Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Musical Landscape with Nigerian Hitmaker Mr Eazi

Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Musical Landscape with Nigerian Hitmaker Mr Eazi - Crossing Borders Through Beats

Music has a magical way of bringing people together across cultures. This universal power of music to connect humanity is embodied by Nigerian artist Mr Eazi, who fuses sounds from all over West Africa to share the rhythms of his homeland with listeners across the globe.

Born Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Mr Eazi got his start performing at local shows in Ghana. He began mixing Ghanaian “highlife” sounds with Nigerian influences like Afrobeats and hip-hop to create his own unique musical fusion. This innovative cross-pollination of different African music genres allowed Mr Eazi to resonate with broad audiences not just in Nigeria or Ghana, but all over the continent and eventually the world.

According to Mr Eazi, “Africa is a continent with over 50 countries, and in each country there are different languages, cultures, and influences.” By incorporating diverse musical styles from countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Gambia, Mr Eazi aims to showcase Africa’s cultural plurality. His eclectic beats act as a cohesive force, interweaving the thread of African heritage that runs through the continent’s many unique tapestries.

This intermingling of influences reflects Mr Eazi’s own upbringing and education abroad. He credits his global perspective to his time studying in Ghana, which opened his ears to new musical landscapes. “I got to experience a different culture, lifestyle, and music there. Those experiences shaped my sound,” he explains.

Indeed, Mr Eazi sees music as a vehicle for exchange. While borders may divide land, music has no frontiers. Through sampling, collaboration, and live performance, Mr Eazi transports African beats from their birthplaces to the ears and dance floors of listeners far and wide. His performances around the globe act as cultural emissaries, allowing diverse crowds to appreciate the pulsing rhythms of West African life.

Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Musical Landscape with Nigerian Hitmaker Mr Eazi - Rhythm of the Streets

The pulsing beats of Africa reverberate in crowded streets, flowing with the ebb and tide of daily life. Marketplaces throb with the percussive patter of bartering customers. Buses rumble down dusty roads, engines churning out makeshift 4/4 time signatures. Even footsteps pads out contagious polyrhythms, keeping pace to an unheard melody. The very heartbeat of African cities pumps to the rhythm of the streets.

Mr Eazi channels this kinetic communal energy into his music. “I take inspiration from the things I see and the people I meet on the streets every day,” he says. “The rhythm of markets, the rhythm of traffic, the rhythm of people hustling to make a living - it all comes out in my beats.”

By mimicking the natural rhythms of daily urban life in Africa, Mr Eazi’s productions evoke the dynamism of the continent’s cosmopolitan capitals. The lyrical ebb and flow of call-and-response African percussion sets a foundation, while syncopated highlife guitar plucks out melodies as smooth and bustling as afternoon crowds. Rapid-fire hi-hats capture the restlessness of crowded streets. Thumping bass lines emulate the heartbeat of the city, guiding dancers’ feet.

This knack for transforming urban rhythms into music has precedent across the continent. Fela Kuti revolutionized Afrobeat by fusing Nigerian highlife and American jazz and funk with the frenetic tempo of Lagos city streets. Congolese soukous often features fast-paced guitar riffs and driving dance rhythms inspired by the vibrant energy of Kinshasa. Mr Eazi is continuing this legacy, bottling the rhythm of African city streets and sharing it with listeners across the world.

By channeling the candid cadence of African metropolises into his productions, Mr Eazi also subverts stereotypes of the continent as rural and disconnected. “The Africa I know is hustling, tech-savvy youth in cities working hard and having fun,” Mr Eazi says. “When people in Europe or America hear my music, I want them to hear the real Africa—the one that is modern, diverse, and constantly moving.”

Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Musical Landscape with Nigerian Hitmaker Mr Eazi - Hip Hop Hustle

Mr Eazi’s career is a testament to hustling one’s way to success. He got his start performing shows at local universities to scrape together cash in order to record his first tracks. “I’d use the money from concerts to pay for studio time,” he recalls. “I was recording, hustling for shows, and just trying to make it all work.” This relentless drive echoes the entrepreneurial spirit of hip hop – a genre born from go-getters determined to climb out of hardship.

Hip hop pioneers like DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa exemplified hip hop hustle, cobbling together equipment from spare parts and throwing parties in city parks. Aspiring MCs, DJs and dancers honed their craft through street performances. When record labels refused to sign hip hop acts, hustlers like Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin bootstrapped their own rap music business empires.

This hustling mentality remains encoded into hip hop culture today. Chart-topping rappers often reference their come-up selling mixtapes or their former side-hustles. Hip hop hustle is about that determination to make something of yourself despite the odds stacked against you.

Mr Eazi sees this same tenacity and entrepreneurship thriving across Africa’s youth culture today. “The hustle I learned from hip hop is the same hustle I see in African cities, where young people grind everyday to survive and get ahead,” he explains.

This hustle drives not just business, but music and entertainment too. Aspiring artists sell their beats and tapes on busy streets. Dancers practice routines on sidewalks hoping to be discovered. Local nightclubs and shows provide platforms for emerging talents to gain exposure.

