Spitting fire 100% M.I is the greatest rapper from Nigeria in my books, and undoubtedly one of Africa’s most legendary. It’s a lot of things together, from his consistency, longevity in the game and delivery to his confidence – I haven’t seen anyone top this.
I meet up with the high-spirited M.I at his Chocolate City Offices in Lagos – our second meeting after our stint at Coke Studio Africa season III recording in Nairobi. He’s hilarious! First of all, he doesn’t believe that work brought me to Nigeria. “There is a man involved,” he asserts. By the time we are done with the interview, and we start to talk more music business, he knows I ain’t playing.
I always wanted to know who M.I’s Rap GOAT (Greatest Rapper of All Time) is, and from an expert view – what he feels should be our way of judging GOATs. So here is M.I dishing on how to spot your GOAT, a constant topic of debate.
“Under the skill angle, there are lyrics, the writing and delivery. Understanding your brand and having courage is important to the game. Your career’s longevity and journey of where you came from also matters. When you put all these things together you get classic material.”
On his African GOATs he says; “The Hip-Hop story is starting. There are people who already are in contention. However, I choose Mode 9, HHP, Proverb and Sarkodie. Internationally my greatest rapper is Jay Z and I stand by that. After him comes Pac, Biggie, Nas then the rest.”
Of all the Cyphers on Coke Studio Africa, M.I says that his own bout is hard to top.
“For me and every other artiste, that’s a tough one to be better than. Nobody was on that level. For the ones I did with others, I was blown away! Big shout out to Bamboo – he came correct. The person that blew me away and then I did a song with him immediately after was Khaligraph. I think his skill puts him in the Top 5 of the continent. He’s amazing – his flow is like rapid fire and at the same time he stays on beat.”
A longer version of this article was published by Coke Studio Africa, here.
Black Roses 
Papa Jones should get signed out there, but still keep his flow. It’ll be a great combo to make him continental.