Nigerian rapper Jude MI Abaga has opened up about a memorable yet humbling experience from the early days of his music career, recalling how he was sent off the red carpet at the 2008 Headies Awards to make way for Nollywood superstar Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. The revelation comes as MI reflects on his journey to stardom and the obstacles he had to overcome before gaining widespread recognition.
Nomination Overlooked
At the time, MI Abaga had been nominated for the prestigious award of ‘Best Rap Single,’ yet upon his arrival at the event, the organizers and staff did not acknowledge him. MI explained that he and his manager were shuffled from one corner to another, while photographers’ attention was entirely on the actress.
“I have been grinding and no one cares about who I am. In February 2008, I remember I was walking into the crowd with my manager, Omotola also came in with her security,” MI said during a recent appearance on Vbyz TV Cartel. “The people on the red carpet didn’t even know I was nominated, so they were just like ‘Common get out of here’. So we went to stand at one other corner and because Omotola was moving from side to side to take her picture, they kept chasing us from place to place. I was just looking at stardom. I was there, nominated for an award, but no one knew who I was. It was an eye-opening moment.”
Award Moment That Changed Everything
Despite the red carpet setback, MI Abaga’s dedication and perseverance eventually paid off. After waiting and watching the glamour unfold, he was called to receive the award for ‘Best Rap Single,’ marking a turning point in his career. He proudly recalled receiving the gold plaque from Ayo Animashaun, one of the influential figures in the Nigerian music industry.
“Two hours later, I was announced as the winner for ‘Best Rap Single,’ I had an award in my hand, a gold plaque from Ayo Animashaun,” he said. “That moment changed everything for me. It was proof that hard work pays off and that perseverance is key. Even though I had been pushed aside on the red carpet, the recognition eventually came.”
Career Takes Off
Following that pivotal recognition at the Headies, MI Abaga went on to release a series of hit songs that solidified his place in the Nigerian music scene. Tracks like ‘Safe,’ ‘Talk About It,’ and ‘Incredible Music’ became chart-toppers, earning him a devoted fanbase and cementing his reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading rappers.
Reflecting on the journey, MI described the Headies moment as a defining experience that showcased both the challenges and rewards of pursuing a music career. “After that gold plaque, everybody was like ‘MI is in the game.’ After that, it was ‘Safe,’ ‘Talk About It,’ and ‘Incredible Music.’ That period was crucial in my growth as an artist and taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of never underestimating one’s own talent.”
He concluded by noting that while the red carpet incident was initially discouraging, it ultimately became a memorable story that highlights how persistence and belief in oneself can turn setbacks into stepping stones for success.