South African rappers were “killing” their Nigerian counterparts.

Speaking with Soundcity’s VJ Adams on Sunday, the rapper explained that he often gets challenged over the decline of real hip-hop music, despite having “done my due diligence”.

He said: “Bro, I’m like 50 years old in rap. Every day on Twitter, everybody is like ‘MI, what’s going on’.

“I thought it [the song] would raise a conversation and everyone is talking about it.

“I just want people to look at it as a challenge. Nigeria is supposed to be a nation about excellence. Enough with this culture of mediocrity. People are trying to shame me to make me feel bad. I’m MI, be better than MI… that’s the whole point.

“I have done my due diligence, so has Naeto, so has Mode, Rugged, Jagz, Ice, Olamide, Dagrin, Phyno.

“Rappers should do more work. It’s not easy. If you are at home and expecting some label to come [you are wasting your time].

“The point I’m saying is people aren’t rapping. You are not rapping. Fix up your life.”

MI added that radio disc jockeys and presenters are willing to support rappers, provided their output is good enough.