Nigerian rap icon MI Abaga has reflected on the moment that launched his superstardom. He credits his victory at the 2008 Headies Awards as the turning point that took him from obscurity to the limelight.
The hip-hop veteran took home the prestigious ‘Best Rap Single’ award that night. However, he shared a humbling backstory about his arrival at the event.
MI recalled being completely overlooked on the red carpet. Security personnel unceremoniously asked him to step aside to make room for Nollywood superstar Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde.
From “Get Out of Here” to Gold Plaque
Abaga described the stark contrast between his arrival and his departure. Despite years of “grinding” in the industry, he noted that he was virtually anonymous when he walked into the venue.
“The people on the red carpet did not even know I was nominated,” MI recounted. He noted that security simply told him to “get out of here.”
He explained the chaotic scene. As he tried to navigate the entrance with his manager, security chased them from corner to corner. The guards wanted to ensure they didn’t obstruct the view of Omotola as she posed for photographers.
The Turning Point
However, the rapper’s fortunes changed dramatically just two hours later. Organizers announced him as the winner of the ‘Best Rap Single’ category. Instantly, the industry’s perception of him shifted.
“Literally, my life changed that day,” he said. “I was just looking at stardom, and two hours later, I had an award in my hand.”
He noted that once he held the plaque, everyone realized that “MI is in the game.”
The award served as a launchpad for a legendary career. Following the recognition, MI released a string of critically acclaimed hits. These projects included ‘Safe’, ‘Talk About It’, and ‘Incredible Music’. Consequently, he cemented his position as one of the most influential figures in the Nigerian music scene.
