Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Coastal Capital Cotonou with Afrobeats Star Mr Eazi
Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Coastal Capital Cotonou with Afrobeats Star Mr Eazi - Riding the Waves of Cotonou's Thriving Music Scene
As an afrobeats star, Mr Eazi was drawn to explore Cotonou partially due to its reputation as a hotbed for West African music. The seaside capital of Benin has long been known as the "Houston of West Africa," famed for its recording studios, nightclubs, and homegrown talents.
Walking the streets of Cotonou, the city's musical heartbeat pulses in every direction. Outdoor bars blast Nigerian hip-hop while taxi drivers cruise by bumping funky Congolese rumba tunes. At the bustling Dantokpa Market, you can hear traditional Beninese rhythms mixed with reggae, soul, and jazz pouring out from radios and food stalls.
The diverse sounds reflect Cotonou's cultural melting pot. Musicians from across the region have flocked here for decades, blending their own styles with local traditions. Ghanaian highlife, Ivorian coupe-decale, and Malian blues have all cross-pollinated with Benin's deep well of rhythmic folk genres to create an ever-evolving sonic stew.
Beyond the omnipresent street music, Cotonou offers plenty of lively venues to experience live performances. Some of the top nightclubs showcase Beninese pop stars like Angélique Kidjo, who helped define the "Cotonou Sound" back in the '70s and '80s. Other hot spots feature touring West African acts, international DJs spinning electronic dance beats, or local bands revamping voodoo chants and village songs into contemporary mashups.
When Mr Eazi rolled into town, he immediately tapped into the city's kinetic musical energy. Joining up with Cotonou-based artists Fresh Laundry, Tëy, and YCee, he spent late nights in the studio soaking up new influences. They sampled dusty old vinyl records, fused rhythms from across the region, and spit playful patois lyrics about life in the capital.
The collaboration resulted in Mr Eazi's recent banger track "Cotonou," a love letter to the city's vibrant party scene. Dropping references to neighborhoods like Fidjrossè and Cadjehoun, it's a distinctly Cotonou-flavored stew ofcitified hip-hop, bleeping synths, and stuttering percussive loops.
Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Coastal Capital Cotonou with Afrobeats Star Mr Eazi - Discovering the Rich History and Culture of Benin
Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Coastal Capital Cotonou with Afrobeats Star Mr Eazi - Indulging in Mouthwatering Local Cuisine
Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Coastal Capital Cotonou with Afrobeats Star Mr Eazi - Hitting the Streets for a Taste of Cotonou's Nightlife
Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Coastal Capital Cotonou with Afrobeats Star Mr Eazi - Learning Traditional Dance Moves with Locals
Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Coastal Capital Cotonou with Afrobeats Star Mr Eazi - Shopping for Handicrafts at Cotonou's Markets
Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Coastal Capital Cotonou with Afrobeats Star Mr Eazi - Cooling Off at the Picturesque beaches
After exploring the city's bustling markets, throbbing nightclubs, and historic sites, Cotonou's picturesque beaches provide the perfect spot to unwind and beat the heat. Stretching along the Gulf of Guinea, these sandy stretches offer breezy seaside relaxation just minutes from the urban action.
Mr Eazi escaped the crowds by heading north of the city center to Fidjrossè Beach, Cotonou's most famous seaside hangout. Backed by swaying palms, this golden sand hangout has long lured locals, expats, and tourists alike with its laidback vibe. By day, beachgoers sip cold beers, play soccer, and swim in the Atlantic's aquamarine waters. Come sunset, Fidjrossè transforms into a lively open-air party with bonfires, drumming circles, and dancing under the stars.
For Mr Eazi, the beach's carefree atmosphere and vibrant energy evoked the spirit of his hit song "Cotonou." He joined some local musicians for an impromptu jam session, lending his signature crooning vocals over their intricate polyrhythms. The improvised performance soon drew a crowd of fans, who clapped and cheered as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Those seeking more solitude than Fidjrossè's scene can provide need only continue up the coast Road of Slaves to find more secluded enclaves. Mr Eazi discovered the perfect peaceful escape at Plage de Jouv, a stunning crescent-shaped beach framed by swaying palms. Mostly frequented by local families and fishermen, Jouv offers crystalline waters and sugar-fine sand without the crowds.
