Nigeria’s Mr Eazi is a Ghana-based performer known for his R&B-influenced Afrobeat sound.
Born Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Mr Eazi grew up in Lagos. After high school, he relocated to Kumasi, Ghana, where he studied mechanical engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Based there, he launched his musical career in 2012 with the single “Pipi Dance.” A year later, he collaborated with U.K.-based DJ Juls on the track “Bankulize” (featuring Pappy Kojo). The single caught on and more high-profile recordings followed, including 2015’s “Skin Tight” (featuring Efya), which also performed well, garnering thousands of views online. From there, he collaborated on tracks with Sarkodie, Lil Kesh, Burna Boy, and others.
Despite his success, Mr Eazi was denied participation in the 2016 Ghana Music Awards because he was not a Ghanaian citizen. That same year, however, he signed with the Starboy Worldwide record label. In 2017, he released the mixtape Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1: Accra to Lagos, which featured guest appearances by Big Lean, Tekno, Phyno, DJ Cuppy, and others. Included on the album were the singles “Leg Over” and “Tilapia.” The release debuted at number four on the Billboard World Albums chart. A string of singles appeared over the next year, including the hit “Decline” with British R&B singer RAYE and the Lotto Boyzz and M.O. collaboration “Bad Vibe.” Early 2020 saw the arrival of the EP One Day You Will Understand, and later that fall, Eazi collaborated with Major Lazer on the song “Oh My Gawd,” which also featured Nicki Minaj and K4mo.
