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Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade (born 19 July 1991), better known by his stage name Mr Eazi, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and Music executive. He is the pioneer of Banku music, a fusion of sound he describes as a mixture of Ghana highlife and Nigerian chord progressions and patterns. Mr Eazi relocated to Kumasi in 2008 and enrolled at KNUST, where he began booking artists to perform at college parties. He showed interest in music after recording a guest verse on "My Life", a song that gained traction and became a popular record at KNUST. Mr Eazi released his debut mixtape About to Blow in 2013. He gained an international audience following the release of the Efya-assisted single "Skin Tight". His second mixtape, titled Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra to Lagos, was released in 2017.
On 19 July, Mr Eazi announced the release of his decade-in-the-making debut solo album on 27 October 2023.
In August 2015, Mr Eazi released the dancehall-influenced track "Skin Tight". It features guest vocals from Ghanaian singer Efya and was produced by DJ Juls. In an interview with Complex magazine, Mr Eazi described the song as a "fusion". He said he spoke Ghanaian pidgin on the delivery and used Nigerian melodies. In August 2016, Nigerian record producer Cobhams Asuquo released a rendition of the song. DJ Caise released a house remix of the song in September 2016, while Terry G collaborated with Mr Eazi to release a remix of the song. In April 2017, "Skin Tight" was featured in an ad for the vodka brand Ciroc.
Mr Eazi was featured on Eugy's 2016 hit single "Dance for Me". The Guardian newspaper included the song on its list of the 10 biggest African tracks of 2016. The music video for "Dance for Me" was directed by Vertex and Gabriella Kingsley. Robin Murray of Clash magazine described the song as a "salute to their joint Ghanaian heritage". On 17 June 2016, Mr Eazi released the R&B-inspired "Anointing", a song that features rap vocals from Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie. Mr Eazi first announced plans for the song in May 2016.
Following his performance at the 2016 Ghana Music Awards, Wizkid announced that he signed Mr Eazi to his imprint Starboy Entertainment. However, Mr Eazi told Star FM Ghana in July 2017 that he is not officially signed to Starboy. He also told Star FM Ghana that he is only in business with the imprint. Mr Eazi's second mixtape, Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra To Lagos, was released on 10 February 2017. The mixtape was initially scheduled for release on 11 February 2017. It debuted at number 4 on the Billboard World Albums chart. The mixtape comprises 14 tracks, including three bonus tracks. Guest artists featured on the mixtape include Tekno Miles, Olamide, Phyno, Mugeez, Medikal, DJ Cuppy, Falz, and Big Lean. Its production was handled by Maleek Berry, Masterkraft, Legendury Beatz, and Young John. Mr Eazi announced on Instagram that the mixtape sold 200,000 copies in pre-orders. While speaking to Julie Adenuga on her Beats 1 radio show, he said the mixtape is a tribute to the two cities that influenced the evolution of his sound.
The mixtape's lead single "Leg Over" was produced by E-Kelly and released on 2 December 2016. The music video for "Leg Over" features cameo appearances from comedian Eddie Kadi, Maleek Berry, and Wizkid. Mr Eazi told Lawrence Burney from Noisey.com that the song is about being taken advantage of in a relationship. He also said the song was leaked and wasn't meant to be a single. Upon its release in December 2016, "Leg Over" inspired numerous dance videos. Gabriel Myers Hansen, a critic and editor whose review was posted on the Music In Africa website, described the song as "gentle and minimalist". Hansen also said it is "freshened by delicate string and percussion placements reminiscent of highlife from decades ago". On 1 February 2017, Mr Eazi released "Tilapia" as the mixtape's second single. It features vocals from Ghanaian hip hop artist Medikal. On 1 March 2017, Mr Eazi released the Sesan Ogunro-directed music video for "In The Morning". The song features vocals from Toronto rapper Big Lean. On 1 April 2017, Mr Eazi released the Teekay-directed music video for "Fight", a song that features additional vocals from DJ Cuppy. On 7 April 2017, Mr Eazi released the music video for "Business", a song that features vocals from Mugeez of R2Bees.
In January 2021, Ajibade announced his upcoming EP titled Something Else, set for a 19 February release. On 10 June 2022, Eazi released "Legalize", through emPawa Africa.
In 2023, Mr Eazi released his debut studio album, The Evil Genius.
Mr Eazi, has released his second single and art, Personal Baby, off his yet-to-be-titled debut album.
| +List of singles, with year released, selected chart positions and certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:22em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="6" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album | ||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. "×" denotes that the chart did not exist at the time. | |||||||||||
| +List of singles, with year released, selected chart positions and certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:22em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="8" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album | |||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. "×" denotes that the chart did not exist at the time. | ||||||||||||
| +List of songs, with year released, selected chart positions and certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:22em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="5" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album | ||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. "×" denotes that the chart did not exist at the time. | |||||||||
| 2018 | The Headies | Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year | Himself | ||
| 2017 | MOBO Awards | Best African Act | Himself | ||
| Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Afropop Male Artist | Himself | |||
| 2016 | WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards | Special Recognition Award Music Video Africa | "Skin Tight" (featuring Efya) | ||
| Soundcity MVP Awards | Best New Artiste | Himself | |||
| Song of the Year | "Hollup" (featuring Joey B and Dammy Krane) | ||||
| Viewers Choice | |||||
| Listeners Choice | "Skin Tight" (featuring Efya) | ||||
| The Headies | Next Rated | Himself | |||
| MOBO Awards | Best African Act | ||||
| Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Act to Watch | ||||
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