From the streets of Kumasi in Ghana to a sold out performance at the O2 in London's Kentish Town, the rise of Starboy Entertainment’s latest signing, Mr Eazi is both impressive and unprecedented.

In the increasingly competitive Afrobeats landscape, characterised by a dominance of west African acts, the Lagos-born, Ghana-raised, musician would appear to be operating his musical machinery in reverse to the traditional routes manoeuvred by the giants we’re familiar with today.

“The diaspora kind of caught the wave first," Mr Eazi shares. "The normal routes like Nigerian radio stations are only just catching it right now."

His moniker is a direct reflection of his persona and his life philosophy of 'Life is Eazi'.

“I’m truly laid back, I’m just chilled," he confirms. "That’s why Mr Eazi really does connect except sometimes when I’m on stage and I get really hyped up but on a normal day I’m just chilled.”

The 25-year-old, real name Oluwatosin Ajibade, is a resounding declaration of his Nigerian roots, which is levelled out by the husky dual accent he’s adopted as a result of his Ghanaian upbringing.

His cross-cultural experience dispels all notions of any historic rivalry between the two west African nations, but instead forms the basis of a harmonious musical experience he has labelled as 'Banku' music.

“I call it Banku music because I feel like it’s a mixture of different influences. I stayed in Ghana so I’ve lived through Ghanaian culture and there’s my Nigerian roots and then my reggae influences from the kind of music I listen to so in general I see it as world music.”

Shuttling back and forth between Nigerian and Ghana, the politics of his identity appeared to rear its head at the beginning of the year when the young performer was controversially excluded from the annual Vodafone Ghana Music Awards when he was ruled not to be Ghanaian by blood.

“My manager told me he was going to be putting in our songs for nomination and I actually told him there was no need. He put it anyway but all I remember was my mentions [on Twitter] were buzzing. Everyone had picked it up that I wasn’t nominated. I’m appreciative of the support and for me, awards always have their issues. For me the recognition is not in the awards – it’s in the fans.”

The mechanical engineering graduate, who describes himself as a “worldwide citizen", can often be found sporting his trademark woven hat.

He explains: “The hat is worn by Fulani herdsmen, they are nomads and I feel it kind of represents my music which is nomadic.”

Eazi’s background as a promoter and business acumen is evident from his knowledge of the industry and explaining his drive towards Britain’s flourishing diaspora.

Source: Young Voices