Mr Eazi
Biography
Mr Eazi, born Oluwatobi Michael Eazi in 1991 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is a Nigerian singer and entrepreneur who pioneered the sound he calls Banku Music — a fusion of Nigerian highlife rhythms with Ghanaian music influences, particularly Azonto and Afrobeats, reflecting his formative years studying in Ghana. He began releasing music while studying mechanical engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, and his early recordings found audiences across both Nigeria and Ghana. His breakthrough came with the 2015 single Skin Tight featuring GuiltyBeatz, which became a massive viral hit and introduced Banku Music to a wide audience. He followed with Properties (2017) and Life is Eazi Vol. 1 — Accra to Lagos (2017), cementing his reputation as an innovator bridging two of West Africa's most vibrant music capitals. His 2018 debut studio album Lagos to London continued his exploration of cross-cultural musical fusion. He signed a distribution deal with Universal Music Group and has released music that has charted internationally. Mr Eazi founded the Empawa Africa initiative in 2018, a talent incubator and grant programme designed to support and develop emerging African music artists, demonstrating a commitment to industry building that extends beyond his personal career. He has collaborated with J. Cole, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and international artists. He was named Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 and has been recognised for his business acumen as much as his artistry. His work bridging Nigerian and Ghanaian musical cultures has made him a powerful symbol of pan-West African creative exchange.
