Entertainment
Mr.Eazi releases new single ahead of debut album ‘The Evil Genius’
Mr Eazi shares new music today along with the title for his long-awaited, decade-in-the-making debut solo album. “Advice,” produced by Ghana’s M.O.G. Beatz, is the latest single from the freshly named The Evil Genius, set for release on Oct. 27, 2023.
The 16-track album is now available for pre-order HERE: https://empawaafrica.lnk.to/TheEvilGenius.
Mr Eazi is the latest artiste to be featured in Vevo’s original content series Ctrl., with a stirring, defiant performance of the drill-infused “Advice” out today in support of the track’s release.
The lyrically dense “Advice” namechecks a number of African martyrs including former Democratic Republic of the Congo president Joseph Kabila and Ken Saro-Wiwa, a Nigerian writer and activist whose 1995 hanging inspired domestic and international outrage. “I was coming from a place of having that energy,” Eazi says.
Recorded over a two-year period between Ouidah and Cotonou, Benin; Kigali, Rwanda; Accra and Kokrobite, Ghana; Lagos, Nigeria; London; Los Angeles; and New York City, The Evil Genius features some of Mr Eazi’s most personal work, as he dives deeply into subjects like love, betrayal, loneliness, and family, expressed through three distinctive acts.
In a first-of-its-kind fusion of African music and art, Mr Eazi commissioned visual artists from across the continent to create a unique, physical art piece to represent each of the album’s 16 tracks. For “Advice,” he tapped Nairobi, Kenya-based artist Alphonce Odhiambo, known as Alpha ODH, whose acrylic painting speaks to the track’s defiant lyrics.
Mr Eazi personally handpicked 13 artists, representing eight African countries, inviting them to collaborate in a process he describes as ‘informal and instinctual’.
“Inviting artists to create for the album was from my passion for creativity and expression,” Mr Eazi said.
According to him, “The artworks visually unlock the ideas, emotion, and energy within my music.”
The artworks created for the album will be featured in a multi-sensory exhibition experience, which debuts in Accra, Ghana, from Sept. 13-17, before heading to 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair at Somerset House in London from Oct. 12-15. Additional exhibition announcements in other cities would be revealed soon.
MR EAZI TOUR DATES (w/ ChopLife SoundSystem)
Saturday, September 2 | Washington DC – Karma
Sunday, September 3 | Houston – Rise Roof Top
Sunday, September 24 | Atlanta – Revolt World @ Pangaea Studio
The Christmas festivities were nothing short of fun and excitement, especially for patrons of Dodi World in Akosombo in the Eastern Region.
A major highlight was a memorable voyage aboard the famous MV Dodi Princess II, a 150-capacity pleasure boat, which sailed to the scenic Dodi Island, an 84-hectare natural haven.
Among the patrons was a vibrant social group known as ‘Weekend Day Out’, which brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds and workplaces to interact, share ideas and enjoy memorable leisure experiences.
On December 26, the group joined hundreds of other fun lovers to fill the vessel to capacity for what many described as an experience of a lifetime.
The over five-hour journey from Dodi World through to Dodi Island was electrifying. Patrons enjoyed breath-taking rare views of the island’s rich natural scenery and wildlife before returning onboard for the cruise back to the starting point.
The atmosphere was further enlivened by music from DJs and a live band, complemented by an array of drinks and grilled meals, ensuring both young and old had something to cheer about throughout the voyage.
For members of the Weekend Day Out group, the trip served as a joyful reunion with friends after a year of professional commitments, while also providing an opportunity to plan future adventures in the coming year.
Speaking after the event, one of the patrons, Ms Gloria Yaa Baby, said although she had embarked on the voyage several times, the most recent experience was particularly breathtaking and memorable.
“This one was different, with more people and interactive sessions. It gave me many reasons to return and experience the fun again with the Weekend Day Out group,” she stated.
With another exciting adventure scheduled for March this year, she encouraged Ghanaians to make time out of their busy schedules to relax, unwind and enjoy life.
By Spectator Reporter
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Joshua Kojo Ampah, a member of the Keche group has stated that the attitude of Nigerian audience during the performance of Ghanaian artiste Stonebwoy and Wendy Shay at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) held in Lagos, Nigeria was intentional.
The hiplife artiste shared his sentiments on social media over the cold reception given to the Ghanaian performers.
“They know Stonebwoy’s songs, they know Wendy Shay’s songs, but they will not get up to hail you. They know what they were doing,” he stated.
He added that performances by Stonebwoy and Wendy Shay were top notch but most audience did not want to relate to the song.
“Is there was any rapper in Africa bigger than Sarkodie? Are there any dancehall artistes in Africa bigger than Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy” he quizzed.
He contrasted this with the energetic reception given to Nigerian legend P Square, who performed at the same event.
Joshua blamed this on the Ghanaian attitude towards its own artistes within the Ghanaian music industry itself.
He argued that the lack of respect for local talents in Ghana was responsible for their reception abroad.
“But do you know why we are not respected out there? We do not see ourselves as such. “Until we in Ghana start respecting our own, the people out there will not respect them,” he concluded.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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