Nigeria: MI Abaga shares new album The Guy

Comprising 12 songs and released on Incredible Music/Chocolate City, The Guy is MI’s first full-length release since 2018 and his seventh album overall. It features an all-star cast including Afrobeats stars Olamide, Phyno, Wande Coal, The Cavemen, Duncan Mighty, Bnxn, Ossi Grace, and Chillz, as well as US hip hop icon Nas.

The musician said the album’s mission is to unveil the person behind the artist, following sober reflection on his journey thus far. “Everyone knows MI, but there’s the guy behind MI, and I think at this stage in my life I’m ready to show more of that, talk more about love, and talk more about whatever challenges I face or whatever I’m going through,” he told Apple Music ahead of the project's release.

On the album’s sonic direction, MI Abaga disclosed that The Guy is founded on hip hop but also listens like “that beautiful Afrobeats music that the world is getting used to.”

On what he wants listeners to take from the album, MI Abaga said: “I want people to feel good about themselves and remember who they are… and this album is a return to that.”

Aside from his solo collections, MI Abaga has been involved in two collaborative EPs, namely, The Live Report and Behold the Lamb.

MI Abaga, who currently heads the TASCK creative agency, was unveiled as the creative director for blockchain-based startup Vault Hill in November last year. The artist, who also serves as ambassador for the Talku Talku grant for Nigerian creatives, was previously the CEO of Nigerian record label Chocolate City, where he spearheaded a major partnership with Warner Music Group.