Posted by Samuel on Wed 03rd Dec, 2025 - tori.ng
MI Abaga, in a recent interview on the Vbyz TV Cartel, described the period leading up to the awards as one of unrecognised hard work.
Ace Nigerian rapper Jude ‘MI’ Abaga has recalled being chased off the red carpet at the 2008 Headies Awards to make way for veteran actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde to take photos.
MI Abaga, in a recent interview on the Vbyz TV Cartel, described the period leading up to the awards as one of unrecognised hard work.
Abaga said that despite being nominated in the ‘Best Rap Single’ category, people on the red carpet did not know him, as they said, ‘common, get out of here’ to accommodate Omotola‘s photo session.
The 44-year-old rapper added that everyone at the ceremony looked at him differently after taking his award.
He said, “I have been grinding and no one cares about who I am and in February 2008, I was announced as the winner for ‘Best Rap Single’ and literally my life changed that day. I remember I was walking into the crowd with my manager and as we were walking in Omotola came in with her security.
“The people on the red carpet did not even know I was nominated, so they were just like ‘common get out of here’. So we went to stand at one other corner and because Omotola was moving from side to side to take her picture, they kept chasing us from place to place.
“I was just looking at stardom and two hours later, I had an award in my hand, a gold plaque from Ayo Animashaun and after that plaque, everybody was like ‘MI is in the game’. After that it was ‘Safe’, ‘Talk About It’ and ‘Incredible Music’.”