Ace Nigerian rapper Jude Abaga, popularly known as M.I, has opened up about the pressures celebrities face and how he personally handles public expectations regarding wealth and lifestyle.
Speaking during a recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the award-winning rapper revealed that he had to mentally condition himself to accept being “broke shamed” in order to avoid falling into the trap of living a false, financially draining lifestyle.
M.I explained that Nigerian celebrities often go broke because they constantly try to meet the lifestyle standards fans expect of them, even when such expectations are unrealistic.
“When I understood that people in Nigeria tend to broke shame celebrities, I had to make a decision if I want to let that have power over me,” he said. “Because if you don’t deal with that, it will have exceeding power over you.”
He noted that many fans judge celebrities based on the cars they drive, the clothes they wear or how luxurious their lifestyle appears, which pushes some entertainers into unnecessary competition.
Read Also: Bella Shmurda opens up on struggles with costly music promotion
“If you are not comfortable with the fact that some fans can broke shame you if they see you driving a car they consider below your level, then you are going to continue adjusting to their expectations. And that is how you go broke. You go broke trying to adjust to people’s expectations,” he added.
The rapper also highlighted the irony of a society where most people struggle financially but still hold celebrities to impossibly high standards.
“One of the things that Nigerians are concerned about is their perceptions. And statistically, we are a country where most people don’t have money. It took me time to mentally prepare myself to accept being broke shamed,” he said.
M.I concluded by reflecting on how fleeting fame and wealth can be, noting that several celebrities who were once seen flying private jets two decades ago are no longer financially buoyant.
