For Nigerian Afropop artist Mr. Eazi (Oluwatosin Ajibade), the next wave of African music has arrived. He knows he has a role to play front and center in his own artistry, as well as behind the scenes — developing the sounds of new artists across the continent.
The presently Accra-based Nigerian creator of Banku music — which he humorously defines as the sort of music one is surprised they’re able to dance to after eating the Ghanaian dish Banku — has a new EP,
which fans will find markedly different from his prior projects. If what distinguishes Mr. Eazi’s contribution to the Afropop canon is an emotional but firm, smooth but lingering melodic impression, in the new five-track offering, the base is louder, the tone, more forceful, and Mr. Eazi isn’t occupying any specific space.