Veteran Nigerian rapper M.I Abaga has drawn parallels between iconic rapper Eedris Abdulkareem, Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy, and outspoken activist VeryDarkMan (VDM), stating that all three figures embody boldness, activism, and an unapologetic voice for social issues.
Speaking during a recent appearance on the Menism Podcast, M.I reflected on the evolution of Nigerian hip-hop and the pioneers who helped shape its foundation.
“I don’t like it when people say no one paved the way for them,” M.I said. “What inspired me to rap was, first of all, the fact that I listen to rap music and I love rap.”
He recalled his early interests in animation and how the absence of infrastructure in Nigeria forced him to pivot to music, where he found his purpose.
“Eedris Was the Burna Boy of His Time”
M.I specifically highlighted Eedris Abdulkareem’s influence on the Nigerian music scene, comparing his fearless energy to what is now seen in Burna Boy and VeryDarkMan.
“When you see Rema now, that was the energy Eedris had back in the day,” he said. “He was the Burna Boy of then. Eedris would just say a thing and put it out there, and everybody would be singing it.”
He cited Abdulkareem’s socially conscious track “Mr Lecturer” as an example of how artists can use their platform to address societal issues.
“Rema has that star energy, but now that I think about it, Eedris is more like Burna and VDM. They are brave, outspoken, and their messages always resonate,” M.I added.
Activism and Music: A Shared Legacy
By connecting the dots between generations of Nigerian artists and activists, M.I underscored the ongoing role of music as a tool for social commentary.
Whether through Eedris’ protest anthems, Burna Boy’s pan-African themes, or VDM’s viral callouts, he believes these voices challenge norms and awaken consciousness.
