M.I was born to Pastor and Mrs Aba… Read Full Bio ↴Profile on M.I(pronounced em eye)
M.I was born to Pastor and Mrs Abaga, both active members of the local Church choir in Jos, Plateau, Nigeria . His mother taught the basic music notations and later bought him 7-key mini piano ,which launched him early into the world of music.
M.I’s encounter with Hip-Hop started with sampling the works of DMX and Lauryn Hill in 1998 . He later delved into writing poetry. In 1999, MI left for Calvin College, Michigan, USA to pursue a degree in business and economics. There he interacted with the budding Michigan hip-hop community. He performed at all the major hip-hop and R&B shows and concerts in school and later came third in the Calvin College “Hip hopera” 2003.
M.I returned to Plateau, Nigeria in 2005 to find the local music industry on the verge of a revolution and was set to take African Hip-Hop to new heights. A proficient producer, lyricist, songwriter and instrumentalist, M.I has been described by DIV as the future of African Hip-Hop.
He has produced and featured on the works of artists like Jeremiah Gyang, Djinee, Shifi (Style Plus), Jesse Jags, Ice Prince,Ruby, Lindsy , Leone e.t.c.
His Music
Crowd Mentality – the first single off his album “Pyeri Boy” has topped every major chart in and around Nigeria and is currently number one on the Creative economy website www.creativeconomy.org.uk Soundtrack, besting music from Nine other countries around the world! The video is enjoying tremendous airplay and was No3 @ Sound City Video charts in July 2007.
His much anticipated album “ Talk About it” is due for release in Early 2008 after his world tour.
Performances, Tours & Appearances
· ‘Bring the Noise 2007’ of Africa and the UK, performed on tour in Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and the UK.
· Future Awards 2008 – Headline Performance
· Big Brother Eviction Party Abuja (the Dome)2006
· Rhythm Unplugged, Lagos , Rhythm Unplugged, Abuja 2006
· Opening for Grammy winners Black Ladysmith Mambazo, and Keb Mo in Michigan , USA 2004
· Host WAPI(words and pictures)- British Council Lagos (2007)
· Mode Men Black Party – June 2007 by Mode Men Magazine
· Host Chocolate City “The Jam Sessions”2007
· Interviewed on Live BBC Hip Hop Forum with two other artists from Senegal and Cameroon.
· Interviewed live on African Essence in London.
· Interviewed live for BBC African Youth Program from Abuja.
Discography
· Single Crowd Mentality # 1 Cool Fm Abuja, # 1 Rhythm Top 7 at 7, and Numerous other stations round the country.
· Crowd Mentality selected # 1 for British Council International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
· Crowd Mentality # 1 Hip Hop Charts in Uganda, Tanzania and Malaysia.
· “Crowd Mentality” is currently representing Nigeria at the www.creativeconomy.org.uk website music competition .
· Featured on two underground College CD compilations released in US
· Featured in “Baby Girl” Smash single( On Jimmy Jatt’s The Definition Album 2007)
Videos
· Video Crowd Mentality # 1 Buzz Fm TV show, # 1 NTA Lagos, Abuja, Selected # 1 Sound City Star Host.
· ‘Top Ten Best Videos Of The Year’ Buzz FM TV show.
RECENT NEWS
MI was recently selected to participate in the “Bring the Noise” Project organized by the British Council International. He will be representing Nigeria on a two-week tour of the UK, East Africa and West Africa, which commences from October 2007 and will culminate in a world tour in 2008. His nomination is as a result of his high level of artistry and proficiency in revolutionizing Hip hop in Africa. Other countries participating in the prestigious project include Senegal, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and the UK.
He is currently signed on the International award winning Chocolate City label.
