The Chairman (M.I album) explained

The Chairman
Type:studio
Artist:M.I
Cover:The Chairman album cover.jpg
Released:[1]
Recorded:2012–2014
Genre:Hip hop
Length:75:00
Prev Title:Illegal Music 2
Prev Year:2012
Next Title:The Indestructible Choc Boi Nation
Next Year:2015

The Chairman is the third studio album by Nigerian rapper and record producer M.I. It was 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, Reinhard, Sarz, and Ice Prince, among others. The Chairman was supported by the singles "Bad Belle", "Monkey" and "Bullion Van". It won Best Rap Album and was nominated for Album of the Year at The Headies 2015.

Background and promotion

M.I spent 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 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, Chigul, Milli, Frank Edwards, Nanya, G-Plus, Morell, Loose Kaynon, Pheelz, Debbie, DJ Lambo, Sarz, Stormrex, L-37, VSTOL and I.J. Its production began in 2012 and continued through the third quarter of 2014. M.I worked with several collaborators while enlisting new producers. Much of The Chairman tells the story of the rapper's journey into limelight. According to M.I's team, the album sold 30,000 copies in pre-order sales.[3]

The Chairman was initially slated for release in June 2013, but was postponed due to the rapper partaking in other business ventures. In an interview with Sunrise Daily in 2014, M.I said Jesse Jagz's departure from Chocolate City also delayed the album.[4] [5] In another interview with Leadership newspaper, he said he was inspired to name the album The Chairman after hearing people address him as such.[6] The album comprises seventeen tracks and every track, excluding "The Middle", has an opposite. On October 22, 2014, the album was made available for pre order.[7] Seven days later, its official cover art and track list were released.[8] M.I held a listening party for the album at Industry Nite on the same day. He performed alongside Jesse Jagz and dedicated the record "Brother" to him.[9] [10]

The Chairman was supported by two promotional singles. The first promotional single, "Chairman", was released on March 19, 2013. It was initially announced as the album's lead single and was jointly produced by E.Kelly, Chopstix and M.I. The song was launched via a Google Plus hangout, which was streamed live on Google Plus and YouTube.[11] On May 13, 2013, the music video for "Chairman" was uploaded to YouTube; it was shot and directed in Los Angeles.[12] According to Saturday Beats, M.I spent ₦10 million on the video shoot.[13] The second promotional single, "King James", was released on August 21, 2014.[14] 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.[15]

Composition

The Chairman encompasses several layers of M.I's autobiography. On the album's opener "The Beginning/Nobody", M.I plays the role of a crazy teacher with his voice. In the Chigul-assisted track "Monkey", he raps with a gospel flow over a highlife instrumental. In "Human Being", he reminds listeners that celebrity is not all its hyped up to be. In "Rich", M.I narrates his grass to grace story, and in "Brother", he enlists Nosa to help him depict the cracks at Chocolate City. "Shekpe" is a song that celebrates street life and low-cost highs. In "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 album's closing track, "The End/The Chairman", M.I tells listeners that the real chairman is God.

Singles

"Bad Belle" was released as the album's lead single. Shot and directed in Nigeria by Mex, the song's music video features cameo appearances from Basketmouth, Mode 9, Sound Sultan, Yung6ix and Show Dem Camp, among others.[16] The album's second single, "Monkey", was released on March 26, 2015. Its accompanying music video was self-directed by M.I.[17] "Bullion Van" was released as the album's third single. Its official music video was shot and directed by Mex.[18] Kemi Adetiba shot an unreleased music video for the song at Koga Studios.[19]

Critical reception

The Chairman received generally positive reviews from music critics. Toni Kan of Thisday newspaper called the album a "chockfull of hits" and characterized it as an "autobiography and memoir, manual and manifesto, pure fiction and drama, as well as poetry on an epic scale."[20] [21] Oscar Okeke of Lobatan gave the album an A rating, noting it "sounds like the result of an extended period of anxiety, overweighing thoughts, pressure, and other deep seated emotions that can only manifest through music."[22] Ayomide Tayo of Pulse Nigeria awarded the album 4 stars out of 5, calling it "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 granted the album 4 stars out of 5, describing it as "legendary" and commending its production and technical detail.[24] The Breaking Times rated the album 7 out of 10, saying he "hasn't lost much (in terms of song crafting and ear for beats), and therefore, has nothing to prove to naysayers".[25] Reviewing for NotJustOk, Tola Sarumi rated the record 6.5 out of 10, concluding it has something for everyone.[26] Wilfred Okiche from YNaija believes the album's defining experience came from its subtle songs.[27] Henry Igwe, another YNaija writer, said the lyrics and production on "Human Being" are nonpareil, when compared to "Shekpe" or "Bullion Van".[28]