“I was doing everything by myself – managing myself, booking my own shows, promoting them, negotiating fees,” he recalls. “I wasn’t waiting for any record label to do it for me.”

Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Musical Landscape with Nigerian Hitmaker Mr Eazi - Highlife and Afrobeats

Highlife and Afrobeats represent two pivotal genres in the evolution of contemporary West African music. Highlife originated in Ghana in the early 20th century, blending traditional African rhythms with Western instruments like guitars and horns. It became popular across Anglophone West Africa, acting as an early independent musical voice for the region.

Afrobeats then emerged at the turn of the 21st century as a fusion genre combining highlife, hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and African rhythms like juju music. Pioneers like Fela Kuti pioneered the Afrobeats sound which would eventually achieve global acclaim.

As a Nigerian native, Mr Eazi sees his music as continuing the lineage of both highlife and Afrobeats. He incorporates both genres into his productions, while also adding his own innovative spin. According to Mr Eazi, “Highlife is big inspiration for me because it was the pop music for West Africa in the 70s and 80s before hip-hop arrived. It has a laidback feel that people enjoy.”

The melodic guitar plucking and horns of highlife can be heard prominently across many of Mr Eazi’s hits. But he also folds in contemporary sounds like hip-hop's heavy bass and synthesizers. This fresh blend adds a modern sheen to the retro grooves of highlife.

At the same time, Mr Eazi stays true to Afrobeats' legacy of fusing diverse influences into something new and quintessentially African. He sees Afrobeats as a constantly evolving genre: "To me, Afrobeats is a movement for the culture of Africa - the new pop music from Africa incorporating all kinds of different sounds."

By honoring both highlife's heritage and Afrobeats' innovation in his music, Mr Eazi bridges past and present. His tracks pay homage to the genres that paved the way for African pop's emergence, while still capturing the youthful exuberance of 21st century urban life. As he repeats musical motifs from across the decades, Mr Eazi creates a pan-African soundscape that resonates with listeners both on the continent and across the diaspora.

Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Musical Landscape with Nigerian Hitmaker Mr Eazi - Sound of the People

Music gives voice to the spirit of a people. Across eras and borders, songs tell stories that speak to our shared humanity. This rings true across Africa, where music has long been a conduit for expressing cultural identity. From highlife dance bands to Afrobeat anthems, music has broadcast the sounds of the people to local communities and eventually the world.

Mr Eazi sees his pan-African approach to music as amplifying the diverse voices of African people. According to him, “Africa has over 3000 tribes and languages. Music allows us to communicate our cultures through rhythm and dance.” By incorporating influences from all over the continent into his upbeat productions, he provides a platform for marginalized communities to be heard.

This manifests through Mr Eazi’s innovative approach to language. While English and Pidgin are the official languages of Nigerian pop, he also spotlights other native languages in his lyrics. His hit song “Skin Tight” off his debut EP features a verse rapped in the Ghanaian language Twi. In “Love,” he slips between English and Yoruba, a native Nigerian tongue. “I want my music to showcase the beauty of our languages,” he explains.

Mr Eazi also elevates African voices by featuring homegrown talent. His recordings and concerts spotlight promising young artists, from Nigerian songstress Temi Ovwasa to acclaimed Ghanian rapper RJZ. He has collaborated with fellow Nigerian musicians like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Banky W, helping launch their careers to global heights.

Even when working with major U.S. artists like Ty Dolla $ign, Mr Eazi integrates African talent. His 2018 smash hit “Akwaaba” brought together musicians from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya over a higlife-inspired beat. By reflecting the diversity of the continent, Mr Eazi generates new opportunities for African performers.

Most importantly, Mr Eazi transmits the spirit of African people through the joy woven into his music. “Africa is a happy place,” he proclaims. “When people hear my music, I want them to feel that happiness.” Even when addressing societal issues, his tracks exude positivity and hope for the future.

Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Musical Landscape with Nigerian Hitmaker Mr Eazi - Unity in Diversity

Mr Eazi’s borderless musical approach promotes unity in diversity – a fitting ethos for contemporary Africa. His productions intertwine elements from all over the continent to forge a cohesive sound that still honors each country’s unique heritage. According to Mr Eazi, “I take inspiration from wherever I go and whatever I hear across Africa. By blending everything together, it shows how we’re all connected.”

This philosophy traces back to the pioneering Afrobeat work of Fela Kuti. Kuti vocally condemned Nigeria’s corrupt political elite who exploited ethnic and religious differences to divide-and-conquer the masses. His recordings became massively popular by promoting humanist values that resonated across Nigerian society, regardless of tribal affiliations. According to Kuti, “Music cannot be separated from the social, political, and cultural environment of its creator.”

Legends like King Sunny Adé furthered this mission of spotlighting Africa’s diversity through unifying music. His juju recordings incorporated talking drums, pedal steel guitars, and multi-part vocal harmonies from various Yoruba subgroups. The hybrid sound allowed Nigeria’s array of cultural traditions to converse in a common musical language.

