Nigerian rapper MI Abaga has shared how his experience in the United States influenced his discipline, creativity, and approach to music.
During an appearance on the Japa Diaries podcast, MI revealed that while music started as a hobby during his school years, it was only after returning to Jos, Plateau State, that he decided to pursue it seriously.
“When I went back home, I got a job, and right behind the place I was working, there was a studio called Skynet. P-Square had just released their first project then. These were guys from Jos, and when they were still in Jos, they used to dance and mime Michael Jackson songs with a crew of about ten people. They eventually won a competition and got a record deal. Honestly, a lot of us used to envy them. But seeing their success made us believe we could also do it,” he recalled.
He described Jos at that time as a hub of creative energy, which motivated him to start recording music with the help of his friend and producer, E-Kelly.
“I think there was a lot of energy. People were going into the studio often, and the studio was right behind where I worked. E-Kelly helped me out, and I thought to myself, maybe I can do this,” MI said.
Reflecting on his early challenges, MI noted that the discipline and work ethic he developed while living in the U.S. were vital to his success.
“It’s not like artists were making so much money back then. I had a job at an internet café and recorded in the studio at night. That’s the good thing about being in Yankee—it taught me how to grind. When I got back home, I was locked in. One day, I just told myself, I can actually do this. Then I started traveling to Lagos more often—and here we are,” he added.
