Elevating African Art: The Afrobeats Star Making Waves Across the Globe

The painting in the lobby of a Benin hotel last year had a profound impact on Afrobeats star Mr Eazi, altering his perception of art. During a Zoom interview with CNN, the 32-year-old Nigerian musician recounted his experience of coming across a piece by Benin-based artist Patricorel. The painting depicted two skeletons sitting on a bench, and its depiction of love and the concept of "til death do us part" resonated deeply with Mr Eazi. This encounter sparked within him a newfound desire to go beyond just music and create a multi-sensory experience for his upcoming album.

The highly anticipated album "The Evil Genius" (available on October 27) features 16 tracks, each accompanied by a specially commissioned piece of art. These incredible works will also be showcased in international galleries, including Accra, Lagos, London (as part of the "listening experience" at the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair from October 12-15), and New York.

"Legalize" by Benin-based artist Patricorel.

Courtesy the artist

Fusing influences is Mr Eazi's signature, as he is recognized as the originator of Banku Music, which combines Ghanaian and Nigerian sounds and culture. "The Evil Genius" is a pan-African project, created over two years and recorded in various countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Rwanda, the US, and the UK. The artwork is also diverse, featuring contributions from 13 visual artists spanning from Zimbabwe and South Africa to Benin, Togo, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, and Kenya.

According to Mr Eazi, "The Evil Genius" is his most personal album to date. In it, he delves into themes such as success, fear, family, religion, and relationships, while also addressing the challenges he faces in reconciling other people's perceptions of him.

Afro-Cuban artist revolutionizes Renaissance art by placing Black individuals at the forefront.

"Rather than focusing on my internal perception of myself, I became fixated on how others perceive me," he explained. "This became suffocating, like being trapped in a prison. I couldn't continue living that way." Transforming this pressure into self-reflection, the album serves as a personal journey of self-discovery in the present moment. It also serves as a reintroduction to this influential vocalist, who has previously collaborated with renowned artists like Beyoncé and Reggaeton star J Balvin throughout the past ten years.

Tammy Sinclair's string art piece for the album's opening track "OLÚWA JỌ̀," took nearly a month to create.

The artist's courtesy

The project is set in motion with the opening track of the album, titled "OLÚWA JỌ̀." This song establishes the project's aesthetic and sonic tone, commencing with a heartfelt prayer and accompanied by a captivating visual created by talented Ghanaian artist, Tammy Sinclair.

"I have been blessed with so much, but I also have fears," Eazi expressed when discussing his music. "That song is the first time I openly convey my fear of losing everything. In the chorus (which is in Yoruba, one of Nigeria's main languages), I ask God to uplift me and prevent me from falling."

Sinclair's artwork beautifully captures this feeling of surrender to the divine. The embroidered portrait portrays a man with his head lifted towards the sky, surrounded by rays of light emanating from within him, while cherubs observe in the background. Using the technique of "string art," the image is formed by intertwining yarn and thread, and it took a month to complete.

Kenyan artist Alpha ODG's 2023 work "Advice" was created after listening to the single on repeat for a week.

Sinclair disclosed in an interview with CNN that they repeatedly listened to the song for a few days. "I derived inspiration from the artist's emotions, lyrics, and a vivid image suddenly appeared in my mind. My intention was to elicit feelings of hope, honesty, and fear."

In a different vein, Tesprit, an artist from Togo, used primarily discarded flip flop soles, collected from landfills in the capital city of Lomé, to craft a three-dimensional sculpture named "Mandela." This artwork portrays a young son seated on his father's lap. Additionally, a Nigerian artist specializing in upcycling has been creating exquisite portraits using waste materials.

"I discuss the sacrifices my father has made that have led me to this point," Mr Eazi expressed about "Mandela." "My father prayed for me, fought battles on my behalf to ensure I stayed out of trouble..."

The song lyrics served as inspiration for Tesprit to craft his own personal portrayal of fatherhood. "I was deeply moved by Mr Eazi's narrative and his bond with his father," he shared with CNN. "My artwork signifies protection... The inclusion of a cross in the artwork represents faith, aspirations, and a yearning for a improved life."

Tesprit worked with the soles of flip flops salvaged from landfill to create a 3D sculpture depicting fatherhood to complement Mr Eazi's song 'Mandela."

Curtesy of the artist, Mr Eazi finds piecing together his project exhilarating. He discovers artists through personal relationships, social media, and art fairs in cities like Cape Town, South Africa. However, Mr Eazi admits that he is still trying to understand the art world. He explains that he used to appreciate art without any boundaries, allowing it to communicate with him. Now, he aims to bridge the gap between his world and the art world, introducing art to people who, like him, previously believed it was only for the wealthy. Mr Eazi wants to break down barriers to art consumption.

With the growing global recognition of African creativity, fueled by the success of genres like African pop, R&B, Afrobeats, and amapiano, African artists now have a unique opportunity to shape their own image.

According to Mr Eazi, the beauty of art lies in its ability to unveil people without any preconceived notions, exerting a subtle influence. Art provides a platform for self-definition, free from judgment. Moreover, it leads to repositioning and boldness, accompanied by economic freedom. Many individuals are lifting themselves out of poverty through their own hands and creative pursuits.

Elangwe Sesse's piece titled "The Way I See It."

The artist's courtesy allows for endless possibilities of collaborations across different mediums to greatly expand their reach and impact. "It's like an ecosystem," Mr Eazi explains. "African music should be intertwined with African film and African art... That's culture, that's the wave. It's about boldly and authentically showcasing African identity and pride, and that's what energizes me about this collaboration."

Mr Eazi's album, "The Evil Genius," is set to release on 27th October. The artistic and musical event will be showcased at the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2023, taking place from 12th to 15th October at Somerset House in London.