Artist review: The undisputed Nigerian Rap Leader 'MI'. Jude Abaga, better known by stage name M.I (Mr Incredible).

1. Jude Abaga, better known by stage name M.I (Mr Incredible), is a Nigerian Hip hopArtist.He has won Several Awards including the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009 and was Nominated for BET 2010 Awards for the Best International Act Category. He is signed to Chocolate City music label. On the 11th of December 2008, M.I released his critically acclaimed debut album, Talk About It.

2. Jude was born in Jos Plateau State where he grew up with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Abaga, both of Nigerian descent. He attended a Baptist High School(the same school which has graduated another top-notch upcoming rapper,EnochOlalude, popularly known as Bugsi) where his mother purchased basic music notations and later, a 7-key mini piano which launched him into the music world. Photo from wkrpradio.com

3. Jude has two brothers, Jesse Jagz who is also in the Nigerian and African music scene, and Jason Abaga. During Jude's adolescence, he would listen to tracks from Lauryn Hill, Robert Nesta Marley, Sarah Machlaclan, Pablo Neruda, Jay-Z and DMX. Jude's venture in the Hip Hop world started with the sampling of musical works from DMX and Lauryn Hill as early as 1998. After his stint at Calvin College, Michigan, USA, he delved into Poetry while pursuing a career in Business and Economics. Photo from thisisafrica.me

4. Jude began his music career when he returned to Nigeria in 2003. Finding his place in an industry dominated by the likes of Modenine, Ruggedman and EedrisAbdulkareem, he quickly commenced the production of mixtapes with his friend Djinee. This led to the critically acclaimed single "Safe", which has gathered impressive airplay by African radio and music video stations such as MTV Vibe. The track also earned him awards at the Nigerian Music Video Awards, City People, N.E.A amongst others. Photo from nigeriamusicmovement.com

5. M.I Facts - His first album sold 30,000 copies in the first 30 minutes of release (TJoe distributions December 2008) - Hit singles include: Safe, Crowd mentality, Short black boy, Anoti, African Rapper No.1 - His second album, MI2: The Movie, is the highest selling album on the most popular musical Nigerian website - In the week of the second album release, November 2010, MI was number 7 trending topic globally on Twitter Photo from itweetnaija.com

6. M.I Awards Best Rap Album 2009 –HipHop world Awards Hip Hop Revelation 2009 - HipHop World Awards Best New Act of the Year 2009 – Nigerian Entertainment Awards Best Rap Single 2008 - HipHop World Awards Musician of the Year– Modemen Awards 2008 Best Hip Hop-MTV MAMA Awards 2009. Best New Act-MTV MAMA Awards 2009. Best Use of Special Effects in a video-NMVA 2009 Photo from nigerianhiphop.net

7. M.I Awards Best Mainstream Hiphop Video-NMVA 2009. Musician of the Year-The Future Awards 2010. Musician of the Year – City People 2010. Artist of the Year – National Daily 2010. Musician of the Year – Malaysian African Entertainments Awards 2010. Most Amiable Brand – Orange Wall of Fame 2010. M.I Awards Best Rap Album 2009 –HipHop world Awards Photo from nigerianhiphop.net

8. M.I Awards Hip Hop Revelation 2009 - HipHop World Awards Best New Act of the Year 2009 – Nigerian Entertainment Awards Best Rap Single 2008 - HipHop World Awards Musician of the Year– Modemen Awards 2008 Best Hip Hop-MTV MAMA Awards 2009. Best New Act-MTV MAMA Awards 2009. Best Use of Special Effects in a video-NMVA 2009 Best Mainstream Hiphop Video-NMVA 2009. Musician of the Year-The Future Awards 2010. Musician of the Year – City People 2010. Artist of the Year – National Daily 2010. Musician of the Year – Malaysian African Entertainments Awards 2010. Most Amiable Brand – Orange Wall of Fame 2010.

9. Artist Review: MI