Ghanaian-Nigerian music star, Mr Eazi, whose sound is heavily influenced by a mix of genres that has allowed him to create a totally different sound, has graced the cover of Guardian Life and has revealed some details for his fans.
He has taken the African music scene by storm, giving us hit after hit, man of the moment, Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, known professionally as Mr Eazi, is the cover star of the latest issue of Guardian Life Magazine.
With mega tunes like Skin Tight, Hollup and Dance for Me, Mr Eazi who is taking over at an incredible pace with one unforgettable jam after another, has talked about his background, motivation, aspirations and the principles that have stuck and gotten him this far in the cover feature for the publication.
Below are excerpts from the chat;
On his experience so far and how it all started:
The thing is that I went to school to study Mechanical Engineering because I thought that was the only way of making money. When I get into school, I found out that the students there loved luxury, so I used my school fees at the time which was $5,999 to buy a car that was used like an Uber. The taste of that entrepreneurship sparked something in me and I decided that I didn’t want to be an engineer, I wanted to own my thing and control my own flow. I created Swagger Entertainment in Ghana which pioneered the party culture in Kumasi, Ghana and all of this was done in my 2nd year. I did that till my final year and that gave me a strong relationship with top acts in Ghana and Nigeria. That took me from Mechanical Engineering to events, which took me to the studio and I started recording in my final year. I worked with Schlumberger in Nigeria when I graduated. I was good at it, but it was not for me and I felt like I could do something bigger.
On his genre being referred to as Banku Music
Banku music is actually World music that is African based. For instance, you want to upload a song on iTunes, you click on Afrobeats but there is no Afrobeats, however you have World music which is generally used to categorize music that does not fall into any category or a music genre that is not big enough to acknowledge. In my case, my influences are from everywhere; RnB, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Afro Pop. It is a mixture of different influences that combine as world music that everybody no matter the race can relate to. I call it Banku because Banku (the meal) is a mixture of different ingredients, just like my music. And anytime that I eat Banku, I become sleepy and relaxed and, coincidentally, I recorded most of my tracks after eating Banku and you can feel the lazy chilled delivery with most of my songs.
On major inspiration in life
It has just been about following my dreams. For me, I always say, once I dream it, I live it. I feel like there is just one life to live so why restrain yourself? If God gives you the opportunity to be multiple things then go for it; there is no loss at the end of the day. When you die, you won’t go with anything, everything is vanity and the only thing that really counts are the experiences which includes your relationships with people, and traveling to places. These are the tangible things and they have weight. For me it has been enjoying life and following my dreams and of course God has been blessing everything I do.
On his nationality and where he calls home between Ghana and Nigeria
Right now, I am just a roaming ambassador. I haven’t even been to Ghana in a while. I thought London was my home two weeks ago, then I thought Houston was my home and now I think Lagos is my home. For me, I feel there is no home. You see the Fulani cap I carry, mostly worn by herdsmen, it signifies that I am a Kubolor; I just move like an African gypsy. There is no home, we just move as the pastures direct us.
On how being in Star Boy has helped his music career
I feel like it is chemistry and in chemistry you have a chemical reaction. So, say you set up a chemical reaction, with or without a catalyst it is going to happen. The results are there, but when you have a catalyst, its speeds it up. I feel like Star Boy this year has been that catalyst.
Advice to young people
Follow your heart. The fact is that anything you want to do, be it positive or negative, if you set your mind to do it and ginger towards it, it will happen. So, just focus on the positive. I mean, Hitler did all that he did with just willpower and that shows you what willpower can do. So don’t stop.
Creative Team
Photography: Niyi Okeowo
Stylist: Henry Uduku
Outfits: Orange Hooded Jacket – Maxivive
Rest of the clothes – Stylists Own
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