Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 19, 2026

Mode 9

Babatunde Olusegun Adewale, popularly known by his stage name Modenine, is an English-born Nigerian rapper. He is a seven times Headies lyricist on the roll winner and he is widely regarded by industry heads as one of the greatest African lyricists of all time.

Last revised
Jun 19, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
758 w
Citations
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Source
Wikipedia ↗
Modenine
Modenine performing in 2010
Modenine performing in 2010
Background information
Also known asNigel Benn
Born
Babatunde Olusegun Adewale

(1975-06-14) June 14, 1975
Paddington, England
OriginOsun State, Nigeria
GenresRap, Hip hop
OccupationsRapper, lyricist
Years active1999–present
LabelRedeye Muzik
Websiteofficialmodenine.com

Babatunde Olusegun Adewale12 (born June 14, 1975), popularly known by his stage name Modenine, is an English-born Nigerian rapper.34 He is a seven times Headies lyricist on the roll winner and he is widely regarded by industry heads as one of the greatest African lyricists of all time.567

In 2014, he released "Super Human" with Jamaican-American rapper, Canibus.89

Early life and education

Babatunde was born in London on June 14, 1975, and his family relocated to Lagos during his preteen years.10 He is the third child of his parents who are from Osun State.11 He has credited Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five for inspiring his love for hip-hop.12 He attended Agboju secondary school.2 He earned a degree in Building Technology at Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.2

Career

He worked with Rhythm 84.7fm in Abuja, Nigeria as a radio presenter.2

In 2004, Babatunde released his debut project, Malcolm IX.13 In 2006 "Pentium IX" was released .1314 In 2007, he released another album called É Pluribus Unum.13 The album's main single, 'Cry', won three awards at the Channel O Music Video Awards in 2006.15 It also won the award for "Best Rap Single" at The Headies.16 Modenine has eight studio albums.13

In 2018, Babatunde released a new album titled "Hence4th" which was produced by Black Intelligence.17 In 2019, he released an album titled The Monument1819

He released an album in 2022 titled Popkorn! The Album as a soundtack for his podcast of the same name. 20

In 2024, he released Shiny Object Syndrome which received a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 17th Headies Awards. 21 22

Accolades

Discography

Single Albums

  • Malcolm IX -2004 13
  • Pentium IX - 200613
  • E' Pluribus Unum "One Amongst Many" -2007 13
  • The Paradigm Shift -2008
  • Da Vinci Mode -2010
  • Above Ground Level - 2014
  • Insulin - 2016
  • The Monument (By Stormatique) - 201918
  • Popkorn! The Album - 2022
  • Shiny Object Syndrome - 2024


Joint Albums

  • Modenine & Alias - Pay At-10-Shun - 2010
  • Modenine & Mills The Producer - Golden Era Guevara New Era Mandela - 2011
  • Modenine & XYZ - Alphabetical Order - 2013
  • Modenine and DJ Papercutt - Look What I Found EP - 2016
  • Modenine & Black Intelligence - Hence4th - 201817
  • Modenine & Black Intelligence ft Maka -Thereafter - 2025


Mixtapes

  • Malcolm IX - The Lost Sessions - 2004
  • Pentium IX - The Mixtape - 2005
  • Nigel Benn's KraftWork (Modenine and Kraft) - The Soul Edition - 2007
  • 09.09.09 The Mix Tape - 2009
  • Occupy The Throne - 2012
  • The Orisuna Experiments - 2023
  • Dusty Refixes - 2024

‘’’Features’’’

  • ’’ODUMODUBLVCK - INDUSTRY MACHINE - 2025’’
References

References

  1. "MODE 9 goes emotional: I released an album, no one cared!". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  2. "Mode Nine". Pulse Nigeria. 9 April 2014.
  3. "MI is a better Rapper than Iceprince -- Mode 9". hiphopworldmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  4. "Mode9 to quit rap music". The Punch. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  5. https://hiphopafrican.com/we-could-have-saved-modes-9/
  6. https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/music/1561498-olamide-odumodu-blvck-lists-top-nigerian-rappers-times/
  7. https://randr.ng/ice-prince-praises-mi-modenine/
  8. "Modenine & Canibus – Super Human (Prod. Teck-Zilla)". notjustOk. notjustok.com. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  9. "MODE 9 SIGNS NEW RECORD DEAL". 22 March 2012.
  10. Kpade, Sabo. "Modenine: "The Ones That Are Against Me Tend to Overlook My Skill & What I Can Do"". Okayafrica. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  11. "INTERVIEW WITH MODE 9 By Chiaka Opara". nigerianentertainment.com. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  12. "Nigerian Entertainment Online Magazine". nigerianentertainment.com. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  13. "10 essential songs by the Mathematical Sege". Pulse Nigeria. 14 June 2018.
  14. Selbo, Jordan (21 November 2006). "Mode 9 (Modenine) :: Pentium IX". Rap Reviews.
  15. "Channel O Music Video Awards". Bella Naija. Retrieved 23 October 2006.
  16. "2007 Winners". The Headies. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  17. "Rapper releases new album titled, 'Hence4th'". Pulse Nigeria. 2 June 2018.
  18. "Modenine returns with new album "The Monument"". 23 January 2019.
  19. "Nigerian rappers Mode 9 and Eva set for album release". Music In Africa. 5 August 2016.
  20. Olowofoyeku, Yinoluwa (23 December 2022). "Modenine Throws It Way Back Masterfully on "Popkorn!"". Afrocritik. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  21. "Review of Shiny Object Syndrome by Modenine". The Hip Hop African. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  22. "17th Headies Nominees/Winners". The Headies. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  23. "2007 Winners". The Headies. Retrieved 13 April 2025.