Veteran Nigerian rapper Jude Lemfani Abaga, popularly known as MI Abaga, has stated that he is not in competition with Afrobeats superstars like Davido or Wizkid, emphasizing that he has carved out his own unique space in the music industry.
Speaking in a recent interview, the 43-year-old Plateau-born artist said he remains content with his career path and has no desire to chase trends or mimic the lifestyle of younger artists.
“I’m not Davido, I’m not Wizkid. They’re in their red-hot moment. But I’m MI — and have I lost anything? I don’t think so,” he said.
MI acknowledged how much the music industry has transformed over the years, especially in terms of financial capacity and luxury. He noted that while high-end cars now cost over ₦100 million, they were significantly cheaper during his prime.
“The cars they’re buying now for ₦100–₦200 million, we bought for ₦20 million in our time. I live in the real Nigeria, where people have real problems. I won’t spend ₦50 million on a ticket to America when I have staff dealing with real-life issues,” he explained.
While expressing respect for the success of younger artists, MI reiterated his choice to focus on impact and personal values rather than flash or competition.
He also briefly addressed his relationship with his brother and fellow rapper, Jesse Jagz, clarifying that any issues between them are personal and not related to music.
“It’s strictly a family matter,” he said.
MI’s comments highlight his maturity, evolving priorities, and grounded perspective as one of Nigeria’s most influential rappers.
