Legalize (song)

Last updated
"Legalize"
Legalize (Mr Eazi song).jpeg
Painting by Patricorel
Single by Mr Eazi
Released10 June 2022 (2022-06-10)
Genre
Length2:26
Label emPawa Africa
Songwriter(s) Oluwatosin Ajibade
Producer(s)
Mr Eazi singles chronology
"I Wanna Run Away"
(2021)
"Legalize"
(2022)
Music video
"Legalize" on YouTube

"Legalize" is a song by Nigerian singer Mr Eazi, released on 10 June 2022, through emPawa Africa. [1] "Legalize" was written by Mr Eazi and produced by emPawa head of music, and record producer E-Kelly, Michael Brun, and Nonso Amadi. [1] The music video, was shot by Federico Mazzarisi in Venice and released the same day, with a cameo appearance from the Nigerian actress Temi Otedola. [2]

Contents

Background

On 10 April, Temi Otedola got engaged to Mr Eazi. [3] In a press release, he said “I started the song in Michael Brun’s house on some edibles, freestyling, and later went to London and listened to what I’d recorded, and realized what the song was about. I’ve been thinking of asking Temi to marry me for a long time, so I guess it was in my subconscious” [4] During the press, he said: “It’s more like this song is for me, after arranging to shoot the song video in Venice and purchasing an engagement ring, I felt the set would be the ideal location to propose.” [4] and added, “No one on set knew what was going to happen.” [4]

Documentary

I started to see the similarities between the music space and the art space in terms of the business model my company emPawa does … [which] finds artists, musicians and works with them, nurtures them and their careers, and gives them the opportunities to break into the world

- Eazi told ARTnews [5]

Behind-the-scenes photos were released through BellaNaija on 8 June 2022. [6] The cover image, is an artwork painted by the Beninese artist Patricorel, which also features in "Legalize: The Art Experience" a short film, starring Mr Eazi, Patricorel, Liya, Joey Akan, Wadude, Rukky Ojukoko, Tochi Louis, Minz, Zuwa, and Fidel. [5] The documentary was produced by A Family Picture in Cotonou and released on 9 June. [5]

Commercial performance

On 19 June 2022, "Legalize" debuted at number 13 on the UK Official Afrobeats Single Top 20 Chart. [7] On 20 June 2022, "Legalize" debuted at number 31, on Nigeria TurnTable Top 50 chart. [8] On 22 June 2022, "Legalize" debuted on at number 30 on TurnTable Top 50 Airplay, [9] and number 38 on TurnTable Top 50 Streaming Songs. [10]

Music video

On 10 June 2022, Mr Eazi released the music video for "Legalize", through emPawa Africa. [2] The visual features a cameo appearance from his finance Temi Otedola. [2] The visual was directed by Federico Mazzarisi in Venice. [2]

Personnel

Documentary cast

  • Patricorel
  • Liya
  • Joey Akan
  • Wadude
  • Rukky Ojukoko
  • Tochi Louis
  • Minz
  • Zuwa
  • Fidela

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart performance for "Legalize"
Chart (2022)Peak
position
Nigeria (TurnTable Top 50)31
Nigeria Top 50 Streaming Songs ( TurnTable )38
Nigeria Top 50 Airplay ( TurnTable )30
UK Afrobeats Singles (OCC)13

Release history

Release history for "Legalize"
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
Various10 June 2022 emPawa Africa [11]

Related Research Articles

DJ Cuppy Nigerian Disc Jockey and Record Producer

Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, professionally known as DJ Cuppy, or simply Cuppy, is a Nigerian disc jockey and producer. She is the daughter of Nigerian businessman Femi Otedola. She grew up in Lagos and moved to London at the age of 13.

Oluseye Desmond Sodamola, professionally known as Spinall, is a Nigerian disc jockey, record producer, songwriter, label executive, and media personality. He first gained prominence in 2004, while working as a radio DJ at Raypower 100.5 FM. He later joined Industry Nite where he promoted underground talents at the weekly platform. He was the official DJ to Wande Coal while he was affiliated with Mavin Records. He created a style edge to his outfit known as TheCAP, tracing his roots back to his culture. TheCAP, which fans tags as "TheCrazyAzzParty" has since then been his brand power and identity. Prior to April 2021, he went by the stage name DJ Spinall. Same month, he started an Afromix series on Apple Music, on 15 April 2021, Spinall released an Afromix, EP 1 and hosted a television show, Smirnoff Infamous Mix on MTV Base, Soundcity TV with a podcast series on Audiomack and various radio stations. On 6 April 2021, Smirnoff Infamous Mix first episode featured guest appearance from Wurld.