Contact : chocolatecitynig@yahoo.co.uk
Myspace.com/pyeriboy
www.chocolatecitymusic.net
Beef
M.I. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My people have a saying
The child that has said his father will not
Sleep shall also not sleep ha ha
M I Chocolate City
Yeah
See dem see dem
Now that they see BET on my cv
Now that I be frequently on the TV
They wanna go there but can't afford the TP
My motto is do more talk less
Never get mad at another man's success
So when people tryna make sure I chop less
I say no be your fault you're just jobless mtchew
Nonsense
But do you yeah and keep missing ha Yakubu
But here's some advice if you still wanna
Walk down the road and go hug transformer
Go find a cliff do a Jimmy Jatt jumpoff
Marry a granny have a son your a son of
Go boil stone e go cure your sickness
Or maybe you should just focus on your business spash
Make una come help me see
Which kain strong head pikin
Kpomo e no chop
Fish e no chop
Goat e no chop
He say he wan beef
Make una come help me see
Which kain strong head pikin hey
Kpomo e no chop
Fish e no chop
Goat e no chop
He say he wan beef
See musicians tryna beef me for real son
Maybe they doing it to promote they album
They know that using my name will help dem sell some
So Iceberg its alright you're welcome
But I'm not in their league help me tell them
The Super Eagles don't play against the Falcons
See worwor pikin dey form handsome
Kelechukwu clap for yourself well done
I'm a legend in the making Malcolm
MI's more connected than the Telcomm
Why you mad at my flow you be tampon
You showing your ass nigga put your pants on
But incase you still wanna risk yo
Please go bleach your hair dey form Sisqo
Climb Nepa pole begin to dance disco
Cause beefing Mr Incredible me no think so kpash
Make una come help me see
Which kain strong head pikin hey
Kpomo e no chop
Fish e no chop
Goat e no chop
He say he wan beef
Make una come help me see
Which kain strong head pikin hey
Kpomo e no chop
Fish e no chop
Goat e no chop
He say he wan beef ha
Ha I said see people beefing
Cos M is living economically even
Look at them speaking
Facebook tweeting
Like we can do better whatever he can
Life isn't even some years are leaping
Some people living at the top some are deep end
Some people so broke others wealth reaping
Me I just keep being focused on achieving
Yes nowadays I am eating
But you should learn how I got where I be in
How I would fry as I sat in the sun through the weekend
Believing if I worked hard then I go reach them
Yo and these days I am seeing
The skies wide enough for all is free seating
Used to love beef but its healthier to be vegan
So no beef on my mind or mohican pass
Make una come help me see
Which kain strong head pikin! hey
Kpomo e no chop
Fish e no chop
Goat e no chop
He say he wan beef
Make una come help me see
Which kain strong head pikin hey
Kpomo e no chop
Fish e no chop
Goat e no chop
He say he wan beef
E hen shey una don hear
Now dis song
Is specially specially dedicated to
All my beefing boys
All catle herders suya sellers
Kilishi retailers
Beef packagers
And beef package not hehehe
Get a life dude yeah
The lyrics to M.I.'s "Beef" highlight the rapper's frustration with fellow musicians who want to start beef with him just for publicity or because of envy. M.I. asserts that he is more focused on his own path to success than on bringing down others. He urges those who want to beef with him to focus on their own businesses and stop trying to bring him down. The refrain "Which kain strong head pikin" translates to "What kind of stubborn child" and is repeated throughout the song as M.I. questions why his detractors can't just focus on themselves instead of trying to bring him down.
The song is a commentary on the culture of beefs in the rap industry and how they can be used for publicity or to distract from the real issues facing the industry. M.I. uses the song to call out the hypocrisy of those who claim to be his friends but then want to start a beef with him. The message of the song is about staying focused on your own path and not letting others' negativity bring you down.
