“I should be close to retirement, Couple more years be retiring but None you of you rappers inspiring, None of you pass the requirements, I can’t retire yet, damn…,

None of you rappers is real enough, Once you blow up now you switching up..’ –MI Abaga(You rappers should fix up your lives)

With the release of M.I’s new single titled ‘You Rappers Should Fix Up Your lives,’ I can’t wait for the drama that’s yet to come. As direct as the title and the message in the song are, he created room for everyone to draw out the conclusion that suits their respective narratives. As anticipated, They have jumped on it. Like John the Baptist, they are preaching their gospel just as they understand the message; calling out names and coming out with various affirmations. From a distance, with a bottle of soda accompanied with a bucket of popcorn, I am watching the topsy-turvy heading in the direction of the music industry.

As a borrowed genre, the recent wave of fads in the hip-hop circle in the west is trickling down here in Nigeria. The lines within hip-hop/rap music and pop influences have blurred considerably considering the actions of the hip-hop royalties of present times. I think a couple of names assumed this song is targeted at will feel roughened despite the fact that M.I has a right to share his views even though he might not be totally right. Drizzy was presumed to be losing
his rap genius but he took Meek Mill to the cleaners with crazy punchlines on ‘Back To Back.’

Considering the context of the message in this song, it will be so hard not to agree or disagree bearing in mind the realities on ground but the sad thing is that no rapper in Nigeria actually have a protégée like Dr. Dre did with Kendric Lamar. So what plan do they have to keep this hip-hop gospel alive in it true element? For me, I will continue to observe how things unfold.

– Sesan Adeniji

( culled from the soon to be released edition of Mystreetz Magazine )