Faridah Seriki, known professionally as Kah-Lo is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, best known for her song ‘Fasta’ and for her work on 'Rinse and Repeat' with British DJ, Riton. The track was nominated for Best Dance Recording at the 59th Grammy Awards. Together, she and Riton have released 'Betta Riddim', 'Money' ft. Mr. Eazi and Davido, and Triple J hits 'Fake ID' and 'Ginger'.

Mr Eazi Nigerian musician (born 1991)

Oluwatosin Ajibade, better known by his stage name Mr Eazi, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is a pioneer of Banku music, a fusion of sound he describes as a mixture of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions and patterns. Mr Eazi relocated to Kumasi, Ghana in 2008 and enrolled at KNUST, where he began booking artists to perform at college parties. He showed interest in music after recording a guest verse on "My Life", a song that gained traction and became a popular record at KNUST. Mr Eazi released his debut mixtape About to Blow in July 2013. He gained an international audience following the release of the Efya-assisted single "Skin Tight". His second mixtape Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra To Lagos was released on 10 February 2017.

<i>Rendezvous</i> (playlist) 2018 mixtape by M.I Abaga

Rendezvous is a playlist by Nigerian rapper M.I Abaga. It was released by Chocolate City on February 9, 2018. The playlist features guest appearances from Cassper Nyovest, AKA, Wande Coal, Falz, Yung L, Dice Ailes, Ckay, Nonso Amadi, Santi, Odunsi the Engine, Chillz, Tomi Thomas, Joules Da Kid, Ajebutter22, Terry Apala, Strafitti, Trigga Madtonic, Blaqbonez and UA.x. It also features skits from a number of radio personalities, including Vic-O, Charles Okocha, Douglas Jekan, Kemi Smallz and Do2tun. Rendezvous was supported by the singles "Your Father" and "Lekki".

Nonso Amadi Musical artist

Nonso Amadi is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and music producer. He is a self-taught songwriter and music producer who embarked on his music career in 2012, while at Covenant University, where he studied chemical engineering.

Afrobeats, also known as Afro-pop, Afro-fusion, is an umbrella term to describe popular music from West Africa and the diaspora that initially developed in Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK in the 2000s and 2010s. Afrobeats is less of a style per se, and more of a descriptor for the fusion of sounds flowing out of Ghana and Nigeria. Genres such as hiplife, jùjú music, highlife and naija beats, among others, were amalgamated under the 'afrobeats' umbrella.

Joeboy Nigerian musician (born 1997)

Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus, known professionally as Joeboy, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Mr. Eazi of record label "emPawa Africa" discovered him in 2017. His genre of music is that of Afro pop and R&B. He was born in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Juls Ghanaian-British Producer

Julian Nicco-Annan, better known by his stage name Juls, is a British-Ghanaian record producer, disc jockey, and musician. He is considered one of the pioneering producers of African music in the diaspora, particularly in Afrobeats circles. He is best known for the production of songs like Bankulize and "Skin Tight" by Mr Eazi which accrued over two million views on YouTube; "Feel Alright" by Show Dem Camp, Rudebwoi Love by Stonebwoy and Gwarn by Burna Boy. He has collaborated with labels like BBnz Live, Toko Beatz, Stereofly Records, Cosmic Harmony, and Lost Ones and worked on A&R for Mr.Eazi's Life is Eazi album.

Nobody (DJ Neptune song) 2020 song by DJ Neptune

"Nobody" is the second single from Nigerian disk jockey DJ Neptune's forthcoming second studio album Greatness II: The Sounds Of Neptune. The song was released as a single on March 5, 2020. It was produced by Magic Sticks and features vocals from Nigerian singers Joeboy and Mr Eazi. "Nobody" is the first Nigerian song to peak at number one, on TurnTable End of the Year Top 50 chart.

<i>Celia</i> (album) 2020 studio album by Tiwa Savage

Celia is the third studio album by Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage. It was released on 27 August 2020 by Motown, Island Records, and Universal Music Group.

