Award-winning Nigerian rapper MI Abaga (Jude Abaga) is shedding light on the mental health struggles faced by artists in the creative industry.
In a recent interview with Punch, Abaga highlighted the vulnerability of creatives to mental health issues due to constant rejection, negativity, and feelings of hopelessness. He emphasized that the situation can worsen for successful artists, potentially leading to drug abuse as a coping mechanism.
“Creatives are generally more at risk of mental health challenges,” Abaga said. “We face a lot of rejection, hopelessness, and negativity. Yet, when one becomes successful, it gets even worse.“
Abaga called for collective action to address this issue and support creatives in Nigeria and Africa who face the challenges of rejection and the pressures of success.