Hip-hop: M.I laments lack of respect by Nigerian music industry

Jude Lemfani Abaga, better known as MI Abaga, lamented lack of respect for hip-hop music and artistes in the music industry.

He tweeted on Friday, revealing how he was invited by hip-hop legend, Rick Ross, but couldn’t meet him “one-on-one”.

Rick Ross organised a concert at the Eko Hotels and Suites on Thursday, April 14, featuring performances by some Nigerian artistes.

The concert featured Tiwa Savage, Davido, Mayorkun, Patoranking, Buju, Pheelz, Rema, and DJ Obi.

M.I said, “I was invited to meet Rick Ross, I responded by saying if I could do it one-on-one. Of course, they declined.

“The Afrobeats industry will not respect hip-hop just because… and that’s fine. Let’s accept it as what it is and make great music for the ones who do care.

“That’s how I created the wave the first time!!! Every single time I gave them music I never cheated them. I made classic after classic and I am relentless still.”

He continued, “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.”

Abaga posted the tweets hours after his colleague, Oludemilade Martin Alejo, popularly called YCee, questioned the absence of rappers at the Rick Ross Live In Lagos concert on Thursday.

YCee said, “This ain’t even about me cos I haven’t put out rap music in a while, but how do you have a Rick Ross show in Nigeria and not have one single Nigerian rapper on the lineup?

“And tomorrow you wanna come on Twitter and ask why rappers are switching genres.”