Mr Eazi: SA is late-to-the-jam when it comes to 'Africa's next biggest artist'

The Nigerian muso's mixtape 'Lagos to London Vol. II' is currently the most streamed album across the continent, writes Tseliso Monaheng

16 December 2018 - 00:00 By Tseliso Monaheng

It's a hot, early December afternoon in Maboneng, the gentrified enclave on the eastern edge of Jozi's CBD. Fox and Main streets are filled with people going up and down, while others take shelter from the heat by seeking out the shade provided by street-side eateries on the fancy, secure Fox.
Adding to the clamour are clashing sounds from busking musicians and open car boots from whose speakers all sorts of music blare. From the sixth floor of one of the many buildings lining Fox, Mr Eazi's Pour me Water is heard.
Eazi's year-old song has been a staple at clubs and hangouts for a few months now. Before, it was another single, Leg Over.
Born Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade in Port Harcourt, the Nigerian musician was in Mzansi doing press runs for his Life is Eazi: Lagos to London Vol. II mixtape.
At 15 songs, it feels short; I let it repeat at least three times in a single sitting.
In typical Mzansi fashion, we've been the last to catch on.
This late-to-the-jam aesthetic has also been afforded other upper-echelon Nigerian artists like Davido and Burna Boy, both of whom have had chart-topping singles with an outsize impact worldwide - apart from Down South, of course.
I blame it on the general under-appreciation people from around these parts have for music and artists of African origin that aren't Salif Keita, Angélique Kidjo or Baaba Maal.
WATCH | The music video for Mr Eazi's track Leg Over..

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