Veteran Nigerian rapper Ice Prince has paid tribute to his long-time mentor MI Abaga, revealing that the iconic lyricist was instrumental in shaping his career and teaching him how to rap.
In a candid conversation on content creator Isbaeu’s Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast, Ice Prince described MI as a “big brother” whose mentorship laid the foundation for his success in the music industry. He credited MI not only with honing his lyrical ability but also instilling the discipline and professionalism that have defined his career.
“I rapped with MI for years. That’s my big brother—he taught me how to do this, and he taught me well,” Ice Prince said. “I can rap on any beat, with anybody, any rapper, and I will stand out. I’m not going to have a wack verse on a song. I was brought up by the best. Shout out to MI Abaga.”
He emphasized that his years of training under MI’s guidance gave him a lyrical edge that has helped him consistently deliver strong performances. “I’m not saying other rappers can’t do their thing, but it can’t be said that I’m wack,” he added.
Ice Prince burst onto the Nigerian music scene in 2011 with Oleku, a breakout hit from his debut album Everybody Loves Ice Prince, followed by chart-topping singles like Superstar that cemented his status as one of Nigeria’s finest rap exports.
Outside of music, Ice Prince has been open about his personal struggles, particularly his financial hardships growing up. In a December 2024 interview on Listen with Osi, the rapper revealed he missed out on a university education due to his inability to raise just ₦20,000 for registration.
“I was the guy who would spend at least three weeks out of every school term at home because of school fees,” he said. “I didn’t go to university because of ₦20,000—which is like one spliff now. I had two weeks to pay and couldn’t come up with it. That’s how I lost the admission and became a studio rat.”
Despite early setbacks, Ice Prince’s resilience and talent—sharpened under MI Abaga’s mentorship—have led him to become one of Nigeria’s most respected voices in hip-hop.