Line by Line Meaning
My people have a saying
There's a saying I know
The child that has said his father will not
Sleep shall also not sleep ha ha
Bad things may happen to those who wish them on others
See dem see dem
Dey wanna beef me
People are trying to start a fight with me
Now that they see BET on my cv
They're jealous of my success and fame
Now that I be frequently on the TV
They're bitter that I'm often on TV
They wanna go there but can't afford the TP
They want to compete with me but can't keep up
My motto is do more talk less
I believe in being productive over talking a lot
Never get mad at another man's success
It's wrong to be angry at someone else's achievements
So when people tryna make sure I chop less
When people are trying to undermine me
I say no be your fault you're just jobless mtchew
Nonsense
I don't blame you, you're just an unemployed hater
But do you yeah and keep missing ha Yakubu
You can continue doing what you're doing and failing
But here's some advice if you still wanna
But if you're still willing to listen
Walk down the road and go hug transformer
Go hug a transformer (electric shock)
Go find a cliff do a Jimmy Jatt jumpoff
Jump off a cliff and hurt yourself
Marry a granny have a son your a son of
Marry an old woman and have a child
Go boil stone e go cure your sickness
Boil a stone and think it will cure your illness
Or maybe you should just focus on your business spash
Maybe you should focus on your own success
See musicians tryna beef me for real son
Other musicians are trying to start a conflict with me
Maybe they doing it to promote they album
They might be doing it for publicity
They know that using my name will help dem sell some
They know that mentioning me will help them sell more
But I'm not in their league help me tell them
I'm better than them and they should recognize that
The Super Eagles don't play against the Falcons
I'm a top artist and they are not at my level
Kelechukwu clap for yourself well done
Congratulate yourself on being mediocre
I'm a legend in the making Malcolm
I'm going to be legendary
MI's more connected than the Telcomm
I'm better connected than the telecommunications companies
Why you mad at my flow you be tampon
Why are you angry at me? You're just a tampon (insignificant)
You showing your ass nigga put your pants on
You're making a fool of yourself
But incase you still wanna risk yo
But if you still want to try
Please go bleach your hair dey form Sisqo
Maybe you should bleach your hair like Sisqo (ridiculous)
Climb Nepa pole begin to dance disco
Climb an electric pole and dance like it's a disco
Cause beefing Mr Incredible me no think so kpash
You won't win if you try to fight me
Life isn't even some years are leaping
Life is unpredictable
Some people living at the top some are deep end
Some people are successful while others struggle
Some people so broke others wealth reaping
Some people are poor while others get rich
Me I just keep being focused on achieving
I stay focused on my goals
Yes nowadays I am eating
I'm successful now
But you should learn how I got where I be in
But you should learn how I achieved success
How I would fry as I sat in the sun through the weekend
How I worked hard to achieve success
Believing if I worked hard then I go reach them
I believed that if I worked hard, I would succeed
Yo and these days I am seeing
These days, I've realized
The skies wide enough for all is free seating
There's enough success for everyone
Used to love beef but its healthier to be vegan
I used to like to fight, but it's better to be peaceful
So no beef on my mind or mohican pass
I'm not interested in fighting anymore
E hen shey una don hear
Have you all heard
Now dis song
This song
Is specially specially dedicated to
Is dedicated to
All my beefing boys
All the people trying to start a fight with me
All catle herders suya sellers
All people involved with beef
Kilishi retailers
People selling Nigerian beef snack
Beef packagers
People packaging beef
And beef package not hehehe
And all those things related to beef
Get a life dude yeah
Find something better to do with your time
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jude Abaga
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iKON_LVNG
Back in 2023 and all I can say is thank you MI Abaga🙏
@musicbytoffie
This song never gets old! Love you MI 💕💕
@rajandersingh4755
Hindi beeyf video
@olusolabakare6254
you know you are a legend when we keep coming back even in 2020........ M.I is the GOAT
@jasonsmith-kc1si
2021 and beyond, listening now trigers beautiful memories. S/O to all MI and all 9ja legends
@beingwambui729
i was obsessed with this album loved hearing it again
@MsApricot96
I adore this song. The lyrics slay me every time. playing the song on a loop as I watch competitive football
@ahmedmahmoudjuanafallon5291
This song was what made MI Abaga my Africa best rapper. My favorite rapper. From a die-hard fan in Sierra Leone.
@jamesmajicsnr7581
This song still #sounds fresh on my ears...
MI on 💥💥💥
@actopause2318
Back to listen dis classic 2023
M.I still my favorite
Luv from salone 🇸🇱