Popular Nigerian rapper, MI Abaga has claimed that the Nigerian Afrobeats industry does not respect hip-hop artistes in the country.
Abaga stated this while reacting to lack of Nigerian rappers at a concert organized by American hip-hop legend, Rick Ross, at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos.
Rick Ross had held his Lagos concert on Thursday, and it featured top Afrobeats artistes including Tiwa Savage, Davido, Mayorkun, Patoranking, Buju, Pheelz, Rema, and DJ OObi
Taking to his Twitter page on Friday, Abaga lamented the lack of respect for the hip-hop artistes in the country, stressing that until Nigerian rappers begin to place a premium on themselves that they would gain respect.
He said, “A lot of rappers would have eaten if they listened to me. Not every opinion is equal.
“I was invited to meet Rick Ross. I responded by saying if I could do it one on one. Of course, they declined. The Afrobeats industry will not respect Hip-hop just because… that’s fine. Let’s accept it as what it is and make great music for the ones who do care.
“That’s how I created the wave the first time! Every single time I gave them the music I never cheated them. I made classic after classic and am relentless still. The guy is my best album yet coming soon! Classic. Give your best and the music will grow!
“My first big gig ever was in 2008 with Jay Z and Rihanna and Usher. How I was treated that day taught me a valuable lesson. Them no go respect us, until we respect ourselves.”
Abaga’s tweets came hours after his colleague, YCee also decried the absence of rappers at the Rick Ross Live In Lagos concert on Thursday.
YCee tweeted, “This ain’t even about me cos I haven’t put out rap music in a while, but how do you have a Rick Ross show in Nigeria and not have one single Nigerian rapper on the lineup? And tomorrow you wanna come on Twitter and ask why rappers are switching genres.”
This comes a few weeks after Rick Ross replaced Nigerian superstar, Burna Boy after he canceled his performance at the 2022 Afro Nation Festival in Puerto Rico.
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