Mr. Eazi Drops New Album ‘The Evil Genius’, Featuring Joeboy, Tekno, Angelique Kidjo 

The eagerly anticipated debut album of Afropop superstar Mr. Eazi, The Evil Genius, is now available through the artist’s own emPawa Africa label.

The Evil Genius is a recording of Mr. Eazi’s most intimate work, recorded in three distinct acts between Ouidah and Cotonou, Benin; Kigali, Rwanda; Accra and Kokrobite, Ghana; Lagos, Nigeria; London, Los Angeles, and New York City. Mr. Eazi explores themes of love, betrayal, loneliness, and family.

Guest features on the project come from Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Tekno (Nigeria), Efya (Ghana), Whoisakin (Nigeria), Joeboy (Nigeria), and three-time Grammy winners Soweto Gospel Choir (South Africa).

Contributing producers include Kel-P (Nigeria), Knucks (U.K.), Michael Brun (Haiti), Andre Vibez (Nigeria), Yung Willis (Nigeria), Nonso Amadi (Nigeria/Canada), KillBeatz (Ghana), M.O.G. Beatz (Ghana), E Kelly (Nigeria), Type A (Nigeria), Stikmatik (U.K.), Phantom (Nigeria), Beat Butcha (U.K.), Venna (U.K.), KDream (Nigeria), and Mr. Eazi himself.

Mr. Eazi commissioned visual artists from throughout the continent to create a one-of-a-kind physical artwork to represent each of the 16 tracks on the album, marking a first for the fusion of African music and art.

Mr. Eazi developed friendships with visual artists whose work he came across while touring Africa to record the album.

Adding art curator and patron to his already long list of endeavors, Mr. Eazi personally handpicked 13 artists, representing eight African countries, after observing a dearth of meaningful collaboration between the continent’s fine art creators and the rapidly expanding pop music scene in Africa.

As part of the rollout, Mr. Eazi has been inviting people to participate in multi-sensory exhibition listening experiences where they can experience the music alongside the art.

The first two of these events will be held at Gallery 1957 in Accra, Ghana, and Somerset House in London, UK, from October 12 to October 15, during the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair.

Mr. Eazi worked with renowned Nigerian stylist, designer, and photographer Daniel Obasi—known for his work with Louis Vuitton and Beyoncé—to create the album’s cover art.