{{other uses|Evil Genius (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox album | name = The Evil Genius | type = studio | artist = Mr Eazi | cover = Mr Eazi - The Evil Genius.png | alt = | released = 27 October 2023 | recorded = 2021–2023 | studio = {{flatlist| * Ouidah * Cotonou * Kigali * Accra * Kokrobite * Lagos * London * Los Angeles * New York City<ref name="Complex">{{cite web|author=Keith, James|title=Mr Eazi's Debut LP, ''The Evil Genius'', Is an Essential Listen|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/james-keith/mr-eazi-the-evil-genius|website=Complex|accessdate=August 27, 2024|date=November 3, 2023}}</ref>}} | genre = Afro pop | length = 41:09 | label = emPawa Africa | producer = * Knucks * Mr Eazi * Timmy * KDream * E Kelly * Stikmatik * Yung Willis * Andre Vibez * Kel-P * KDa Great * KillBeatz * Michaël Brun * M.O.G Beatz * Phantom * AOD * Venna * Wade Oghenejabor * Nonso Amadi * Type A | prev_title = Something Else | prev_year = 2021 | next_title = Maison Rouge | next_year = 2025 | misc = {{Singles | name = The Evil Genius | type = studio | single1 = Legalize | single1date = 10 June 2022 | single2 = Chop Time, No Friend | single2date = 18 July 2023 | single3 = Advice | single3date = 1 September 2023 | single4 = Fefe Ne Fefe | single4date = 10 October 2023 | single5 = Exit | single5date = 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. Production was handled by 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.<ref name="OkayAfrica">Laketu, Adedayo. [https://www.okayafrica.com/mr-eazi-the-evil-genius/ "Mr Eazi Unveils 'The Evil Genius' Cover & Tracklist, Releases Single "Exit" featuring Soweto Gospel Choir"]. OkayAfrica. 23 October 2023.</ref>
== Background and recording == Mr Eazi revealed the artwork and tracklist for the album on 23 October 2023.<ref name="OkayAfrica"/> The album was recorded internationally, in studios across Ouidah, Cotonou, Kigali, Accra, Kokrobite, Lagos, London, Los Angeles and New York City.<ref name="Complex"/> The recording process for ''The Evil Genius'' began on 16 February 2021 in Accra, when Kel-P invited Mr Eazi to his apartment. Mr Eazi later said he expected a casual hangout but ended up recording music after Kel-P played an instrumental repeatedly. In an interview with ''Afrocritik'', Mr Eazi recalled, "I started singing deeply personal stuff that no one had ever heard, and Kel-P said, 'Let’s record,' and we did." The session produced the track "Exit" and marked the starting point for the project.<ref>{{cite web|author=Okoro, Emmanuel|title=The Ingenuity of Mr Eazi: An Exclusive Interview with a New Era Connoisseur for Art and Talent|url=https://www.afrocritik.com/the-ingenuity-of-mr-eazi-an-exclusive-interview-with-a-new-era-connoisseur-for-art-and-talent/|website=Afrocritik|accessdate=27 August 2024|date=15 November 2023}}</ref>
== Singles == The lead single for ''The Evil Genius'', "Legalize", was released on 10 June 2022, and 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.<ref>{{cite web|author=Bloom, Madison|title=Watch Mr Eazi Propose to His Girlfriend in Video for New Song “Legalize”|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-mr-eazi-propose-to-his-girlfriend-in-video-for-new-song-legalize/|website=Pitchfork|accessdate=August 27, 2024|date=June 10, 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|author=Laketu, Adedayo|title=Mr Eazi Announces Debut Album Release and Premieres New Single "Chop Time, No Friend"|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/mr-eazi-chop-time-no-friend/|website=OkayAfrica|accessdate=August 27, 2024|date=July 19, 2023}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|author=Oliver Love, Michael|title=Mr Eazi Previews Debut Album With New Video 'Chop Time, No Friend'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/mr-eazi-chop-time-no-friend-video-debut-album-announcement-1234790826/|website=Rolling Stone|accessdate=August 27, 2024|date=July 18, 2023}}</ref> The album's third single "Advice" was released on 1 September 2023 and was produced by M.O.G Beatz.