Rapper Jude ‘MI’ Abaga has recalled a humbling experience at the 2008 Headies Awards, revealing he was sent off the red  carpet to clear space for Nollywood icon Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde just hours before winning his first award.

Speaking during a recent appearance on Vbyz TV Cartel, the 44-year-old reflected on that period as one marked by intense effort but little public recognition.

Despite having earned a nomination for ‘Best Rap Single,’ Abaga said event personnel failed to recognize him when he arrived, leaving him and his manager struggling for acknowledgment.

Abaga recounted how, moments before the ceremony kicked off, he and his manager were repeatedly moved aside to create room for the veteran actress as photographers focused their attention solely on her.

“I have been grinding and no one cares about who I am and in February 2008, I was announced as the winner for ‘Best Rap Single’ and literally my life changed that day,” he stated.

“I remember I was walking into the crowd with my manager and as we were walking in Omotola came in with her security. The people on the red carpet did not even know I was nominated, so they were just like ‘Common get out of here’.

“So we went to stand at one other corner and because Omotola was moving from side to side to take her picture, they kept chasing us from place to place.”

Abaga said the experience gave him a clear view of the disparity between aspiring artists and established stars: “I was just looking at stardom and two hours later, I had an award in my hand, a gold plaque from Ayo Animashaun.

”Winning the award for ‘Best Rap Single’ proved to be the pivotal moment that launched his career into the mainstream: “After that plaque, everybody was like ‘MI is in the game’. After that it was ‘Safe’, ‘Talk About It’ and ‘Incredible Music’.