The well-known Nigerian hip hop artist and music executive Jude Abaga, also referred to as MI Abaga, has brought attention to the widespread problem of mental health difficulties in the entertainment industry.
MI Abaga voiced his worries in an interview, noting out that people in the creative field are prone to these kinds of problems.
MI Abaga claims that because creatives—including artists—frequently face rejection, hopelessness, and negativity, they are especially susceptible to mental health issues.
He underlined that for successful artists, the situation gets worse, and many turn to drug misuse as a coping method.
“Creatives are generally more at risk of mental health challenges to the extent that even when we are in the middle of it, there is no support. We face a lot of rejection, hopelessness and negativity. Yet, when one becomes successful, it gets even worse.
The problem is so big and many artists are turning to drug abuse. We need to tackle the issue collectively to find ways to help creatives in Nigeria and Africa when faced with rejection,” MI Abaga said.
MI Abaga continued by discussing the necessity of decentralisation in the entertainment sector in order to promote its expansion and advancement.
Making comparisons to nations such as South Africa, the US, and the UK, he stressed the significance of developing vibrant entertainment destinations throughout the world.
“The entertainment industry needs to be decentralised for it to really develop. Take South Africa for instance, if I want to shoot a film, it is probably better to go to Cape Town, and if I want to shoot a music video, I would go to Johannesburg. The more we develop in different areas, the better the country gets.
“Also, in the United States of America, there are places like Atlanta, New York, Texas that have thriving entertainment hubs, and in the United Kingdom, there are places like London and Liverpool.
“But, in Nigeria, we only have Lagos and there is a drop off. However, places like Plateau State can really develop and be a part of the industry. For people like me, who have been in the industry for a while, and have had the opportunity to learn, this is a great time to give back, and I’m starting from Jos,” he added.
