Nigerian musician and entrepreneur Mr Eazi recently shared an anecdote about choosing a scheduled performance for 8,000 fans over an opportunity to meet one of his biggest inspirations, American music mogul Jay-Z. In an interview with Focus on Africa host Waihiga Mwaura, Mr Eazi explained that he had been invited to attend the premiere of Beyoncé’s ‘The Lion King: The Gift’ project, which was expected to be a small dinner attended by Jay-Z. However, he had already committed to a show and decided to honour his commitment to his audience.
Mr Eazi regards Jay-Z as a guiding figure in both music and business. Despite having worked on music with Jay-Z’s wife, Beyoncé, the singer said he has never met the rapper. He revealed that he was supposed to attend the premiere, but his team attended in his place. Mr Eazi emphasized that in music and entrepreneurship, Jay-Z is his North Star, indicating the significant influence Jay-Z has on his career.
The decision to prioritize the concert over meeting Jay-Z was not an easy one, but Mr Eazi chose to fulfill his commitment to his audience. He explained that the organisers had already paid him to perform before thousands of fans, and he did not want to cancel the concert. Instead, he decided to focus on his show, which was attended by 8,000 fans.
Apart from his music career, Mr Eazi has developed business interests across several African markets. During the interview, he disclosed that he is directly or indirectly involved in business activities in approximately 24 countries across the continent. His comments came in the context of a discussion about the scale of his ventures and remarks previously made by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote about his business interests.
Mr Eazi’s business interests extend beyond entertainment and into different sectors of the African economy. One of his notable ventures is Locker Room Bonus, a programme designed to reward athletes after victories in leagues with which it partners. Under the initiative, players receive bonuses directly in their mobile money wallets after their teams win matches.
The Locker Room Bonus model is intended to provide athletes with direct financial incentives while supporting the development of sports over the long term. This venture reflects Mr Eazi’s broader approach to entrepreneurship, which extends beyond entertainment and into different sectors of the African economy. His business interests demonstrate his commitment to contributing to the growth and development of the African economy.
In addition to his music and business ventures, Mr Eazi also reflected on his marriage to Temi Otedola, saying their relationship has helped him develop a greater understanding of himself. He pointed to self-awareness as the key aspect of his relationship, saying that his partner has become a mirror for him, showing him the best and worst parts of himself.
Key points
- Mr Eazi prioritized a concert for 8,000 fans over meeting Jay-Z.
- Mr Eazi has business interests in approximately 24 countries across Africa.
- Mr Eazi’s relationship with Temi Otedola has helped him develop greater self-awareness.
