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The Evil Genius (Mr Eazi album)

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The Evil Genius
Studio album by
Mr Eazi
Released27 October 2023
Recorded2021–2023
Studio
GenreAfro pop
Length41:09
LabelemPawa Africa
Producer
Mr Eazi chronology
Something Else
(2021) 		The Evil Genius
(2023)
Singles from The Evil Genius
  1. "Legalize"
    Released: 10 June 2022
  2. "Chop Time, No Friend"
    Released: 18 July 2023
  3. "Advice"
    Released: 1 September 2023
  4. "Fefe Ne Fefe"
    Released: 10 October 2023
  5. "Exit"
    Released: 23 October 2023

The Evil Genius is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer and songwriter Mr Eazi. It was released on 27 October 2023 by emPawa Africa. The album features guest appearances from Tekno, Joeboy, Angélique Kidjo, Efya, Whoisakin and the Soweto Gospel Choir. Mr Eazi enlisted producers such as E Kelly, M.O.G Beatz, Phantom, KillBeatz, Stikmatik, Timmy, Andre Vibez, Yung Willis, Kel-P, Type A, KDaGreat, KDream, Michaël Brun, Nonso Amadi, Knucks, AoD, Wade Oghenejabor, Venna and Mr Eazi himself.[2]

Background and recording

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Mr Eazi revealed the artwork and tracklist for the album on 23 October 2023.[2] The album was recorded internationally, in studios across Ouidah, Cotonou, Kigali, Accra, Kokrobite, Lagos, London, Los Angeles and New York City. [1] The recording process for The Evil Genius began in an unexpected and spontaneous manner. On 16 February 2021, Kel-P casually invited Mr Eazi over to his apartment in Accra for what seemed like a typical hangout. Although initially hesitant, Mr Eazi decided to go, expecting a regular night of video games. But Kel-P had something else in mind. As they chilled, Kel-P started playing an instrumental on loop, and before long, Mr Eazi found himself singing deeply personal lyrics. Recalling the moment with Afrocritik, Mr Eazi said, "I started singing deeply personal stuff that no one had ever heard, and Kel-P said, 'Let’s record,' and we did." This spontaneous session resulted in the creation of the track "Exit," a song brimming with reflection and gratitude. That day marked the start of what would eventually become The Evil Genius.[3]

Singles

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The lead single for The Evil Genius, "Legalize", was released on 10 June 2022 was produced by Michaël Brun, E Kelly, and Nonso Amadi. The music video for "Legalize" was released the same day and was shot by Federico Mazzarisi in Venice and released the same day, with a cameo appearance from the Nigerian actress Temi Otedola.[4] The second single "Chop Time, No Friend" was produced by Andre Vibez and KillBeatz and released on 18 July 2023. The music video for "Chop Time, No Friend" was directed by Allison Swank Owen.[5] Mr Eazi said the meaning of the song is "like saying, 'Be in the moment. Like when you are eating, you are focusing only on your food. You are eating first. It's almost selfish in a way."[6] The album's third single "Advice" was released on 1 September 2023 and was produced by M.O.G Beatz.[7] The fourth single off The Evil Genius, Fefe Ne Fefe, was released on 10 October 2023 and was produced by Kel-P.[8] The fifth and last single "Exit" features the Soweto Gospel Choir and was produced by Kel-P and released on 23 October 2023. The music video was directed by Allison Swank Owen the same day.[2]

Critical reception

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The Evil Genius by Mr Eazi received praise from critics, mainly for its blend of Highlife, Afrobeats, and R&B. The album was lauded by Emmanuel Okoro of Afrocritik, for offering "a raw and true expression of Mr Eazi's ingenuity and sonic brilliance", capturing themes of fame, love, and Pan-Africanism, all while delivering a unique listening experience.[9] Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone described Mr Eazi as a leading figure in Afrobeats, known for expanding the genre's sonic and cultural boundaries. On The Evil Genius, his debut full-length album, Dolan believed that Eazi embodies his role as both a curator and ambassador, delivering an "expansively international" sound that blends Highlife, Afro drill, and more. Despite the album's grand ambitions, Dolan praises Eazi for maintaining his signature "smooth, skittering rhythms" and "warmly insistent singing" without feeling overburdened by big ideas.[10] Adeayo Adebiyi, writing for Pulse Nigeria, described The Evil Genius as an album where Mr Eazi "maintains a mid-tempo approach" while exploring familiar sonic territories, but the album "fails to reach a high point" and feels "sonically repetitive". Despite its coherence, Adebiyi suggested that Eazi needs to evolve his sound, giving the album a rating of 6.9 out of 10, labeling it a "Victory".[11]

