Veteran Nigerian rapper and creative entrepreneur, Jude ‘M.I’ Abaga, has revealed the deeply personal and powerful role his wife, Eniola Mafe, plays in his life and career. In a candid conversation on The Podcast Network’s Outside The Box, the award-winning artist described Eniola not only as his life partner but also as the first person to invest in his creative agency, TASCK, and his most honest critic.
“The very first cheque that came in was from her,” M.I shared. “She has been the most supportive person in my life. She shows up at events, sits in meetings, and still manages to chase her own career. Her presence is a gift.”
Beyond financial backing, Eniola’s involvement spans the full spectrum of M.I’s creative process—from filming his performances to offering detailed feedback on his music and designs. According to the rapper, her critiques are often so thorough that they arrive before he’s even finished processing an idea.
“She’ll sometimes give me a ten-page exposé,” he laughed. “I tell her, ‘I haven’t even thought that far yet!’ But that’s who she is—proactive, insightful, and deeply invested.”
M.I also reflected on how marriage has transformed his emotional landscape, describing it as a turning point that rescued him from loneliness and gave him a renewed sense of balance.