Equally adept at production as he is at confidently crafting lyrics characterised by wit, wordplay and punchlines, M.I Abaga is a pioneering voice of Nigerian hip-hop. With classic mixtapes and critically-acclaimed albums to his name, Abaga has attained accolades such as a Headie Award for Best Rap Album, and MTV African Music Awards for Best Hip-Hop, and Best New Act. Since breaking out with 2006's "Crowd Mentality", the Jos-native has created art that speaks to both self actualisation and societal welfare. With topics such as aspiration, love and mental well-being anchoring songs that incorporate altè, Afropop, highlife and Afrohouse, the artist born Jude Abaga augments his poetic storytelling with vibrant colours. This overview of M.I Abaga's sonic evolution mirrors the growth of his nation's hip-hop scene.