Mike Abdul
{{Short description|Nigerian gospel musical artist}}
{{Infobox artist
| name = Mike Abdul
| image = Mike Abdul.jpg
| birth_name = Michael Olayinka Abdul
| birth_date = 12 February 1977
| birth_place = Lagos State
| nationality = Nigerian
| alma_mater = Yaba College of Technology, Lagos
}}
Michael Olayinka Abdul (born 12 February 1977), popularly known as Mike Abdul, is a Nigerian gospel singer, music producer and songwriter.{{Cite web |last=Enenaite |first=Blessing |date=2022-04-17 |title=Why we chose to sing gospel songs - Popular entertainers |url=https://punchng.com/why-we-chose-to-sing-gospel-songs-popular-entertainers/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}} He served as an executive officer at Midnight Crew Music Limited. He has worked with several Nigerian gospel artists and music producers which include MoniQue, Tim Godfrey and others.{{Cite web |title=Mike Abdul Biography (Education, Ministry, Net worth) |url=https://naijabiography.com/biography/mike-abdul-biography-education-ministry-net-worth/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Naijabiography Media |language=en-US}}
Early life and education
Mike was born on 12 February in Lagos, Nigeria. He hails from Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, Nigeria. His parents grew up in Ijebu dynasty, his father at Ago-Iwoye and his mother at Ijebu-Oru.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-16 |title=Mike Abdul {{!}} Biography, Songs, Wife, Family And Networth |url=https://gospelrant.com.ng/mike-abdul-biography/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Gospel Rant |language=en-US}}
He had his Nursery and Primary education at A-Z Nursery and Mayflower School, Ikenne. He studied Electrical Engineering in the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos in Nigeria. After which, he furthered to Faith Christian Theological Seminary, Theology and Christian Education in Sango Otta, Ogun State where he studied Theology and Christian Education.{{deadlink|date=April 2025}}
Music career
His music career kicked off professionally in November 8, 2001, when he and three others founded "The Midnight Crew", a group that reigned in the 2000s and popularly known for their hit song “Igwe”. He served as an executive officer in the Midnight Crew and also worked with Spaghetti record.{{Cite web |date=2016-05-16 |title=Mike Abdul - 'Korede' |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/new-music-mike-abdul-korede/f4fbgtg |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=[Celebrity] Mike Abdul |url=https://www.kgospel.com.ng/2019/09/celebrity-mike-abdul.html |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=kgospel.com.ng |language=en-gb}}
He became popular after the release of the albums Good 2 Go, Korede and Grateful. He has worked with several Nigerian gospel artists. His Talent has won him several awards. He rose to fame as an award-winning gospel singer from Nigeria. Mike Abdul is currently one of the richest and most influential gospel music singer in Nigeria with an estimated net worth of $1-5 million.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-15 |title=Mike Abdul Biography And Net Worth |url=https://gospelhome.com.ng/mike-abdul-biography-and-net-worth/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=GospelHome |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2016-10-11 |title=Biography Of Mike Abdul |url=https://believersportal.com/biography-mike-abdul/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Believers Portal |language=en-US}} He currently holds a position among the top 10 Nigerian gospel artists and is considered the most featured Nigerian gospel musician ever.
In 2021, his song "Baba Ese" ranked the highest streamed music in Nigeria by Boomplay ahead of Mercy Chinwo, Onos Ariyo and others.{{Cite web |title=Onos, Mike Abdul & Mercy Chinwo Have Most Streamed Gospel Songs In 2021 {{!}} Details |url=https://www.thechristianfeeds.com/2021/12/onos-mike-abdul-mercy-chinwo-have-most.html |website=thechristianfeeds.com |access-date=2023-05-20}} He performed at the Africa Praise Experience (TAPE), 2022.{{Cite web |last=Moses |first=Orode |date=2022-09-08 |title=Mike Abdul Performance At The African Praise Experience 2022 |url=https://gospelminds.com/music-mp4/mike-abdul-performance-at-the-african-praise-experience-2022/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Gospel Songs Mp3 |language=en-US}}
In 2024, during an interview with Believers Companion,{{Cite web |date=12 April 2024 |title=The Secret Of Staying Consistent As A Gospel Musician - Mike Abdul's Exclusive Interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t3zWW3uGok&t=36s |website=Believers Companion}} a gospel music review blog, he confirmed that the members of Midnight Crew decided to pursue solo careers after their 20th anniversary concert at the University of Lagos in 2011.
