Recorded 2012–2014 Illegal Music 2
(2012) The Chairman
(2014) Release date 30 October 2014 | Length 75:00 Artist M.I Genre Hip hop music | |
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Released October 30, 2014 (2014-10-30) Label Chocolate City
Loopy Music The Chairman
(2014) Illegal Music 3 The Finale
(2016) Producers Yahaya Maikori, Audu Maikori, M.I, Sarz, Pheelz, Frank Edwards Awards City People Entertainment Award for Album of the Year Similar Illegal Music 3: The Finale, Street OT, Baba Hafusa, King of Queens, Ayo | ||
M i the chairman album listening session by deejaydadson
The Chairman is the third studio album by Nigerian hip hop recording artist M.I, released on October 30, 2014 by Chocolate City and Loopy Music. 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, Chigurl, Milli, Frank Edwards, Nanya, G-Plus, Morell, Loose Kaynon, Pheelz, Debbie, DJ Lambo, Sarz, Stormrex, L-37, VSTOL and I.J.
Contents
- M i the chairman album listening session by deejaydadson
- M i the end the chairman ft oritse femi frank edwards and nanya
- Background and composition
- Promotional singles
- Singles
- Critical reception
- Accolades
- Track listing
- Personnel
- Songs
- References
The album's production began in 2012 and continued through the third quarter of 2014. The rapper worked with several collaborators, while enlisting new producers. Much of The Chairman tells the story of the rapper's journey into limelight. According to the rapper's sales team, the album sold 30,000 copies in pre-order sales. The album was supported by "Chairman" and "King James", two promotional singles that didn't make the cut.
M i the end the chairman ft oritse femi frank edwards and nanya
Background and composition
M.I took 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 Chairman was initially slated for release in June 2013, but was pushed back due to the rapper partaking in other business ventures. In a 2014 interview with Sunrise Daily, M.I said that Jesse Jagz's departure from Chocolate City also delayed the album. In an interview with Leadership newspaper, M.I said he was inspired to name the album The Chairman after hearing people address him as such. The album comprises 17 tracks and every track, excluding "The Middle", has an opposite. On October 22, 2014, the album was made available for pre order. On October 29, 2014, the album's official cover art and track list were released. Also on October 29, 2014, M.I held a listening party for the album at Industry Nite. He performed alongside Jesse Jagz and dedicated the record "Brother" to him.
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. On "Monkey", a song that features the comedian Chigurl, M.I raps with a gospel flow over a Highlife instrumental. On "Human Being", the rapper reminds listeners that celebrity is not all its hyped up to be. On "Rich", M.I narrates his grass to grace story. "On Brother", he enlists Nosa to help him depict the cracks in Chocolate City. "Shekpe" is a song that celebrates street life and low-cost highs. On "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 End/The Chairman", M.I tells listeners that the real chairman is God.
Promotional singles
The Chairman was supported by two promotional singles. On March 19, 2013, M.I released the first promotional single "Chairman", which was initially announced as the album's lead single. The song was produced by E.Kelly, Chopstix and M.I. It was launched via a Google Plus hangout, which was streamed live on Google Plus and YouTube. On May 13, 2013, the music video for "Chairman" was uploaded onto YouTube. It was shot and directed in Los Angeles. According to Saturday Beats, M.I spent ₦10 million on the video shoot.
The second promotional single, titled "King James", was released on August 21, 2014. 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.
Singles
"Bad Belle" was released as the album's lead single. Its music video was shot and directed in Nigeria by MEX. The video features cameo appearances from Basketmouth, Mode 9, Sound Sultan, Yung6ix and Show Dem Camp, among others.
M.I released "Monkey" as the album's second single on March 26, 2015. Its music video features comedian Chigurl and was self-directed by M.I. "Bullion Van" was released as the album's third single. Its official music video was shot and directed by Mex. Kemi Adetiba shot a music video for the song at Koga Studios that was never released.
Critical reception
The Chairman received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Toni Kan of THIS DAY concluded that the album "is a chockfull of hits. It is autobiography and memoir, manual and manifesto, pure fiction and drama, as well as poetry on an epic scale. This is a mature, confident and sure-footed album." Oscar Okeke of Lobatan gave the album an A rating, concluding: "The chairman album sounds like the result of an extended period of anxiety, overweighing thoughts, pressure, and other deep seated emotions that can only manifest through music." Ayomide Tayo of Pulse gave the album 4 stars out of 5, concluding: "On Jude Abaga's third studio LP, he repays for his sins, and less than stellar releases within his barren spell. Chairman is an inspiring, entertaining and a brilliant body of work from a master who has regained his magical touch."
Dayo Showemimo of Nigerian Entertainment Today also gave the album 4 stars out of 5 and described it as "legendary". In addition, Showemimo commended the album's production and technical detail. Reviewing for NotJustOk, Tola Sarumi gave the LP 6.5 stars out of 10, concluding that the album has something for everyone. Jim Donnett of TooXclusive gave the album 2.5 stars out of 5, stating that M.I's decision to feature 26 artists brings into question his sole abilities. Wilfred Okiche from YNaija believes that the album's defining experience came from its subtle songs. Henry Igwe, another writer from YNaija, said that the lyrics and production on "Human Being" are nonpareil, when compared to "Shekpe" or "Bullion Van". The Breaking Times gave the album 7 stars, concluding: "On Chairman, M.I. shows he hasn’t lost much (in terms of song crafting and ear for beats), and therefore, has nothing to prove to naysayers".
Accolades
The Chairman won Best Rap Album and was nominated for Album of the Year at The Headies 2015.
Track listing
Notes
Personnel
Credits adapted from M.I's website.
Songs
1The Beginning / NobodyMI3:14
2Monkey (feat Chi Gurl)MI4:14
3Rich (feat Koker)Koker - MI3:34