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Nigerian rap legend M.I Abaga weighed in on the ongoing hip-hop feud between American rapper Kendrick Lamar and Canadian rapper Drake. M.I not only shared his thoughts on the rivalry but also revealed that he could personally relate to what Drake is currently facing, recalling his own experience with criticism from the Nigerian rap community.
I sympathize with Drake; I was once called a boring rapper too
M.I Abaga expressed understanding for Drake’s current situation, comparing it to a time in his own career when he was unfairly labeled “boring” by the Nigerian rap community. He noted that Drake, despite the ongoing beef with Kendrick, has the potential to rise above the criticism and make a monumental comeback.
“If Drake is able to make a comeback, it will elevate him above everyone,” M.I stated. “Not just the music industry, but also the tech boys—everybody came and danced on his ‘grave.'” M.I believes that Drake has the talent and resilience to bounce back from this challenge, highlighting the rapper’s skill in creating music and telling compelling stories.
While M.I acknowledged Kendrick Lamar’s contributions to hip-hop, he pointed out that Drake’s extensive body of work gives him a unique edge in the ongoing debate about who holds the crown in the genre. “Kendrick wasn’t in my top 10 before this moment,” M.I shared. “But I think this has put Kendrick, at the very least, in the top 3.” He argued that it’s difficult to place Kendrick above Drake simply because both rappers were active at the same time. “Drake was consistently dropping hits for 15 years. You can’t deny what Drake has done,” M.I emphasized.
Drawing from his own career, M.I reflected on how, at one point, he was also met with harsh criticism despite his efforts. “I felt a little bit of sympathy for Drake because I have had a similar experience,” he said. “At a certain point, no matter what I did, the ‘rap community’ in Nigeria would say it was boring.” This shared experience with criticism helped M.I better understand what Drake is currently enduring in the highly competitive and often cutthroat world of hip-hop.
M.I concluded his comments by acknowledging the entertainment value of the Kendrick vs. Drake feud, offering a shoutout to both artists. “The American hip-hop face-off was great and entertaining,” he said, showing respect for the ongoing battle between two of the genre’s most influential figures.
As the Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud continues to dominate headlines, M.I Abaga’s insights add a new layer to the conversation, highlighting the challenges artists face, regardless of their fame or success.
