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.
Three-time Grammy winners Soweto Gospel Choir (South Africa), Tekno (Nigeria), Efya (Ghana), Whoisakin (Nigeria), Joeboy (Nigeria), and Angelique Kidjo (Benin) are among the guests on the project.
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 are among the producers who contributed.
Mr. Eazi commissioned visual artists from over the continent to create a one-of-a-kind physical artwork to symbolize each of the 16 tracks on the album, marking a first for the merger 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 connection between the continent’s fine art innovators and the rapidly expanding pop music scene in Africa.
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.
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.
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