<ref>{{cite web|author=Mysers Hansen, Gabriel|title=Mr Eazi drops Advice single ahead of Evil Genius album|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/mr-eazi-drops-advice-single-ahead-evil-genius-album|website=Music in Africa|accessdate=August 27, 2024|date=September 1, 2023}}</ref> The fourth single off ''The Evil Genius'', Fefe Ne Fefe, was released on 10 October 2023 and was produced by Kel-P.<ref>{{cite web|author=In-house East Africa|title=Mr Eazi unveils Fefe Ne Fefe single|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/fr/node/297231|website=Music in Africa|accessdate=August 27, 2024|date=October 17, 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref name="OkayAfrica"/>
== Critical reception == ''The Evil Genius'' received positive reviews 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." He called it "a wonderful debut effort from an artiste who has not only mastered the ropes of the music industry, but has also captured the world with his unique sound," and awarded it a rating of 7.8/10.<ref>{{cite web|author=Okoro, Emmanuel|title=''The Evil Genius'' Review: Mr Eazi Gets Up Close and Personal On Debut LP|url=https://www.afrocritik.com/the-evil-genius-review-mr-eazi-gets-up-close-and-personal-on-debut-lp/|website=Afrocritik|accessdate=28 August 2024|date=9 November 2023}}</ref> Jon Dolan of ''Rolling Stone'' wrote that ''The Evil Genius'' presented Mr Eazi as "both a curator and an ambassador" through an album with a "Pan-African scope" and "grand ambition," concluding that it balanced "personal pride, local struggle, and global ambitions" in "one man’s vision."<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Dolan, Jon|title=Mr. Eazi Displays His Pan-African Pride and Global Purpose on 'The Evil Genius'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/mr-eazi-the-evil-genius-1234863168/|magazine=Rolling Stone|accessdate=28 August 2024|date=26 October 2023|archive-date=26 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026232104/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/mr-eazi-the-evil-genius-1234863168/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Pulse Nigeria''{{'s}} Adeayo Adebiyi 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 since "his success in business and his unique approach to music have earned Mr. Eazi the right to call himself a genius..., it's time for him to tap into that genius and evolve his sound to offer something refreshing," giving the album a rating of 6.9 out of 10.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Adebiyi, Adeayo|title=Mr. Eazi leans into familiar territory on ''The Evil Genius''|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/a-pulse-review-of-the-evil-genius-by-mr-eazi/0lb1wdj|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|accessdate=28 August 2024|date=5 November 2023}}</ref>
==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''The Evil Genius'' track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | total_length = 41:09
| title1 = Olúwa Jọ̀ | writer1 = {{flatlist| * Oluwatosin Ajibade * Emmanuel Nwosu * Ifeoma Edith Ajibade * Bansi Sohodeb * Samuel Adetiloye }} | extra1 = {{flatlist| * E Kelly * Stikmatik * Timmy * Mr Eazi }} | length1 = 1:18
| title2 = Advice | writer2 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * John Dosunmu-Mensah }} | extra2 = M.O.G Beatz | length2 = 2:45
| title3 = Òròkórò | note3 = featuring Angélique Kidjo | writer3 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * Angélique Kidjo * Joshua Nkansah * Oluwaseun Hassan }} | extra3 = Kel-P | length3 = 3:09
| title4 = Chop Time, No Friend | writer4 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * Joseph Addison * Alexander Uwaifo }} | extra4 = {{flatlist| * KillBeatz * Andre Vibez }} | length4 = 2:48
| title5 = Notorious | writer5 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * Alastair O'Donnell }} | extra5 = {{flatlist| * Kel-P * AoD * KDaGreat }} | length5 = 2:28
| title6 = Panadol | writer6 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * Kelenna Agada * Nkansah }} | extra6 = Type A | length6 = 2:29
| title7 = Jamboree | note7 = featuring Tekno | writer7 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * Tobechukwu Okoh * Daniel Williams }} | extra7 = Yung Willis | length7 = 2:31
