The Chairman (M.I album)

The Chairman
Studio album by M.I
Released	October 30, 2014[1]
Recorded	2012-2014
Genre	Hip hop
Length	75:00
Label	Chocolate City Loopy Music
Producer	Executive producers Yahaya Maikori Audu Maikori Paul Okeugo Jude Abaga Additional producers Reinhard Sarz Pheelz Sammy Gyang G-Plus L-37 VSTOL Frank Edwards
M.I chronology
Illegal Music 2 (2012) The Chairman (2014) Illegal Music 3: The Finale (2016)
Singles from The Chairman
"Bad Belle" Released: December 4, 2014 "Monkey" Released: March 26, 2015 "Bullion Van" Released: August 26, 2015

The Chairman is the third studio album by Nigerian hip hop recording artist M.I, released on October 30, 2014 by Chocolate City and Loopy Music.^[2] The album features collaborations with producers and guest artists such as 2face Idibia, Wizkid, Seyi Shay, Ice Prince, Olamide, Phyno, Reminisce, Oritse Femi, Patoranking, Reinhard, Runtown, Sarkodie, Nosa, Beenie Man, Koker, Moti Cakes, Wilson Alao, Sound Sultan, Emmy Ace, Sammy Gyang, Chigurl, Milli, Frank Edwards, Nanya, G-Plus, Morell, Loose Kaynon, Pheelz, Debbie, DJ Lambo, Sarz, Stormrex, L-37, VSTOL and I.J.

The album's production began in 2012 and continued through the third quarter of 2014. The rapper worked with several collaborators, while enlisting new producers. Much of The Chairman tells the story of the rapper's journey into limelight. According to the rapper's sales team, the album sold 30,000 units in pre-order sales.^[3] The album was supported by "Chairman" and "King James", two promotional singles that didn't make the cut.

Background and composition

M.I took two years recording the album. He describes the album as a collaborative album due to the number of music personnel who contributed to it. The Chairman was initially slated to be released in June 2013, but was pushed back due to the rapper partaking in other business ventures. In a 2014 interview with Sunrise Daily, M.I said that Jesse Jagz's departure from Chocolate City also delayed the album.^[4][5] In an interview with Leadership newspaper, M.I said he was inspired to name the album The Chairman after hearing people address him as such.^[6] The album comprises 17 tracks and every track, excluding "The Middle", has an opposite. On October 22, 2014, the album was made available for pre order.^[7] On October 29, 2014, the album's official cover art and track list were released.^[8] Also on October 29, 2014, M.I held a listening party for the album at Industry Nite. He performed alongside Jesse Jagz and dedicated the record "Brother" to him.^[9][10]

The Chairman encompasses several layers of M.I's autobiography. On "The Beginning/Nobody", the album's opener, M.I plays the role of a crazy teacher with his voice. On "Monkey", a song that features the comedian Chigurl, M.I raps with a gospel flow over a Highlife instrumental. On "Human Being", the rapper reminds listeners that celebrity is not all its hyped up to be. On "Rich", M.I narrates his grass to grace story. "On Brother", he enlists Nosa to help him depict the cracks in Chocolate City. "Shekpe" is a song that celebrates street life and low-cost highs. On "Enemies", M.I and Patoranking tell listeners that the world of celebrity is a land filled with haters. "Yours" is an ode to his core fans who supported him from day one. On "The End/The Chairman", M.I tells listeners that the real chairman is God.^[11]

Promotional singles

The Chairman was supported by two promotional singles. On March 19, 2013, M.I released the first promotional single "Chairman" which was initially announced as the album's lead single. The song was produced by E.Kelly, Chopstix and M.I. It was launched via a Google Plus hangout. The hangout was streamed live on Google Plus and YouTube.^[12] On May 13, 2013, the music video for "Chairman" was uploaded onto YouTube.^[13] It was shot and directed in Los Angeles. According to Saturday Beats, M.I spent ₦10 million on the video shoot.^[14]

The second promotional single, titled "King James", was released on August 21, 2014.^[15] M.I describes the song as a non-profit project designed to create awareness and inspire social change. "King James" received generally mixed reviews from music critics.^[16]

Singles

"Bad Belle" was released as the album's lead single. Its music video was shot and directed in Nigeria by MEX. The video features cameo appearances from Basketmouth, Mode 9, Sound Sultan, Yung6ix and Show Dem Camp, among others.^[17]

M.I released "Monkey" as the album's second single on March 26, 2015. Its music video features comedian Chigurl and was self-directed by M.I.^[18] "Bullion Van" was released as the album's third single. Its official music video was shot and directed by Mex.^[19] Kemi Adetiba shot a music video for the song at Koga Studios that was never released.^[20]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Lobatan	A
Pulse
Nigerian Entertainment Today

