I’m A Great Basketballer – MI

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The award-winning rapper’s recent album titled Chairman is a masterpiece. The 17-tracker features a good number of collabos and the imprints of seven different music producers. The artiste, who was born Jude Abaga, is from Taraba State, but grew up in Jos, the home of many music stars. In this interview with SAMUEL ABULUDE, Mister Incredible (MI) talks on his music, persona and the women in his life.

How did you spend Valentine?
I spent it outside my home. I was in company of APC Lagos’ gubernatorial candidate, Mr Ambode, with other entertainment personalities at Ikeja Shopping Mall. I just came to give my support to a friend and lover of the industry and we spent quite sometime there, after which I went to my place to hang out with few friends.

So, you didn’t spend the day with your girlfriend?
Which girlfriend (smiles)? Okay, you want to get me to talk about my woman? I won’t tell you that. Valentine was just cool for me.
Your 17-track album, Chairman dropped last October, how did you pull it through?
Thanks. It’s by the grace of God. It took me two solid years to produce an album like that. It has everything you want in an album- massive collaborations, great songs, good hits; something to ponder on, just a potpourri of different songs. I’m dropping the video bit by bit. Bad Belle video has just been released and it’s enjoying airplay right now. I am dropping a new album this year and before then, two more videos from Chairman album.

What inspired the album’s title song, Chairman?
“Chairman” is just a name we sometimes use to refer to someone, out of respect. When I came to Lagos from Jos, that was the word I was hearing everyone using to salute one another. So I made a song out of it. The song has Oritsefemi lacing it with his angelic voice, coupled with Frank Edwards’ ingenuity- a great collabo. I’m glad people like the song and it’s been one of the seventeen tracks of the album that connects with people.
It was the second bestselling album in 2014 according to Spinlet and it was at the top billboard chart for weeks according to iTunes. People think I’m the ‘Chairman’ in the song but if you listen to the song, God is the chairman in it. He is the secret behind my career and I owe it all to God as a young boy from Jos that just came to Lagos to hustle.
From Jeremiah Gyang’s personal assistant to superstar, did you ever think you’d get this big?
Not at all! I could never have envisaged being at this point in my career. It’s all the work of God as no one ever really thinks they would amount to something in this entertainment industry of ours. We just launch out, record our songs, work hard and hope for the best. I’m one of the most fortunate musicians here since 2009, when I won MAMA and began to be noticed because of my songs, especially A Naughty A Naughty and African No1 ft Flavour. It has been a learning curve in the industry and MI is not there yet. Life and hardwork bring a duality of success. Also, I must give big kudos to Jeremiah Gyang who created the pathway for us-artistes from Jos. We owe him that honour.
You are bigger than him (Jeremiah Gyang) now , do you agree?
Bros, (Jeremiah Gyang) is the boss o. I understand what you are referring to as regards my work feeding more audience, but it still is music. Yes, I do rap and it has caused a revolution in this space; for that I can only give Baba God the glory. He makes one great and nothing is ever done without Him.
Did you get the support of your parents from the outset, seeing that they are pastors?
Yes, they knew I wanted to do music and they guided me. My mum has been supportive, as well as my dad and siblings.

Rap music has gained a lot of fans in the country, what’s your take?
Yes, I am glad to be part of that revolution. Initially, Rap was not as accepted as it is today but with the ingenuity of different artistes, and we kept on pushing, we are getting there. Talking of indigenous rap, I don’t speak my dialect but understand it; I can speak Hausa though. Kudos to Olamide, Phyno and co. who use their local dialects to rap. It comes naturally and you can imagine the acceptance. I’m very good in communicating in English and it is wise to stay within my forte. I just advise the younger generation to understand themselves first before going into music because it is highly competitive.
Are you glad that your brother won a Headie last year?
Yeah! He deserves it. Jesse Jagz has been working. He left us to start his own Jagz Nation and got an award for it. He has won a Headie award before, mind you; this is not his first.
Your 10-year old niece did a rendition of Psalm 121 in one of the songs in your latest album, how come?  
(Smiles) She is Jade, my wonderful niece and she will make a good singer. Yeah, she did the Psalm. She is the daughter of Jesse. We are three in the family. I’m the first followed by Jesse and then Jason. Music sure flows in the family.

So, who is the woman in your life?
Hmm… I have three women in my life: my mother, Jade (who is my wonderful niece) and a nameless woman. I don’t talk about my relationship publicly.
How does MI cope with criticism by fans and other people on social media?
I, for one, do not dwell much on social media. I don’t stay there. I go to Twitter, drop my stuff and leave. I don’t know why someone who does not even know jack about me would condemn and make me feel bad on social media. I only engage my fans if I have to, and real fans don’t rubbish their artistes in the media. But largely, having been in the industry for a while, I’m focused enough not to have much time to respond to criticisms like that. My life philosophy is ‘live and let live’.
What is the biggest show you performed in 2014?
Hmm…That must be Star Trek Mega Jam in a particular city, which I may not recall now. It was massive for me, seeing the tumultuous crowd. Then, so far, performing with R Kelly in 2011 at Polo Ground in Lagos was my biggest show.
What are the three things people don’t know about MI?
That‘s a good one- three things people don’t know about me. I’m a good basketballer. A lot of people don’t know that I play the game well. Ask Sound Sultan.

Which NBA club do you support then?
I support the San Antonio Spurs. I like the basketball club. Back to your question, three things people don’t know about me. I’m very good at playing FIFA on Play Station. Take that from me. I’m very good at that. Yeah, you can ask Sound Sultan, I usually defeat him in FIFA Play Station game. Then thirdly, a lot of people don’t know this but I’m a shy person.