“Many artistes are turning to drugs due to rejection” – MI Abaga claims
Nigerian hip-hop artist and music executive MI Abaga has claimed that many artistes turn to drugs due to rejection in the entertainment industry.
In a recent interview, MI Abaga voiced his worries, about how people in the creative field are prone to these kinds of problems.
According to MI Abaga, because they are constantly subjected to rejection, hopelessness, and negativity, creatives—including artistes—are especially susceptible to mental health issues.
He underlined that for prosperous artists, the circumstances worsen, and many turn to drug addiction as a coping strategy.
“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.
This comes shortly after singer Solidstar opened up on his battles with drugs and how it landed him in the mental home twice.
“A lot of things happen to me, young boys introduced me to this substance called ice. This was three years back. This thing really do bad, affect me a lot.
Sometimes this substance go tell me say ‘You’e a King’, e go tell me say I be king I no suppose pay for stuff. Can you believe I waka from Awoyaya to Orient@l Hotel”, Solidstar said.
Furthermore, the One Naira crooner opines that a major way to develop the country through the entertainment industry is by decentralising the creative sector.
He said; “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.”
