There’s M.I Abaga the rapper. There’s M.I the cultural figure. Then there’s M.I the one who laid down the roads every Nigerian rapper now walks on.
When you talk about Nigerian rap royalty, one name forces itself into the conversation like it was born there — M.I Abaga. Not because he begged for it, but because the game shifted the moment he showed up. Before M.I, rap in Nigeria was either underground or American-wannabe. But with one project, he bulldozed through the scene, rewrote the rules, and crowned himself king.
M.I Abaga is the kind of artist who wears his confidence like armor. “Mr. Incredible” didn’t just choose that name for vibes; it was a mission statement. The so-called “short black boy” carried a presence larger than most legacies, and nearly two decades in, his catalog reads like a blueprint for how to dominate and evolve in the rap game without losing your pen or your purpose.
Across mixtapes, EPs, and albums, M.I’s discography is a lesson in intentionality; never random, never lazy. Even the softest moments feel calculated. But when you’re ranking a discography this strong, someone’s crown has to tilt a little.
This list covers his major solo works: albums, EPs, and mixtapes — excluding joint projects. And with The Wolf still loading, we take a deep look from 2008’s Talk About It to 2022’s The Guy, ranked from “worst” to best.
Let’s be clear, there’s no bad M.I Abaga project. Just levels. So here they are; stacked, judged, and decoded.
10. Rendezvous
Rendezvous was the most unexpected left turn in M.I Abaga’s career, an album that leaned more into vibes than verses. It was his loosest, most carefree project, and while some appreciated the genre-fluid experimentation, others felt it was too detached from the precision and punchlines that defined his legacy.
That doesn’t mean it was mid. Far from it. The features were stellar, Odunsi, Ajebutter22, Falz, Ghost from SDC, Terry Apala, Dice Ailes. Lekki painted a playful portrait of Lagos nightlife, and tracks like Jiggy and Your Father brought some bounce. But despite all the energy, Rendezvous felt like a palate cleanser — fun but not fulfilling. If you’re a core M.I Abaga’s fan, this probably didn’t hit you in the chest.
9. A Study on Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl
This is M.I Abaga’s most introspective body of work; part therapy session, part confessional booth. The production was subtle, the mood was heavy, and the writing was surgical. This was M.I Abaga stripping everything back to dissect trauma, imposter syndrome, industry frustrations, and personal demons. It’s a beautifully vulnerable listen.
But here’s the thing; for regular listeners, it was a hard album to sit with. Not because it was bad, but because it wasn’t trying to entertain. It was trying to exorcise. Tracks like You Rappers Should Fix Up Your Lives hit like wake-up slaps, but others felt more like journal entries than bangers. The album is important. Possibly essential. But in the grand ranking of replay value and cultural impact? It sits here.
8. The Guy
The Guy was supposed to be the full-circle moment – M.I Abaga reintroducing himself after whispers of decline. And in many ways, he did. The title track was vintage M.I Abaga: charismatic, sharp, dripping with presence. The Front Door with Duncan Mighty was a jam, and songs like The Love Song with Wande Coal were as smooth as silk.
But as an album, The Guy felt like a highlight reel more than a cohesive statement. There were moments of brilliance, but not enough risk. It was M.I Abaga showing he still had the touch, but maybe playing it a little too safe. For all its polish, The Guy lacked the fire that made earlier projects essential.
7. Illegal Music 1
Illegal Music 1 was raw, audacious, and experimental. It gave us unfiltered M.I Abaga, spitting over borrowed beats and classic samples with complete disregard for refined appeal.
It wasn’t as cohesive or refined as his albums, but that wasn’t the point. This was for the heads. Tracks like Birds Fly High and I’m Hot were sharp reminders of his creative hunger to pen down with so much intention. And for those who ever doubted the depth of his pen? This mixtape shut them up early.
6. Talk About It
This is the genesis — the Big Bang moment of Nigerian mainstream rap. Talk About It didn’t just introduce M.I Abaga; it disrupted the entire landscape. From Safe (where he cleverly interpolated some of the big Nigerian hits of the time) to Short Black Boy and Anoti, this was a rapper declaring war and peace in the same breath.
But for all its brilliance, Talk About It now feels like the promise of the greatness he lives in now. You can hear the hunger, the ambition, the talent, but also the slight rough edges of an artist willing to find his footing. Still, few albums have had this kind of cultural impact. M.I Abaga didn’t just talk about it, he made everyone else talk about him.
5. Judah EP
After frying Vector with The Viper, M.I gave us Judah as a reaffirmation of his lyrical dominance. This EP was lean, sharp, and cocky in all the right ways. It’s not his most versatile work, but bar for bar? M.I was fully in his bag.
Tracks like The Trinity and The Blood reminded fans that he hadn’t lost a step. It was also one of his most spiritual projects, laced with biblical symbolism and layered meaning. At just 8 tracks, it still packed more punch than albums twice its size. A short sermon, delivered with authority.
4. Illegal Music 2
This is arguably the most underrated gem in M.I’s Illegal Music series. Illegal Music 2 found the perfect balance between the rawness of the first and the polish of later albums. His lyricism was sharper, the beat selection more ambitious, and the tone more confident.
This was also the project where he started addressing fame and industry politics with more clarity. Tracks like 6 Foot 7 Foot Freestyle and Fuck You were flexes wrapped in frustration. It’s a mixtape, but it plays like an album. Slept on by many, but aged like fine wine.
3. Illegal Music 3
With Illegal Music 3, M.I had completed the perfection of the Illegal Music series. This project is a lyrical massacre and a masterclass in controlled aggression. His flows were fluid, his confidence unshakeable, and the production was polished but never distracting.
Everything was storytelling at its peak. All Fall Down was soul-searching. Phase II was philosophical. Every track carried weight. Illegal Music 3 was the coronation to his attempted efforts with the previous mixtapes.
2. The Chairman
This album showed M.I as a complete artist, a lyricist, curator, producer, and pop strategist. It was him flexing every creative muscle without losing the core of his sound.
The concept, dividing the album into opposites, with the 9th track The Middle as the balance was genius. Tracks like Bad Belle, Monkey, Bullion Van, and Brother showcased his range: from humor to hurt, from street bangers to poetic introspection.
1. MI2: The Movie
This was the classic, the undeniable, the one you play front to back with zero skips. MI2 was cinematic in scope and flawless in execution. Every track felt like a scene in a film — the intro (Prelude) setting the tone, the climax with One Naira, the action sequence with Action Film, and the credits rolling on Undisputed.
M.I was at the peak of his powers here; lyrical, vulnerable, funny, angry, in love, and in charge. This album cemented his place at the top. It wasn’t just good rap, it was elite storytelling.