Today, artists like Mr Eazi carry this torch by showcasing Africa’s cultural plurality. His recordings demonstrate how diverse influences can be woven together to form a vibrant musical tapestry. When discussing his hit “Skin Tight,” Mr Eazi explained, “I sang in English, then rapped in Twi. That merger showed it doesn’t matter if you’re from Nigeria or Ghana – we’re all one Africa.”

This resonated with fans across West Africa and the diaspora. By seamlessly integrating different dialects, instruments, and rhythms from all over the region into catchy pop beats, Mr Eazi spotlights Africa’s richness of culture. Music transcends artificial divides, acting as a unifying force. This belief in African unity through musical diversity propels Mr Eazi as he headlines concerts from Lagos to London.

Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Musical Landscape with Nigerian Hitmaker Mr Eazi - Giving Back to the Youth

While his meteoric success has rocketed Mr Eazi to global stardom, he remains committed to empowering the next generation of African talent. The entrepreneurial artist recognizes that investing in youth is the key to ensuring African music continues to thrive and progress. By providing mentorship, resources, and opportunities to budding performers, Mr Eazi fosters artistic development and career growth for youth across the continent.

Mr Eazi notes that when he first started out, “I didn’t have mentors in the music industry guiding me.” Early in his career, he struggled through trial-and-error as a self-made artist. Now as an established Afrobeats pioneer, he feels “a responsibility to pave the way for young artists to achieve their goals.” The musician actively mentors up-and-coming performers both in Nigeria and abroad. For example, he took buzzing Nigerian rapper Zlatan under his wing in 2016, featuring the unsigned artist on his singles “Spotlight” and “Able God.” Following this early career boost from Mr Eazi, Zlatan would go on to become one of Nigeria’s most sought-after hip-hop acts.

In addition to direct mentorship, Mr Eazi also provides tangible resources to the next generation of African talent. In 2017, he launched emPawa Africa, a talent incubator program providing young artists with funding, studio time, and industry growth opportunities. The 10 musicians selected for the first emPawa class collaborated on the viral hit “Akwaaba,” gaining invaluable exposure. Alumni like Ghana’s J Derobie and South Africa’s Focalistic have since risen to stardom with Mr Eazi's guidance. Through emPawa, the hitmaker offers a platform for youth to develop their talents and gain a foothold in the competitive music industry.

Embracing his role as mentor, Mr Eazi dispenses practical advice to upstarts trying to build sustainable music careers. He counsels young artists to retain ownership rights over their work whenever possible, allowing them to fully benefit from their creative capital. The savvy businessman also co-founded emPawa Publishing so artists can collect royalties and retain control of their catalog. By empowering youth with knowledge and access, Mr Eazi helps foster the next generation of self-sufficient African talent.

Beyond directly guiding young acts, Mr Eazi also uses his celebrity influence to advocate for African youth more broadly. He has been vocal about the urgent need for quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities to improve prospects and slow brain drain. The hitmaker emphasizes that investing in the continent’s booming youth population will allow Africa to develop its full potential in the 21st century. Using his platform, Mr Eazi calls on leaders to prioritize youth empowerment so young Africans can shape their nations’ futures.

Lagos to Lomé: Exploring West Africa's Musical Landscape with Nigerian Hitmaker Mr Eazi - Taking the Music Global

Mr Eazi aspires to share the sounds of Africa with listeners across the globe. He sees his music as a cultural export - spreading the joy and community of African life to new audiences worldwide. This dream of connecting with diverse crowds through a universal language propels the borderless quality of his productions.

According to Mr Eazi, “I want my music to show people that Africa is dynamic, modern and full of young people hustling to succeed.” His lyrics often reference global trends like fashion and technology that dispel stereotypical notions of Africa as backward or impoverished. The contemporary beats fused with African highlife and hip-hop influences make foreign listeners feel the pulsing rhythm of African capitals.

Yet while his music is inherently outward-looking, Mr Eazi still keeps hometown fans in mind. He caters songs to local tastes, while folding in just enough foreign elements to offer a glimpse of the continent’s diversity. This balancing act between local and global influences is key to organically exporting African music abroad.

Mr Eazi also seeds interest in African music by targeting cosmopolitan spaces. Early on, he leveraged his experience studying abroad in Ghana by promoting his music directly to university crowds. Campus radio stations, open mics and house parties offered opportunities to organically build student fanbases receptive to new genres.

Later, his performances at international music conferences like SXSW generated buzz within the industry. Backed by co-signs from tastemakers, his digital releases found growing playlists on streaming services frequented by youth worldwide. Even his concert tours are strategically routed through cities with large African diaspora populations.

This patient cultivation of diverse niches from Accra to Toronto allowed Mr Eazi’s fanbase to mushroom internationally. Music sales and streaming data consistently show his growing strength across multiple continents. He also collaborates with major Western artists like Major Lazer, drawing their built-in audiences to African music.

Yet Mr Eazi is careful not to compromise his authentic artistic vision simply to cater to foreign ears. He once turned down a deal requiring him to relocate abroad and alter his music style for Western markets. Protecting creative freedom remains central to organically exporting African music sans gimmicks.