SXSW 2012

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 a 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, M.I 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, 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, Don Jazzy, Kel, Djinee, Shifi (Style Plus), Jesse Jags, Ice Prince, Ruby, Lindsey, Leony e.t.c. He also runs a production company, Rytchus Era Productions with his brother Jesse Abaga (Jesse Jagz).