The Chairman received generally positive reviews from music critics. Toni Kan of THIS DAY concluded that the album "is a chockfull of hits. It is autobiography and memoir, manual and manifesto, pure fiction and drama, as well as poetry on an epic scale. This is a mature, confident and sure-footed album. It is a smorgasbord of styles, with something for everyone from hard-core hip hop aficionados to dilettantes as well as hip-life and afrobeats fans."^[11][21]

Oscar Okeke of Lobatan gave the album an A rating, concluding "The chairman album sounds like the result of an extended period of anxiety, overweighing thoughts, pressure, and other deep seated emotions that can only manifest through music. The album is an asylum, a sanctuary for not just rap but music lovers. And for the record if hiphop is really dead, then M.I is the Grim Reaper!"^[22]

Ayomide Tayo of Pulse gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, concluding: "M.I's new album 'The Chairman' is that moment of inspiration that pushes the hero into the zone where he defies death. On Jude Abaga's third studio LP, he repays for his sins, and less than stellar releases within his barren spell. Chairman is an inspiring, entertaining and a brilliant body of work from a master who has regained his magical touch."^[23]

Dayo Showemimo of Nigerian Entertainment Today also gave the album 4 out 5 stars and described it as legendary. In addition, Showemimo commended the album's production and technical detail.^[24]

Track listing

The Chairman
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"The Beginning/Nobody"	Jude Abaga	Jude Abaga	3:13
2.	"Monkey" (featuring Chigurl)	Jude Abaga	Jude Abaga Reinhard^[a] L37^[a]	4:13
3.	"Rich" (featuring Koker)	Jude Abaga Koker L37	Sarz L37^[a] Sammy Gyang^[a] Jude Abaga^[a]	3:34
4.	"Mine" (featuring Wizkid)	Jude Abaga Ayodeji Balogun Ugo	Jude Abaga L37^[a] Reinhard^[a]	3:57
5.	"Shekpe" (featuring Reminisce)	Jude Abaga Remilekun Safaru	Sarz Jude Abaga^[b] Reinhard^[b]	3:48
6.	"Bad Belle" (featuring Moti Cakes)	Jude Abaga Moti Cakes	Reinhard	3:12
7.	"Wheel Barrow" (featuring Emmy Ace and Bennie Man)	Jude Abaga Anthony Davis	Sarz MI Abaga^[a] L37^[a] Reinhard^[a]	4:45
8.	"Brother" (featuring Nosa and Milli)	Jude Abaga Nosa Omoregie Milli Erica	Reinhard L37^[b]	3:54
9.	"The Middle" (featuring Olamide and I.J)	Jude Abaga Olamide Adedeji L37 Will	Jude Abaga L37^[a] Reinhard^[a]	4:10
10.	"Enemies" (featuring Patoranking)	Jude Abaga Patrick Okorie	MI Abaga L37^[a]	5:15
11.	"Bullion Van" (featuring Phyno, Runtown and Stormrex)	Jude Abaga Azubuike Nelson Douglas Jack-Agu L37 Stormrex	L37	4:35
12.	"Always Love" (featuring Seyi Shay)	Jude Abaga Deborah Joshua	Jude Abaga L37^[a] Reinhard^[a]	4:28
13.	"Millionaira Champagne" (featuring Ice Prince, Sarkodie and DJ Lambo)	Jude Abaga Michael Addo Panshak Zamani	Jude Abaga L37^[a] Reinhard^[a]	5:57
14.	"Yours" (featuring Milli and Debbie)	Jude Abaga Milli	L37	5:23
15.	"Beg" (featuring Morell and Loose Kaynon)	Jude Abaga Morell Loose Kaynon	Jude Abaga Reinhard^[b]	3:50
16.	"Human Being" (featuring 2face Idibia and Sound Sultan)	Jude Abaga Innocent Idibia Sound Sultan	Pheelz Jude Abaga^[a]	5:49
17.	"The End/The Chairman" (featuring Oritse Femi, Frank Edwards and Nanya)	Jude Abaga Tosin Martins Oritsefemi Ekele Frank Edwards	Jude Abaga VSTOL^[a] Frank Edwards^[a]	5:57
Total length:				75:00

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies a co-producer
• ^{^[b]} signifies an additional producer
• "Monkey" and "Bad Belle" contain additional vocals by Milli
• The skit performed on "Enemies" was done by Erica
• "Bullion Van" contains additional vocals by L37 and T-Soul
• "Millionaira Champagne" contains additional vocals by Reinhard
• "The End/The Chairman" contains additional vocals by Jade Abaga

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from M.I's website.^[25]