In a less enthusiastic review, Jim Donnett of TooXclusive gave the album 2.5 stars out of 5, criticizing M.I's solo abilities and decision to feature 26 artists.[29] The Chairman won Best Rap Album and was nominated for Album of the Year at The Headies 2015.[30] [31]

Track listing

Notes

Personnel

Credits adapted from M.I's website.[32]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Chairman by M.I Abaga. iTunes. 31 October 2014. 30 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141222051815/https://itunes.apple.com/ng/album/the-chairman/id935500919. 22 December 2014. live.
  2. Web site: Kan. Toni. M.I SHEATHES HIS SWORD IN NEW ALBUM. This Day. 30 October 2014. 19 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141031012949/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/m-i-sheathes-his-sword-in-new-album/191587/. 31 October 2014. dead.
  3. Web site: Showemimo. Dayo. M.I’s unreleased album sells 30,000 copies. Nigerian Entertainment Today. 30 October 2014. 24 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141028080824/http://thenet.ng/2014/10/m-is-unreleased-album-sells-30000-copies. 28 October 2014. live.
  4. Web site: Eze. Chidinma. Jesse Jagz leaving Chocolate City affected me – M.I Abaga. Daily Post Newspaper. 1 November 2014. 13 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141101214719/http://dailypost.ng/2014/10/13/jesse-jagz-leaving-chocolate-city-affected-m-abaga/. 1 November 2014. live.
  5. Web site: Oogbodo. Oseyiza. AIRWAVES LINK: MI states intent with Chairman. National Mirror. 1 November 2014. 23 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20141101212836/http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/airwaves-link-mi-states-intent-with-chairman/. 1 November 2014. usurped.
  6. Web site: Nigeria: M.I Abaga the Chairman – His Burning Desire for Greatness. allAfrica.com. Leadership. 1 November 2014. 15 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20141101214603/http://allafrica.com/stories/201311150321.html. 1 November 2014. live.
  7. Web site: MI Abaga’s "Chairman Album" available for Pre-order Now! #ChairmanSeason #IMMI #ChairmanAlbum. MADC. 1 November 2014. 22 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141101212119/http://miabaga.com/mi-abagas-chairman-album-available-for-pre-order-now-chairmanseason-immi-chairmanalbum/. 1 November 2014. live.
  8. Web site: Opeoluwani. Akintayo. .I's 'Chairman' Album Out!. Daily Times of Nigeria. 1 November 2014. 30 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141101220054/http://www.dailytimes.com.ng/article/mis-chairman-album-out. 1 November 2014. live.
  9. Web site: Has MI Abaga Outdone Himself With His Latest ‘Chairman’ Album?. Fuse. 1 November 2014. 30 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141031054743/http://www.fuse.com.ng/2014/10/30/mi-abaga-outdone-latest-chairman-album/. 31 October 2014. live.
  10. Web site: Exclusive Pictures: From M.I ‘s Chairman Album Release Industry Nite. Lobatan. 1 November 2014. 30 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141101211007/http://lobatanafrica.com/exclusive-pictures-m-s-chairman-album-release-industry-nite/. 1 November 2014. live.
  11. Web site: MI returns with ‘Chairman’. The Nation. 1 November 2014. 23 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20141101205741/http://thenationonlineng.net/new/mi-returns-with-chairman/. 1 November 2014. live.
  12. Web site: M.I Drops ‘Chairman’ Video. Channels TV. 1 November 2014. 13 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20141101234719/http://www.channelstv.com/2013/05/13/m-i-drops-chairman-video/. 1 November 2014. live.
  13. Web site: Olonilua. Ademola. Olamide and MI’s N10m chairman song. Punch. 1 November 2014. 25 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20141101214753/http://www.punchng.com/entertainment/saturday-beats/olamide-and-mis-n10m-chairman-song/. 1 November 2014. live.
  14. Web site: M.I Abaga – King James / Lyric VIDEO. NotjustOk. 27 September 2014. 21 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140924101606/http://notjustok.com/2014/08/21/m-i-abaga-king-james-lyric-video/. 24 September 2014. live.
  15. Web site: Akan. Joey. M.I's 'King James' Not On Upcoming Album. Pulse. 27 September 2014. 23 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140825193112/http://pulse.ng/music/pulse-exclusive-m-is-king-james-not-on-upcoming-album-id3074031.html. 25 August 2014. live.
  16. Web site: New Video: M.I Abaga featuring Moti Cakes – Bad Belle. Bellanaija. 7 February 2015. 4 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150207152205/http://www.bellanaija.com/2014/12/04/new-video-m-i-abaga-bad-belle/. 7 February 2015. live.
