MI Abaga Attack Nigerian music industry

Nigerian rapper, MI Abaga, has lamented the lack of respect for the Hip Hop music genre and its artists in the Nigerian music industry.

MI Abaga, in a series of tweets revealed that he had been invited to meet with global hip-hop legend, Rick Ross. But his request to see the American rapper one-on-one was denied.

Rick Ross had organised a concert in Lagos on 14 April. There were performances by some Nigerian artists, including Tiwa Savage, Davido, Mayorkun, Patoranking, Buju, Pheelz, Rema and DJ Obi.

“I was invited to meet Rick Ross. I responded by saying if I could do it one-on-one. Of course they said no,” he lamented.

“The Afrobeats industry will not respect hip-hop. Let’s make good music for people who care. That’s how I created the wave the first time!!! Every time I gave them music, I never cheated them. I’ve done classic after classic and I’m still relentless,” he explained

The former Chocolate City boss also recounted his experience at his first big concert, which he said taught him the valuable lesson of self-respect.

My first big gig ever was in 2008 with Jay Z and Rihanna and Usher.. how I was treated that day taught me a valuable lesson.. them no go respect us.. until we respect ourselves

— M.I Abaga (@MI_Abaga) April 15, 2022

Lastly .. I was invited to meet Rick Ross.. I responded by saying if I could do it one on one. Ofcourse they declined.. the afrobeats industry will not respect Hiphop just because.. that’s fine. Let’s accept it as what it is and make GREAT MUSIC FOR THE ONES who do care

— M.I Abaga (@MI_Abaga) April 15, 2022

He said: “My first big concert was in 2008 with Jay-Z, Rihanna and Usher. The way I was treated that day taught me a valuable lesson; they won’t respect us until we respect ourselves.

MI’s tweets came hours after fellow rapper Ycee decried the absence of rappers at the Rick Ross concert.

“It’s not even about me because I haven’t released rap music in a while. But how can you have a Rick Ross show in Nigeria and not have a single Nigerian rapper on the bill? And tomorrow, you’ll want to come on Twitter and ask why rappers are changing their music genre,” he tweeted.