To mark the release of M.I Abaga’s newly released masterpiece, Yxng Dxnzl and commemorate his 10-year run as a vanguard in the Nigerian hip-hop soundscape, The NET hosted the rapper on the maiden edition of ORIN Conversations.
The live event which was hosted by NET’s music editor, Victor Okpala saw Abaga talk about the album, lessons from his decade-long career and an array of issues.
On how the title of his Yxng Dxnzl album came about, he cited that the vicious reaction he received after assuming himself a better rapper that Pusha T and insinuating that he looks like Hollywood great, Denzel Washington made him realize how often the world tries to shut up your opinion or perception of yourself. “The combination of both these things; people sitting me down to let me know; you don’t look like Denzel, and then people saying you are not better than Pusha T made me start to reflect on how often people try to box it in based on their own assessment of the world”.
Watch the interview above to hear M.I Abaga’s view on politics, mental health, religion and more.