| title8 = Good Lovin' | note8 = featuring Efya | writer8 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * Agada }} | extra8 = Type A | length8 = 2:49
| title9 = Lack Of Communication | writer9 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * Agada * Nkansah * Hassan * Udoma Amba }} | extra9 = {{flatlist| * Kel-P * Mr Eazi }} | length9 = 2:17
| title10 = Fefe Ne Fefe | writer10 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * Nkansah * Amba }} | extra10 = Kel-P | length10 = 2:26
| title11 = Legalize | writer11 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * Nwosu * Chinonso Amadi * Michaël Brun }} | extra11 = {{flatlist| * Michaël Brun * E Kelly * Nonso Amadi }} | length11 = 2:26
| title12 = Show Dem | note12 = featuring Whoisakin | writer12 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * Akinola Akin * Ayobami Olaleye }} | extra12 = Phantom | length12 = 2:33
| title13 = We Dey | writer13 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * Wade Oghenejabor * Malik Venner * Akin * Nwosu * Abdulmalik Bawa * Ashley Nwachukwu * O'Donnell }} | extra13 = {{flatlist| * Knucks * AoD * E Kelly * Wade Oghenejabor * Venna }} | length13 = 2:39
| title14 = Zuzulakate | note14 = featuring Joeboy | writer14 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * Joseph Akinfenwa-Donus * Nkansah * Favour Brown * Agada }} | extra14 = {{flatlist| * Type A * E Kelly }} | length14 = 2:49
| title15 = Mandela | writer15 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * King-David Adeboye * Damilola Aminu }} | extra15 = KDream | length15 = 2:40
| title16 = Exit | note16 = featuring Soweto Gospel Choir | writer16 = {{flatlist| * Ajibade * Nkansah }} | extra16 = Kel-P | length16 = 2:56
}}
==Personnel== {{div col|colwidth=25em}} * Oluwatosin "Mr Eazi" Ajibade – vocals, writer, producer * Joseph "Joeboy" Akinfenwa-Donus – vocals, writer * Angélique Kidjo – vocals, writer * Akinola "Whoisakin" Akin – vocals, writer * Jane "Efya" Awindor – vocals * Augustine "Tekno" Kelechi – vocals * Soweto Gospel Choir – vocals * Yash "Stikmatik" Sohodeb – producer, writer * Emmanuel "E Kelly" Nwosu – producer, writer, mixing engineer, mastering engineer * Udoma "Kel-P" Amba – producer, writer, recording engineer * Alexander "Andre Vibez" Uwaifo – producer, writer * John "M.O.G. Beatz" Dosunmu-Mensah – producer, writer * Kelenna "Type A" Agada – producer, writer * Joseph "KillBeatz" Addison – producer, writer * Daniel "Yung Willis" Williams – producer, writer * Alastair "AoD" O'Donnell – producer, writer * Chinonso "Nonso" Amadi – producer, writer * Michaël Brun – producer, writer * Ayobami "Phantom" Olaleye – producer, writer * Wade "Wademix" Oghenejabor – producer, writer * Malik "Venna" Venner – producer, writer * Samuel "Timmy" Adetiloye – producer, writer * Ashley "Knucks" Nwachukwu – producer, writer * Kevin "KDaGreat" Midonzi – producer * Mark "Exit" Goodchild – mixing engineer * Demetrius "DbMixing" Bell – mixing engineer * Alex Robinson – mixing engineer * Ronald "GuiltyBeatz" Banful – mixing engineer * Michael "Synx" Nwachukwu – mixing engineer, mastering engineer * Joshua "Moszi" Nkansah – guitar, writer * Tobechukwu "Peruzzi" Okoh – writer * Oluwaseun "Nakamura" Hassan – writer * Abdulmalik Bawa – writer * Ifeoma Edith Ajibade – writer * Allison Swank Owen – video director {{div col end}}
==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+Release history and formats for ''The Evil Genius'' ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label |- ! scope="row"| Various | 27 October 2023 | {{hlist|Streaming|Digital download}} | emPawa Africa |}
== References == {{reflist}} {{Mr Eazi}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Evil Genius (Mr Eazi album)}} Category:2023 debut albums Category:Afrobeats albums Category:Albums produced by Kel-P Category:Albums produced by Yung Willis Category:Albums produced by M.O.G Beatz Category:Albums produced by E Kelly Category:Albums produced by Type A Category:Albums produced by Timmy (record producer) Category:Albums produced by KillBeatz