Mr. Eazi “The Evil Genius” Album Review

The Evil Genius

Mr Eazi

• Genre: Afrobeats
• Date: 27 Oct, 2023
• Content: explicit
• Region: NGA
• Track(s): 16
• ℗ 2023 emPawa Africa Limited

“The Evil Genius,” the debut album of Nigerian musician Mr. Eazi, is now finally available, published on his own indie label, emPawa Africa.

The release of “The Evil Genius” follows Mr. Eazi’s seven-year tenure as a prominent figure in the Afrobeats community, with a discography boasting over four billion global streams and international collaborations with artists like as Nicki Minaj, J Balvin, Beyoncé, and Bad Bunny.

“The Evil Genius,” a pan-African synthesis of Afrobeats, Afropop, gospel, hip-life, highlife, and folklore, was recorded over the course of the previous two years in Accra, Cotonou, Lagos, London, Los Angeles, and New York.

Album Cover Art

According to Eazi, the new album set off a unique spark for art and murals, and he is tapping into that new energy with the new album cover in which he stands on an elevated platform for one person in front of a red background. From that height he oversees other art forms illustrated below him.

Tracks and Features

The somber “Olúwa Jò” kicks off the album with perspective, as Eazi appreciates God for everything despite how shitty and entitled people have been. In “Advice,” he lets us into some of his personal experiences and how folks who began with a show of love ended up being the same ones that left knives in his back. At this point, he doesn’t need anyone’s advice because the plan is to live and learn. His voice and lyrics work well with the nice production and also embody his emotions.

For “Òrokórò,” he taps the legendary, respected Grammy award-winning singer, Angelique Kidjo. It’s either Mr. Eazi has experienced enough palaver from people for a lifetime or he actually has people actively fighting against his success because three tracks in, he still appears to be hampering on the same subject of bad people and how they’ve been gunning to get him if not for God’s intervention. Hearing Kidjo singing in Yoruba was refreshing, as she closes out the record with a moving, energetic rendition. Big-ups to Kel-P for a solid production as always.

“Jamboree” features Tekno, Nigeria’s Afropop OG, and both singers are on the matter of a babe giving them a bit of a tough time to bag. So, they promise her this and that, Gucci and Prada, and all the fancy things, to try to sway her. Besides Slim Daddy’s smooth rendition and a calm production from Yung Willis, the track doesn’t exactly bang.

“Good Lovin'” features soft backup vocals from Ghana’s beloved Efya. Similar to the previous track, Eazi sings about a loving relationship with his babe and how she craves his care and attention, which makes him feel special in some way. Eazi also shows impressive range and versatility by producing something this nice over a reggae beat.

Whoisakin teams up with Mr. Eazi for “Show Dem,” which automatically reminds you of the rap group, Show Dem Camp. Eazi feels proud of his babe and does not feel shy showing her off, as he nudges her to keep doing her thing no matter who it pains. The featured guest also pulls his weight. This song actually takes you back to Eazi’s earlier singing style when he first popped.

Eazi links with his signee, Joeboy, for “Zuzulakate,” where they celebrate good life and good loving. Eazi expresses gratitude for always receiving the fruits of his all his labor, and Joe echoes similar emotions in his verse. The previously released Kel-P-produced “Exit” with Soweto Gospel Choir, closes the album on a note of immense gratitude.

Album Theme

“The Evil Genius,” which features three unique movements or acts that reflect strong themes of love, betrayal, loneliness, and family, is, according to a statement, Mr. Eazi’s most personal work to date. Mr. Eazi releases himself from the load of stardom and success in the album’s beginning portion. A five-song love-themed section follows, and the album closes with a collection of profoundly moving and spiritual songs that show Eazi in a thankful mood.

Tracklist

NO	TITLE	ARTIST	TIME
1	Olúwa Jọ̀	Mr Eazi	1:18
2	Advice	Mr Eazi	2:45
3	Òròkórò	Mr Eazi & Angelique Kidjo	3:09
4	Chop Time, No Friend	Mr Eazi	2:48
5	Notorious	Mr Eazi	2:28
6	Panadol	Mr Eazi	2:29
7	Jamboree	Mr Eazi & Tekno	2:31
8	Good Lovin’	Mr Eazi & Efya	2:49
9	Lack Of Communication	Mr Eazi	2:17
10	Fefe Ne Fefe	Mr Eazi	2:26
11	Legalize	Mr Eazi	2:26
12	Show Dem	Mr Eazi & Whoisakin	2:33
13	We Dey	Mr Eazi	2:39
14	Zuzulakate	Mr Eazi & Joeboy	2:49
15	Mandela	Mr Eazi	2:40
16	Exit	Mr Eazi & Soweto Gospel Choir	2:56

Production Credits

Andre Vibez, AoD, E Kelly, KDream, Kel-P, KillBeatz, Knucks, Michaël Brun, M.O.G. Beatz, Mr Eazi, Nonso Amadi, Phantom, STIKMATIK, Timmy, Type A, Venna, Wade Oghenejabor & Yung Willis produced the new record.

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