We cannot believe that Mr Eazi hasn’t released a debut album yet, the pioneering Banku music star who has been on top form for many years, earning a Latin Grammy, still hasn’t released a debut album – luckily, it’s finally on its way, set to be dropped later this year, with his addicting luscious new single, “Chop Time, No Friend”, serving as the lead single from his forthcoming album. This is the second taste of the album after the release of last year’s popular single, “Legalize”. The release of this new single acts as the follow-up to his collaborative mixtape as part of ChopLife SoundSystem, titled “Chop Life, Vol. 1: Mzansi Chronicles“.
Mr Eazi, real name is Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record executive, widely recognised as one of the biggest afrobeats stars in the world. He is the pioneer of Banku music, a genre that fuses Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions, creating a distinct and captivating sound. Rising to international fame with hits like “Skin Tight” and “Leg Over”, Mr Eazi’s music has garnered over 4 billion streams, solidifying him as one of the most streamed African artists globally. Beyond his musical success, he is a visionary entrepreneur, founding emPawa Africa to support and elevate African artists, including breakthrough stars like Joeboy and Major League DJz. Recognized by CNN, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and Forbes for his groundbreaking contributions to expanding African music’s global reach, Mr Eazi’s influence continues to transcend borders. He made history as the first Nigerian artist to win a Latin Grammy for his feature on J Balvin & Bad Bunny’s single ‘COMO UN BEBÉ,’ which has amassed over 201.9 million streams on Spotify, making it his most-popular track on the platform. Additionally, his collaboration with M.O and Lotto Boyzz, titled ‘Bad Vibe’, has garnered a massive 108.6 million streams, securing his position as an unstoppable force in the music industry. He has charted worldwide and is probably best known in the UK for his feature on Raye’s single ‘Decline’ which charted on the UK Official Singles Chart at number 15. Mr Eazi’s journey from college musician to musical innovator, business leader, and philanthropist remains a testament to his resilience and unwavering commitment to uplifting African talent and showcasing the beauty of Banku music to the world.
Talking about the release of this track, Mr Eazi said: “The phrase ‘Chop Time, No Friend’ is a very common Ghanaian saying, something you will see written on the front or side of buses, just like the popular saying, ‘God is Great’. It means when you are eating, you don’t think about anybody, you are just focused on your enjoyment – this song is touching on how people chit-chat on me, but I am still focused on my enjoyment. It is a declaration, a celebration of self. I am saying everything I touch turns to gold, and you can’t trouble me.”
Watch the official music video to “Chop Time, No Friend” by Mr Eazi here:
Written by Alexander Uwaifo, Joseph Addison, and Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, whilst it has been produced by Andre Vibez and KillBeatz, “Chop Time, No Friend” is a rhythmic Banku vibe track that really brings the focus back for Mr Eazi and his signature sound. Connecting the saying of the title, which suggests that food is a focus when eating not anyone else, Mr Eazi transforms it into his enjoyment of music, ignoring all the haters and not letting them get to him. His interpretation of this common Ghanaian saying into a globally-related self-empowerment track literally says it all when it comes to Mr Eazi’s incredible artistry. While the lyrics can be something listeners can connect to, Mr Eazi continues to impress with his passionate vocals and clear love for the music he is creating. The gorgeous melodies add emphasis to his voice, sending out a chilled vibe to every listener, while superb horn sections stun us throughout and those incredible keyboard arrangements add to the positive feel of the song. The ending is extremely chilled, allowing emphasis on the luscious horn segments allowing Mr Eazi to make his signature stamp on the music industry – let’s be honest, if this lead single is anything to go by, his debut album is going to be beyond awesome.
As for the music video, directed and executively produced by Allison Swank Owen, we watch a performance visual of Mr Eazi in a variety of stunning locations, showcasing his stage presence and his love of his music. The visual was shot in Senegal with iconic and beautiful scenes displayed with the video also showcasing art and culture throughout. Obviously, the video had to include a lot of food due to the title, and it sure did that with a variety of amazing dishes displayed, a huge feast shown, and a lot of cooking going on – food really does bring people together, and you can see the love throughout. Mr Eazi exudes star presence from the get-go but in a chilled and relaxed way, making this the perfect visual to showcase his upcoming debut album.
Stream the newly-released track on Spotify here:
“Chop Time, No Friend”, by Mr Eazi, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via emPawa Africa Limited. Mr Eazi’s forthcoming debut studio album is expected to be released on October 27, 2023.