‘Being In U.S. Taught Me How To Hustle’ — MI Abaga

Nigerian rapper MI Abaga has disclosed that his experiences in the United States played a significant role in shaping his work ethic, creativity, and approach to music.

On the Japa Diaries podcast, MI shared that music started as a hobby during his school days, but it became a serious pursuit after he returned to his hometown, Jos, Plateau State.

“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 recounted.

MI described the creative atmosphere in Jos at the time as highly motivating. He began recording music with guidance from 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,” he said.

He also highlighted that the discipline and determination he learned while living in the U.S. were instrumental in his music career.

“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,” MI added.

Watch him speak below…