After cooling off with a swim, Mr Eazi ordered a pile of garri and chilled coconut water from a wandering beach vendor. As he dug his toes into the sand, a group of local kids challenged him to a pickup soccer match. Though clearly outmatched by their deft footwork, he laughed and played along, happy to bask in the laidback rhythms of beach life.
No visit to Cotonou's shores is complete without sampling the bounty of the Atlantic. At concentré, thatched-roof beachside eateries, Mr Eazi feasted on platters heaped with grilled barracuda, red snapper, and shrimp fresh from the sea. Locals taught him how to properly devour brisé, cracking the spiny lobster's jagged shell to dip the sweet flesh in spicy garlic sauce.
Further north, PLM Alédjo Beach offers another picturesque seaside escape, this time on Cotonou's wilder side. Backed by Alédjo Nature Reserve's dense palms and mangroves, its windswept sands feel far removed from the capital's bustle. The rougher surf draws local boarders along with nesting sea turtles. For water sport lovers like Mr Eazi, you can rent kayaks and windsurfing boards right on the beach.
Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Coastal Capital Cotonou with Afrobeats Star Mr Eazi - Experiencing the Pulsing Energy of an Afrobeats Concert
After connecting with Cotonou's musical roots, Mr Eazi was eager to experience the city's famous live music scene firsthand. His chance came when Nigerian Afrobeats star Wizkid announced he would be performing in Cotonou as part of his Made in Lagos tour. For Mr Eazi, it was the perfect opportunity to feel the rhythmic energy of a concert in the so-called "Houston of West Africa."
Arriving at Stade de l'Amitié, Cotonou's main outdoor stadium, Mr Eazi was struck by the sheer diversity of the 15,000 strong crowd. Fans had travelled from across West Africa to attend, many proudly waving the flags of their home countries. Police did security checks at the entrance, then the throng streamed into the venue, the air electric with anticipation.
As darkness fell, Wizkid exploded onto the stage in a blizzard of fireworks. Backed by a 10-piece band, he launched into his smash hit "Ojuelegba," and the stadium erupted. Fans screamed and sang along at the top of their lungs as Wizkid bounded across the stage, his energy infectious. Dancers gyrated their hips to the driving beat while the band seamlessly switched between styles - highlife, reggae, hip-hop - always anchored by the pulsing Afrobeats rhythm.
The non-stop hit parade kept the hysterical crowd on their feet for over two hours. During slower numbers, thousands of lighters and cell phones swayed in unison like fireflies. On upbeat songs like "Don't Dull," the surging audience created mosh pits that rippled and collided like waves on Cotonou's beaches.
Backstage after the show, Mr Eazi congratulated a sweat-soaked Wizkid. "Bro, that energy was crazy! 15,000 people going mad singing every lyric!" Wizkid smiled and said the Cotonou crowds were his favorite: "Their energy fuels me, inspires me to put on an epic show. Just wait 'til my next Made in Lagos stop - it's gonna be even wilder!"
Experiencing the communal joy and catharsis of the concert, Mr Eazi gained new insight into Cotonou's musical heartbeat. Unlike listening to a record, the live show allowed fans to connect and immerse themselves in the music. For many, it became a religious experience, the soaring vocals and driving rhythms like an invocation.
Seeing his own songs like "Cotonou" come alive in front of a rapturous Beninese audience, Mr Eazi realized the true power of music. Its hypnotic rhythms and communal energy can possess artist and audience alike. As he swayed along, chanting each lyric in harmony with thousands of ecstatic fans, Mr Eazi felt the mystical power of performance.
Musicians have flocked to Cotonou for decades, drawn by an audience that actively participates in each live show. Far from passive listeners, Beninese fans are active participants in a musical give-and-take that pushes artists to new creative heights. By experiencing this firsthand, Mr Eazi gained insight into the cyclical flow between performer and crowd that makes Cotonou such a thrill to play.