Nigerian singer Mr Eazi has claimed that he played a significant role in rescuing Afrobeats in 2016, insisting that the genre was facing difficulties before he made his breakthrough.
The singer, whose real name is Oluwatosin Ajibade, made the claim during a recent interview with Beat FM, where he reflected on his impact on the Nigerian music industry.
“I saved Afrobeats in 2016 when I saw that the genre needed saving. Afrobeats was in a precarious state,” he said.
Mr Eazi explained that his arrival on the music scene brought fresh momentum to Afrobeats at a time when the genre needed a revival, eventually contributing to its growing international recognition.
The ‘Skin Tight’ crooner enjoyed a major breakthrough in 2016, establishing himself as one of the most promising emerging artistes in Nigeria and across Africa through several hit songs and his distinctive laid-back fusion sound.
His impressive performance that year earned him the Next Rated award at the 2016 Headies.
However, 2016 also witnessed the rise of other Nigerian music stars, including Tekno, Runtown and Ycee, who gained widespread attention across Africa and among international audiences with their hit songs.
