S01E07 Mr Eazi
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Mr Eazi is equal parts mogul and creative. With a firm grasp on business and a deep love for African culture, the maverick musician believes in empowering the continent’s artists to hone and own their talent. In this conversation with Lee, The Africa Whisperer, he shares his enterprising
vision to create equity for one of Africa’s biggest exports.
Quote phrase
“Music is changing the narrative so if there’s ever a time to be proud to be African, it’s now.” — Mr Eazi
Guest information
Charting new paths comes naturally to Mr Eazi. His independent musical debut ushered in a distinct sound he christened “Banku music", an eclectic fusion of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian progressions. As his art evolved, so did his understanding of the music business in and beyond Africa. He saw the potential to create an ecosystem that allowed African artists to participate in globalising their talent.
In 2018, Mr Eazi launched emPawa Africa to support promising African artists with funding and mentorship to grow their musical careers. It allowed him to lay a blueprint for African music entrepreneurship while paying forward the generosity others had shown him as a young musician.
“True globalisation should include equity participation from everybody,” he explains. “emPawa’s role is to see African-owned companies exporting African art while keeping the equity of the African artist.” This is the conviction behind his Africa Music Fund, initiated in 2020 to invest in
placing African musicians at the centre of owning and profiting from their craft.
Whether on stage in Kampala or at Coachella, the unmistakable sound of Mr Eazi’s music makes the same strong impression as his acumen for shaping a new commercial standard for African music. His sincere love for the continent’s creative industry and the intentionality he commits to showcasing its diversity are both endearing and insightful. As the world falls deeper in love with African music, Mr Eazi is a fine study of how artists can share in that success without missing a beat.
Social media handles
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/officialMREAZI/?_rdc=1&_rdr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mreazi/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mreazi
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mreazi
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/mreaziofficial/videos
vision to create equity for one of Africa’s biggest exports.
Quote phrase
“Music is changing the narrative so if there’s ever a time to be proud to be African, it’s now.” — Mr Eazi
Guest information
Charting new paths comes naturally to Mr Eazi. His independent musical debut ushered in a distinct sound he christened “Banku music", an eclectic fusion of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian progressions. As his art evolved, so did his understanding of the music business in and beyond Africa. He saw the potential to create an ecosystem that allowed African artists to participate in globalising their talent.
In 2018, Mr Eazi launched emPawa Africa to support promising African artists with funding and mentorship to grow their musical careers. It allowed him to lay a blueprint for African music entrepreneurship while paying forward the generosity others had shown him as a young musician.
“True globalisation should include equity participation from everybody,” he explains. “emPawa’s role is to see African-owned companies exporting African art while keeping the equity of the African artist.” This is the conviction behind his Africa Music Fund, initiated in 2020 to invest in
placing African musicians at the centre of owning and profiting from their craft.
Whether on stage in Kampala or at Coachella, the unmistakable sound of Mr Eazi’s music makes the same strong impression as his acumen for shaping a new commercial standard for African music. His sincere love for the continent’s creative industry and the intentionality he commits to showcasing its diversity are both endearing and insightful. As the world falls deeper in love with African music, Mr Eazi is a fine study of how artists can share in that success without missing a beat.
Social media handles
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/officialMREAZI/?_rdc=1&_rdr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mreazi/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mreazi
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mreazi
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/mreaziofficial/videos