  17. Web site: VIDEO: MI Abaga – Monkey ft. Chigurl . NotJustOk . 26 March 2015 . 7 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160604104228/http://notjustok.com/2015/03/26/video-mi-abaga-monkey-ft-chigurl/ . 4 June 2016 . live .
  18. Web site: Bullion Van: Hot Music Video By M.I feat. Runtown, Phyno And Stormrex . Express Nigeria . 26 August 2015 . 7 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160609210615/http://expressng.com/2015/08/bullion-van-hot-music-video-by-m-i-feat-runtown-phyno-and-stormrex/ . 9 June 2016 . live .
  19. Web site: Akan. Joey. Rapper shoots video for 'Bullion van' with Phyno, Runtown, Stormrex. Pulse.ng. 7 February 2015. 26 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150128003645/http://pulse.ng/music/m-i-abaga-rapper-shoots-video-for-bullion-van-with-phyno-runtown-stormrex-id3433879.html. 28 January 2015. live.
  20. Web site: Kan. Toni. ‘M.I’s new album is an incredible delight’- Toni Kan. Nigerian Entertainment Today. 31 October 2014. 26 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141029031031/http://thenet.ng/2014/10/m-is-new-album-is-an-incredible-delight-toni-kan. 29 October 2014. live.
  21. Web site: M.I (JUDE ABAGA) Taking the Music Industry by Storm. This Day. 1 November 2014. 26 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141101213352/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/m-i-jude-abaga-taking-the-music-industry-by-storm/192223/. 1 November 2014. live.
  22. Web site: Okeke. Oscar. The mind of a bully VS the heart of a mere human: MI’s Chairman album review. Lobatan. 4 November 2014. 3 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141104074649/http://lobatanafrica.com/mind-bully-vs-heart-mere-human-mis-chairman-album-review-2/. 4 November 2014. live.
  23. Web site: Tayo. Ayomide. M.I Abaga – The Chairman. Pulse. 7 November 2014. 3 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141107144445/http://pulse.ng/music/pulse-album-review-m-i-abaga-the-chairman-id3242571.html. 7 November 2014. live.
  24. Web site: Showemimo. Dayo. M.I’s ‘The Chairman’ is a product of technical and creative perfection. Nigerian Entertainment Today. 7 November 2014. 6 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141109034817/http://thenet.ng/2014/11/m-is-the-chairman-is-a-product-of-technical-and-creative-perfection/. 9 November 2014. live.
  25. Web site: ALBUM REVIEW: THE CHAIRMAN – M.I. ABAGA. The Breaking Times. 4 February 2017. 11 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20170205100111/http://www.thebreakingtimes.com/album-review-chairman-m-abaga/. 5 February 2017. live.
  26. Web site: Tola Sarumi. Album Review: M.I Abaga – The Chairman. NotJustOk. 4 February 2017. 5 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20170205181251/http://notjustok.com/2014/11/05/album-review-m-abaga-chairman/. 5 February 2017. live.
  27. Web site: Wilfred Okiche. ALBUM REVIEW: THE TROUBLE WITH MI’S THE CHAIRMAN. YNaija. 4 February 2017. 22 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20170205102108/https://ynaija.com/album-review-the-trouble-with-mis-the-chairman/. 5 February 2017. live.
  28. Web site: Henry Igwe. ALBUM REVIEW: ‘THE CHAIRMAN’ BY MI ABAGA – PERFECT MONIKER OR A MISNOMER?. YNaija. 4 February 2017. 10 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20170205100122/http://ynaija.com/album-review-the-chairman-by-mi-abaga-perfect-moniker-or-a-misnomer/. 5 February 2017. live.
  29. Web site: Jim Donnett. ALBUM REVIEW: M.I – The Chairman. TooXclusive. 4 February 2017. 5 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20170205101027/http://tooxclusive.com/artist-album-reviews/album-review-m-chairman/. 5 February 2017. live.
  30. News: The Headies Awards 2015– Full Nominees List. 36NG. Adeleke. Shayo. 30 September 2015. 22 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160121091847/http://www.36ng.com.ng/2015/09/30/the-headies-awards-2015-full-nominees-list/. 21 January 2016. live.
  31. News: Olamide, Timi Dakolo, YCee Win Big At HEADIES 2015. Leadership Newspaper. Abulude. Samuel. 6 January 2016. 23 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160129081859/http://www.leadership.ng/entertainment/489430/olamide-timi-dakolo-ycee-win-big-headies-2015. 29 January 2016. live.
  32. Web site: The Chairman – Complete list of album credits #ChairmanAlbum. MADC. 11 November 2014. 10 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141111213445/http://miabaga.com/the-chairman-complete-list-of-album-credits-chairmanalbum/. 11 November 2014. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "The Chairman (M.I album)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.