In 2013, he launched his solo career with a song titled "Morire," featuring Monique.
Personal life
His first marriage was with Vivien Stephen. He is currently single.{{Cite web |last=Deolu |date=2013-10-27 |title=Gospel Singer Mike Abdul And His Gospel Singer Wife Breaks Up |url=https://www.informationng.com/2013/10/gospel-singer-mike-abdul-and-his-gospel-singer-wife-breaks-up.html |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Information Nigeria |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Gospel Singer Mike Abdul's Marriage to Vivien Hits The Rock, Falls in Love with Monique |url=https://www.spyetv.com.ng/2013/10/gospel-singer-mike-abduls-marriage-to.html |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=www.spyetv.com.ng}}
Discography
Mike has sung and featured on over 100 songs. Some of his songs include:
{{columns-list|colwidth=10em|
- Iro halleluyah
- Crossover
- Good 2 go
- Morire
- Eyan Jesu
- Jesu mi da
- 30 billion halleluyah
- Iye re
- Toh Marvelous
- Korede
- Pray for me
- God Alone
- No other name
- Cross Over
- Keep it to Myself
- Angeli
- Most High
- This New Year
}}
= EPs =
- House of Praise
- Dimension of Praise
- Grateful{{Cite web |last=Dennis |first=O'Neil |date=2022-03-02 |title=Sammie Okposo drops praise jam 'COMOT BODY' ft. Mike Abdul & Bidemi Olaoba |url=https://astepfwd.com/sammie-okposo-drops-praise-jam-comot-body-ft-mike-abdul-bidemi-olaoba/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Step FWD UK Christian Chart |language=en-GB}}
= Features =
- Testify{{Cite web |last=eMinor |title=Testify (ft. Mike Abdul) {{!}} Obiora Obiwon |url=http://www.reverbnation.com/obioraobiwon/song/17607639-testify-ft-mike-abdul |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=ReverbNation |language=en}}
- Sing unto the Lord{{Cite web |last=Naija |date=2019-05-22 |title=Sing Unto The Lord - Lawrence & De’Covenant Ft. Mike Abdul |url=https://jesusful.com/sing-unto-the-lord-lawrence-decovenant-ft-mike-abdul/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301155630/https://jesusful.com/sing-unto-the-lord-lawrence-decovenant-ft-mike-abdul/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Jesusful |language=en-US}}
- No alternative{{Cite web |last=Naija |date=2019-05-07 |title=No Alternative - Monique Ft A’dam & Mike Abdul (Mp3 & Lyrics) |url=https://jesusful.com/no-alternative-monique-ft-adam-mike-abdul-mp3-lyrics/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001182652/https://jesusful.com/no-alternative-monique-ft-adam-mike-abdul-mp3-lyrics/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Jesusful |language=en-US}}
- Commot body{{Cite web |last=Dennis |first=O'Neil |date=2022-03-02 |title=Sammie Okposo drops praise jam 'COMOT BODY' ft. Mike Abdul & Bidemi Olaoba |url=https://astepfwd.com/sammie-okposo-drops-praise-jam-comot-body-ft-mike-abdul-bidemi-olaoba/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Step FWD UK Christian Chart |language=en-GB}}
Awards
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Awards !Category !Status !Year |
| Crystal awards
|Song of the year |Won |
| All Africa Awards (AFRIMA)
|Best male artist in Africa |Nominated |
| City People Music Award
|Gospel Artist of the Year |Won |
| Kingdom Achievers award
|Best Male artist |Won |