Track listing

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The Evil Genius track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Olúwa Jọ̀"
  • E Kelly
  • Stikmatik
  • Timmy
  • Mr Eazi
1:18
2."Advice"
  • Ajibade
  • John Dosunmu-Mensah
M.O.G. Beatz2:45
3."Òròkórò" (featuring Angélique Kidjo)
Kel-P3:09
4."Chop Time, No Friend"
2:48
5."Notorious"
  • Ajibade
  • Alastair O'Donnell
  • Kel-P
  • AoD
  • KDaGreat
2:28
6."Panadol"
  • Ajibade
  • Kelenna Agada
  • Nkansah
Type A2:29
7."Jamboree" (featuring Tekno)
Yung Willis2:31
8."Good Lovin'" (featuring Efya)
  • Ajibade
  • Agada
Type A2:49
9."Lack Of Communication"
  • Kel-P
  • Mr Eazi
2:17
10."Fefe Ne Fefe"
  • Ajibade
  • Nkansah
  • Amba
Kel-P2:26
11."Legalize"
2:26
12."Show Dem" (featuring Whoisakin)
Phantom2:33
13."We Dey"
  • Ajibade
  • Wade Oghenejabor
  • Malik Venner
  • Akin
  • Nwosu
  • Abdulmalik Bawa
  • Ashley Nwachukwu
  • O'Donnell
  • Knucks
  • AoD
  • E Kelly
  • Wade Oghenejabor
  • Venna
2:39
14."Zuzulakate" (featuring Joeboy)
  • Type A
  • E Kelly
2:49
15."Mandela"
  • Ajibade
  • King-David Adeboye
  • Damilola Aminu
KDream2:40
16."Exit" (featuring Soweto Gospel Choir)
  • Ajibade
  • Nkansah
Kel-P2:56
Total length:41:09

Personnel

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Release history

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Release history and formats for The Evil Genius
Region Date Format Label
Various 27 October 2023
emPawa Africa

References

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  1. ^ a b Keith, James (3 November 2023). "Mr Eazi's Debut LP, The Evil Genius, Is an Essential Listen". Complex. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Laketu, Adedayo. "Mr Eazi Unveils 'The Evil Genius' Cover & Tracklist, Releases Single "Exit" featuring Soweto Gospel Choir". OkayAfrica. 23 October 2023.
  3. ^ Okoro, Emmanuel (15 November 2023). "The Ingenuity of Mr Eazi: An Exclusive Interview with a New Era Connoisseur for Art and Talent". Afrocritik. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  4. ^ Bloom, Madison (10 June 2022). "Watch Mr Eazi Propose to His Girlfriend in Video for New Song "Legalize"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  5. ^ Laketu, Adedayo (19 July 2023). "Mr Eazi Announces Debut Album Release and Premieres New Single "Chop Time, No Friend"". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  6. ^ Oliver Love, Michael (18 July 2023). "Mr Eazi Previews Debut Album With New Video 'Chop Time, No Friend'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  7. ^ Mysers Hansen, Gabriel (1 September 2023). "Mr Eazi drops Advice single ahead of Evil Genius album". Music in Africa. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  8. ^ In-house East Africa (17 October 2023). "Mr Eazi unveils Fefe Ne Fefe single". Music in Africa. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  9. ^ Okoro, Emmanuel (9 November 2023). "The Evil Genius Review: Mr Eazi Gets Up Close and Personal On Debut LP". Afrocritik. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  10. ^ Dolan, Jon (26 October 2023). "Mr. Eazi Displays His Pan-African Pride and Global Purpose on 'The Evil Genius'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  11. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (5 November 2023). "Mr. Eazi leans into familiar territory on The Evil Genius". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
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