In a rare second appearance on the syndicated talk show #WithChude, celebrated rapper Jude ‘M.I’ Abaga sits with host Chude Jideonwo for one of his most grounded and revelatory conversations yet. Five years after his first interview, recorded during the uncertain period right after he exited Chocolate City, M.I returns with clarity, candour, and the depth of a man who has walked through fire and come out with new language for his life. As he prepares to release his new project, The Wolf, he shares the real story behind stepping away from leadership at Chocolate City, why it mattered for the business, and the surprising message he recently received from one of the artists who once dragged him online.
In this conversation, M.I opens up in a way audiences have never seen, heard, or read before. He speaks openly about the season he “lost his mind”, the heartbreak that pushed him into therapy, and the moment he realised he could no longer afford to be alone. He breaks down the inspiration behind The Wolf, the character that emerged from one of the darkest periods of his life, and the inner rebuilding that made him ready to create again. He also speaks to the psychology of public perception, especially in a country where, as he says, “Nigerians like to broke-shame people”, and how he learned to free himself from the power of that narrative.
M.I doesn’t shy away from the hard conversations either. He tells Chude why many young people are ending up around those involved in cybercrime, the growing influence of Yahoo culture in the entertainment industry, and the economic frustration driving its spread. He also shares his thoughts on the “best rapper in Nigeria” debate, offering context, honesty, and a refreshing lack of performative competition. Present, vulnerable, and fiercely authentic, M.I Abaga returns to #WithChude with the clarity of a man who has survived himself, and is ready to speak from the other side.
WATCH EPISODE: https://vimeo.com/1138505625?fl=pl&fe=sh
