The well-known Nigerian hip-hop artist and music executive MI Abaga has disclosed why many artistes turn to drugs.
The artist has brought attention to the widespread problem of mental health difficulties in the entertainment industry.
In an 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.
