Legendary rapper M.I. has declared renowned lyricist Mode 9 to be the greatest Nigerian rapper of all time. The “The Guy” crooner praised Mode 9 as an unmatched rapper whose dedication to the purest form of the music has earned him a permanent place at the top of the hierarchy in an interview with the Hip-hop To Afrobeats podcast on Monday, March 23, 2026.
M.I. noted that Mode 9’s impact is fundamental, pointing out that his artistic depth and technical proficiency served as a model for succeeding generations of rappers. In his words, “Mode 9 is always gonna be the most respected Nigerian rapper of all time because he is a rapper that when you found him, you didn’t need to visit anybody else to improve your craft.”
The 44-year-old co-founder of Chocolate City, who is himself widely regarded as a contender for the G.O.A.T. title, decided to focus on Mode 9’s “unique and artistically impressive” style. He praised the seven-time Headies “Lyricist on the Roll” winner for his enduring commitment to the profession, despite the industry’s significant shift toward more commercial Afrobeats sounds.
