Reactions continue to trail American rapper, J Cole’s performance last Friday in Lagos, Nigeria. The Nigerian music audience surprised the rapper by singing most of his music, word for word, even songs from his new album, KOD. This warm reception made enthusiasts wonder why Nigerians seemingly have a passive attitude towards Nigerian rappers and their music.
Leading Nigerian rapper, MI Abaga, believes Nigerian rappers are not doing enough. This position re-echoes the rapper’s views from last year when he asked rappers in Nigeria to fix up. A view that met several backlash from his contemporaries and music fans alike.
In a tweet posted just a few hours after the performance of J Cole, MI managed to raise a debate on the attitude of the Nigerian music audience. The rapper said, rappers in the country cannot rely on the music fans in the country to profit from their work.
“This is also a video of Nigerian aristocracy and privilege. Unfortunately, Nigerian artists cannot rely on this bunch to feed us.” Abaga wrote in the tweet.
https://www.twitter.com/MI_Abaga/status/990248542970236929?s=19
In a subsequent tweet, Mr. Incredible would later call out his fellow rappers. He suggested that in the end of it all, it is still the fault of the rappers. MI insisted that Nigerian rappers still have to work on themselves.
“That being said… Yes, we rappers should fix up.”
https://www.twitter.com/MI_Abaga/status/990248777608060930?s=19