Nigerian hip-hop heavyweight M.I Abaga has shared his thoughts on the greatest rapper Nigeria has ever produced, and his choice has sparked interest among fans of the genre.
During a recent episode of the Hip-Hop to Afrobeats podcast, the 44-year-old rapper pointed to veteran lyricist Mode 9 as his all-time pick.
M.I didn’t just name him—he went on to explain why Mode 9 stands in a league of his own. According to him, the rapper’s influence runs deep, having shaped the skills and direction of many artists who came after him.
He also highlighted Mode 9’s dedication to the art of rap, praising both his consistency and his lasting contribution to the Nigerian hip-hop scene. For M.I, it’s that level of impact that cements Mode 9’s legendary status.
“Mode 9 is always gonna be the most respected Nigerian rapper of all time because he is a rapper that when you found him, you didn’t need to visit anybody else to improve your craft,” he said.
M.I’s statement has since reignited conversations among fans, as many revisit the legacy of one of Nigeria’s most technically gifted rappers.
AFROBEATS Podumentary Episode 9 – “Local” Rappers. From Hip-Hop to Afro-HipHop to Yoruba Rap… How the fusion of indigenous language with Hip-Hop birthed Afrobeats.
Featuring never been seen archival footage of Mode 9, Terry da Rapman, Vector, Ill Bliss and MI. Showing now on… pic.twitter.com/wmCap0etcp
— Ayo Shonaiya (@AyoShonaiya) March 18, 2026
In other news, the veteran rapper revealed that one of the biggest battles entertainers fight is the fear of being judged for not living up to fans’ expectations of luxury and flamboyance.
According to him, Nigerian fans often attach a celebrity’s worth to material display, a mindset that fuels unhealthy pressure, forcing many to maintain an image they can barely afford.
He recalled making a deliberate decision early on not to be controlled by what people think of his lifestyle.
“When I understood that people in Nigeria tend to broke shame celebrities, I had to make a decision if I want to let that have power over me. Because if you don’t deal with that, it will have exceeding power over you. If you are not comfortable with the fact that some fans can broke shame you if they see you driving a car they consider below your level, then you are going to continue adjusting to their expectations. And that is how you go broke. You go broke trying to adjust to people’s expectations,” he said.