In the thirteen years since releasing his classic debut album, Talk About It, MI Abaga has become more than just a music artist.

With each successive release coming into a world where more attention is being paid to him, Jude Abaga has found a way to couch his views on wider political life, society, and the evolving landscape of tradition into bars that are as captivating as they are educating.

Earlier in December, MI announced the inaugural edition of Incredible Fest, a one-stop shop celebration of MI the artist, the Nigerian art scene, and, by extension, Africa’s cultural revolution scheduled to take place across three days from Sunday, December 19 th to December 22n.

To kick off the festivities last Sunday, an industry mixer called Amapiano & Brunch was held at Bolivar in partnership with Eden, Afrochella, Culture Management & Front and Back, friends of TASCK from Ghana.

Hosted to celebrate Africa’s eruptive creative industry over food and music influenced by and derivative of Gauteng-pioneered genre, Amapiano, guests in attendance included Shola Thompson, Oye Akideinde, Tola Adesanmi, Kel, Big Brother’s Nelson , Loose Kaynon, Sam Udumma, and Joulesdakid where hearty conversations about the next phase of Africa’s creative economy were examined and debated upon.

On the next day, in collaboration with TASCK and YIAGA, MI led a discussion on civil engagement with the Nigerian political process titled “Should we vote or nah.”

Held at CCX and featuring extensive conversations with Valerie Ike, Koko by Khloe and Ycee, MI and his guests discussed the importance of registering to vote, the real life implications of voting, and how the message can be taken to the grassroots to encourage more people to understand the value of their votes.

Efemena Ozugha, Cynthia Mbamalu & Ibrahim Faruk from YIAGA, Demola Rewaju & Abosede George Ogan and Toda Kafang of TASCK also ran sessions encouraging participation in politics, joining political parties & the involvement of women in politics.

Another discussion roundtable, “We Vote,” also gave a step by step guide on how to register to get your PVC and partners from SentinelX caught us up on the importance of valuing our health as we navigate the mazes of our lives in Nigeria, entertainment & politics with invaluable contribution from  YIAGA & the Not Too Young to Run movement as well as the UK Aid.

Day three also picked up on the socio-economic slant of the second day, with women’s involvement in the entertainment sector being discussed in a session moderated by Debbie Romeo at Nordic Hotels.

Romeo was joined by a cross-selection of activists, entertainer, and celebrities such as Jola Ayeye, Osas Ighodaro, Lala Akintobi, and Bella Alubo who discussed the alarming disparity in women’s participation in the entertainment field compared to their male counterparts.

Joining the conversation, Okeugo of Chocolate City, Cynthia Mbamalu of YIAGA, Taiwo Adeyemi of Boxx Culture , and MI Abaga shared thoughts on how we could move the needle from where it is to one step closer to safety for women within the  entertainment industry.

On the last day of the festival, fans were treated to a live show by some of Nigeria’s most storied performers with musicians like Naeto C, Ruby Gyang, and Ice Prince Zamani performing on stage to a raucous audience.

All these performances were interjected by MI performances that saw him dig deep into his catalogue to entertain his fans on a night when his grand vision of uniting art, music, activism, and culture united in spectacular fashion.