How I deal with broke-shaming – MI Abaga

Jude ‘MI’ Abaga, the rapper, has spoken out against the culture of “broke-shaming,” describing it as a pervasive social pressure that forces many into financial strain.

Speaking on the WithChude podcast, the hip hop star explained that he recognised early in his career how people in Nigeria are often judged based on their perceived financial status.

Abaga said he made a conscious decision to reject the pressure, understanding that allowing the fear of judgment to control one’s actions gives others “exceeding power over you”.

The rapper detailed how this fear can become a trap, leading individuals to constantly adjust their behaviour to meet external expectations.

“Why I understood that people in Nigeria try to broke-shame people. Then I had to make a decision if I want that to have power over me. Because if you do not deal with that, they would have exceeding power over you,” he said.

“If you are not comfortable with the fact that if somebody sees you driving a car, (they wonder and they are trying to broke shame you and a 100 people try to broke shame. If you do not deal with that, then you are going to continue adjusting to expectations.

“That is how you go broke. You go broke trying to just prove a point to people.

“One of the things that Nigerians are concerned about is their perception. And we are a country that statistically, most people do not have money. It took me time to mentally prepare myself.”

The 44-year-old rapper shared that it took him time to build the mental fortitude to remain unaffected.

“I can be somewhere, people can broke-shame me, everybody can laugh, all our heroes flying private jets then, where are they now? It is not personal to you. It is just how life is,” he added.