M.I Makes Bold Claim About Where Nigerian Music Money Comes From: “We Can Do Better”
- Nigerian rap legend Jude Abaga, aka M.I, stated a troubling truth about who funds the music industry
- The rapper insisted that much of the financial backing comes from the West, and from internet fraudsters
- He challenged wealthy Nigerians to put their money where their mouth is and invest in homegrown talent
Veteran rapper Jude Abaga, popularly known as M.I., has opened up about what he sees as a deep-rooted problem in Nigeria’s creative sector.
Speaking on the So Nigerian podcast, the music icon revealed that a large portion of funding for Nigerian music comes from foreign sources and internet fraudsters.
Source: Twitter
He stated:
“It’s an indictment on our country that we have such talented musicians, yet the major funding comes from the West and the fraud industry. It shows something is wrong."
The rapper, who recently featured in a viral skit, acknowledged the controversy that surrounds conversations about Yahoo Yahoo in music, admitting that many artists rely on such sources for financial survival.
For him, the bigger issue isn’t just who funds music, but why genuine corporate or government support is missing in action.
In his remarks, the rapper urged Nigeria’s elite to take a more active role in nurturing creative talent.
He added, pointing out that the burden of sustaining the industry has fallen on the very artists struggling to break through.
“Hopefully, we can do better. Right now, it’s just young people supporting other young people,”
See the video here:
Social media users react to MI Abaga's comments
Legit.ng compiled reactions of netizens below:
@AlaafinBDSM:
"But we already know this no? Our so called music superstars are surrounded by G-boys"
@trybe4yoursoul:
"Everything in this country in one way or another is sponsored with illegal money"
@TheRealGulu:
"I don't doubt his claim about them funding music... If we are going to be honest, even the so called clubs and crazy nightlife all over the country is funded by these guys. Nobody spends hard earned money on str*ppers and drinks like those guys."
@flowzki:
"LOL he’s not even lying .. most of the clubs and shows they go for are sponsored by fraud boys plus check the record labels too same"
@SodiqAgba:
"Nobody is investing because the ROI is terrible. For every 15 artist that’s invested on, only 1 gets successful. Yahoo boys do it because the ROI they get is what they don’t get from making money illegally, respect and public acceptance."
@kimoranky:
"Most of the world entertainment industry are mostly use for money laundering right from time, most especially Africans , Americans and the Europeans"
Source: Instagram
MI Abaga regrets supporting APC
Legit.ng earlier reported that M.I recently shocked fans with a public confession that he regretted supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2015 general elections that brought Muhammadu Buhari into power.
Speaking in an interview on the latest episode of the Menism Podcast, the award-winning rapper said his support for the APC was born out of frustration with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which he viewed as deeply corrupt at the time.
According to the rapper, he was one of many Nigerians who genuinely believed the APC would bring meaningful transformation.
Source: Legit.ng