• Jude Abaga - primary artist, executive producer, production, writing, mixing
• Yahaya Maikori - executive producer
• Audu Maikori - executive producer
• Paul Okeugo - executive producer
• Innocent Idibia - performer, writer
• Ayodeji Balogun - performer, writer
• Deborah Joshua - performer, writer
• Panshak Zamani - performer, writer
• Olamide Adedeji - performer, writer
• Azubuike Nelson - performer, writer
• Remilekun Safaru - performer, writer
• Oritsefemi Ekele - performer, writer
• Patrick Okorie - performer, writer
• Douglas Jack-Agu - performer, writer
• Michael Addo - performer, writer
• Nosa Omoregie - performer, writer
• Anthony Davis - performer, writer
• Sound Sultan - performer, writer
• Koker - performer, writer
• Moti Cakes - performer, writer
• Morell - performer, writer
• Loose Kaynon - performer, writer
• Debbie - performer, writer
• Stormrex - performer, writer
• Ugo - performer, writer
• Milli - additional vocals, performer, writer
• Frank Edwards - performer, writer, production
• Tosin Martins - writer
• Will - writer
• I.J - performer
• Nanya - performer
• Chioma Omeruah - performer
• Emmy Ace - performer
• Jumar - performer
• DJ Lambo - performer
• Jade Abaga - additional vocals
• T-Soul - additional vocals
• Reinhard - production, additional production, additional vocals
• Sarz - production
• Pheelz - production
• Sammy Gyang - production, additional production
• L-37 - production, additional production, additional vocals, mixing
• VSTOL - production
• G-Plus - production, mixing
• Wilson Alao - Mixing
• Erica - skit performer
• August Udoh - Photography
• Blackchild - Album design
• Tunde Ahmed - Album design

Release history

Country/Digital platform	Date	Version	Format	Label
Nigeria iTunes	October 30, 2014	Standard	CD digital download	Chocolate City Loopy Music

References

1. "The Chairman by M.I Abaga". iTunes. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
2. Kan, Toni (19 October 2014). "M.I SHEATHES HIS SWORD IN NEW ALBUM". This Day. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
3. Showemimo, Dayo (24 October 2014). "M.I's unreleased album sells 30,000 copies". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
4. Eze, Chidinma (13 October 2014). "Jesse Jagz leaving Chocolate City affected me – M.I Abaga". Daily Post Newspaper. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
5. Oogbodo, Oseyiza. "AIRWAVES LINK: MI states intent with Chairman" (23 March 2013). National Mirror. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
6. "Nigeria: M.I Abaga the Chairman - His Burning Desire for Greatness". allAfrica.com. Leadership. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
7. "MI Abaga's "Chairman Album" available for Pre-order Now! #ChairmanSeason #IMMI #ChairmanAlbum". MADC. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
8. Opeoluwani, Akintayo (30 October 2014). ".I's 'Chairman' Album Out!". Daily Times of Nigeria. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
9. "Has MI Abaga Outdone Himself With His Latest 'Chairman' Album?". Fuse. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
10. "Exclusive Pictures: From M.I 's Chairman Album Release Industry Nite". Lobatan. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
11. Kan, Toni (26 October 2014). "'M.I's new album is an incredible delight'- Toni Kan". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
12. "MI returns with 'Chairman'". The Nation. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
13. "M.I Drops 'Chairman' Video". Channels TV. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
14. Olonilua, Ademola (25 May 2013). "Olamide and MI's N10m chairman song". Punch. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
15. "M.I Abaga – King James / Lyric VIDEO". NotjustOk. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
16. Akan, Joey (23 August 2013). "M.I's 'King James' Not On Upcoming Album". Pulse. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
17. "New Video: M.I Abaga featuring Moti Cakes – Bad Belle". Bellanaija. 4 December 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
18. "VIDEO: MI Abaga – Monkey ft. Chigurl". NotJustOk. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
19. "Bullion Van: Hot Music Video By M.I feat. Runtown, Phyno And Stormrex". Express Nigeria. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
20. Akan, Joey (26 January 2015). "Rapper shoots video for 'Bullion van' with Phyno, Runtown, Stormrex". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
21. "M.I (JUDE ABAGA) Taking the Music Industry by Storm". This Day. 26 October 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
22. Okeke, Oscar (3 November 2014). "The mind of a bully VS the heart of a mere human: MI's Chairman album review". Lobatan. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
23. Tayo, Ayomide (3 November 2014). "M.I Abaga - The Chairman". Pulse. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
24. Showemimo, Dayo (6 November 2014). "M.I's 'The Chairman' is a product of technical and creative perfection". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
25. "The Chairman – Complete list of album credits #ChairmanAlbum". MADC. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.