Jude Lemfani Abaga (born 4 October 1981), known professionally as M.I Abaga or M.I, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He gained recognition with "Crowd Mentality" (2006). Since then, he has released albums including MI 2: The Movie (2010), The Chairman (2014), and The Guy (2022). He was the CEO of Chocolate City from 2015 to 2019 before leaving in 2020 to establish his own label, Incredible Music. He is known for revolutionizing Nigerian hip hop on the continent, including how rap cyhers in Africa are made. According to Okay Africa, M.I is one of the greatest African rappers of all time. His awards include Best Hip-Hop Act at the MTV Africa Music Awards in 2009, and a nomination for the BET Awards in 2010.

== Early life and career == Abaga was born in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria to parents from Takum in Taraba state. He attended Baptist High School, Jos, and has two brothers. His mother bought him a musical piano and he listened to songs by Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, Sarah McLachlan, Pablo Neruda, Jay-Z and DMX; those which built him into the music world. Abaga proceeded to Calvin College, Michigan, where he studied Business and Economics. He performed in school's shows and concerts. Abaga began his music career after he had returned to Nigeria in 2003. In 2006, M.I Abaga gained nationwide attention with his song "Crowd Mentality". He followed up with his debut studio album Talk About It (2008). His first album gathered awards such as the Musician of the Year in the Modemen Awards in 2008, and Best Hip Hop Artist in the City People Entertainment Awards. His first mixtape was "Pyeri Boy", and later released a sample mixtape Illegal Music in 2009. His sophomore album, MI 2: The Movie (2010), featured songs such as "Undisputed", "Action Film and "Number One". Other singles during this period were "Safe", "Teaser", "Fast Money, Fast Cars" and "Anoti". In 2008, he won Lyricist on the Roll at The Headies and in 2009 won Best Hip-Hop Artist at the MTV Africa Music Awards. Illegal Music II (2012) followed. In 2013, notjustok.com ranked M.I as the fourth most talented rapper in Nigeria. M.I released "NotJustOk/Savage" on Illegal Music 3 in 2016 to clap back on being compared to other Nigerian rap stars and demanded that critics leave his name off their lists as a means to gain more traction for themselves. Abaga was signed to Chocolate City. Following the advancement, he relocated from Jos to Abuja, and worked with many Nigerian artists. In 2013 he was appointed by Globacom as an ambassador and a judge in Glo X-Factor in 2013. In 2014, M.I released his third studio album, The Chairman, which marked a new era of business-minded hip-hop that mixed African rhythms with trap, jazz, and conscious rap. He collaborated with artists including Wizkid, Olamide, Ice Prince, and Patoranking. In 2015, he was appointed as the CEO of Chocolate City, a role he held until 2019. Under his leadership, the label signed and developed talents like Blaqbonez, CKay, and Dice Ailes. In 2016 he released Illegal Music 3: The Finale. It was followed by Rendezvous (2018). Yxng Dxnzl was released on 24 August 2018. The album was released as part of a collection of Nigerian rap albums titled LAMB August. On 6 March 2020, Abaga announced his departure from Chocolate City. In 2023 he was appointed special adviser to Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State. After stepping down as CEO of Chocolate City, M.I founded the label Incredible Music in 2020 and released the EP Judah. In 2022, he released The Guy, featuring collaborations with artists like Nas, Olamide, Wande Coal, and Phyno. The album peaked at #1 on Apple Music Nigeria. Singles from the album included "The Guy", "Bigger", and "The Inside". In addition to music, he is a business strategist, speaker, and influencer, working across creative industries in Africa. M.I is the CEO of TASCK, a creative and advocacy agency leveraging African talent for social change. He has spearheaded initiatives in voter education, civic engagement, and youth empowerment, partnering with organizations like YIAGA Africa and Luminate. Through Incredible Music and his podcast Talk About It, he continues to drive conversations at the intersection of music, leadership, and social innovation.