Temi Otedola Nigerian blogger

Temiloluwa Elizabeth Otedola is a Nigerian actress and also a blogger. She is known for playing the role of Moremi Oluwa in the 2020 film Citation.

CKay Nigerian singer and record producer (born 1995)

Chukwuka Ekweani, better known by his stage name CKay, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer signed to Warner Music South Africa, and Atlantic Records. He was formerly signed to Chocolate City, a member of Warner Music Group independent label services ADA. His international hit single "Love Nwantiti", also known as "Love Nwantiti ", was released in 2019 by Chocolate City. On 29 March 2022, the song debuted at number one, following the launch of the Billboard Afrobeats chart. On 9 May 2022, it became the first African song in history to surpass one billion streams on Spotify.

Damages (song) 2020 single by Tems

"Damages" is a song by Nigerian singer and record producer Tems. It was released on 17 September 2020. Written by Tems and produced by Spax, the song is the only single from Tems's first EP For Broken Ears, which was released on 25 september 2020.

Bolaji Odojukan, better known by his stage name BOJ is an English-Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He is one-third of the musical group DRB LasGidi with TeeZee and Fresh L, and is known as a pioneer of alté.

TurnTable is a Nigerian music and entertainment magazine founded by Ayomide Oriowo, and Similoluwa Adegoke. TurnTable focuses primarily on music charts, news, and events. Its music charts include the Top 50, and the Year-End chart. TurnTable Magazine has 2 issues, and its first issue was published on 19 December 2020, by Similoluwa Adegoke. Its issues are printed in English language.

Chidozie "Fave" God'sfavour popularly known as Fave is a Nigerian musician, singer, songwriter and performing artist.She is known for her hit single Baby Riddim The song received mostly positive reviews from music critics and peaked at number one on Nigeria's TurnTable Top 50 chart. and peaked at number forty-nine on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.

EmPawa Africa Record label in Nigeria

emPawa Africa, headquartered in Lagos, is an African talent incubation enterprise, known for nurturing and supporting up-and-coming artistes. It offers mentorship to 100 African artistes yearly, with a $3,000 (dollars) grant. emPawa is headed by Mr Eazi as Founder/CEO, and houses a publishing, and licensing division, with a streaming service, emPawa Music.

Yawa No Dey End Single

"Yawa No Dey End" is a song by Nigerian singer-songwriter Majeeed, on his debut extended play Bitter Sweet. It is the third song on the EP, released officially on 25 March 2022 by Dream Empire Music, through Dvpper Music. A new version of the song featuring Joeboy, was released by Dream Empire Music, and licensed through Mr Eazi's emPawa Africa.

<i>Bitter Sweet</i> (Majeeed EP) 2022 EP by Majeeed

Bitter Sweet is the debut extended play by Nigerian singer-songwriter Majeeed. It was released on 25 March 2022 by Dream Empire Music, through Dvpper Music. Bitter Sweet is built around the early life of a Nigerian teen, transiting into an early adult. The album is a mixture of Afrofusion, and Afropop, with R&B, and Soul percussive rhythms. It was produced primarily by Majeeed, along with production from Dalor Beats, Poposky Beats, Shugavybz, BlaiseBeatz, and Mr Kleb. The EP received favorable reviews from critics.

References

  1. 1 2 "Mr Eazi Releases New Single 'Legalize'". The Guardian Nigeria News. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Watch Mr Eazi Propose to Temi Otedola in Music Video for "Legalize"". BellaNaija. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  3. Olowolagba, Fikayo (10 April 2022). "Otedola, celebrities react as Mr Eazi engages daughter, Temi". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 Mamo, Heran (10 June 2022). "Mr. Eazi Shows Love for Fiancée Temi Otedola in New 'Legalize' Video, Announces Debut Album". Billboard. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 Hamelo, Gameli (9 June 2022). "Nigerian Megastar Mr Eazi is Teaming Up With Visual Artists Across Africa—See the First Collab for His New Single". ARTnews.com. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  6. "Temi Otedola Is Making An Elegant Appearance in the Visuals for Mr Eazi's "Legalize" | See Exclusive BTS Photos". BellaNaija. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  7. "Official Afrobeats Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  8. "Turntable Top 50 Chart". Turntable Charts. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  9. "Turntable Top 50 Airplay Chart". Turntable Charts. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  10. "Turntable Top 50 Streaming Songs". Turntable Charts. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  11. "Legalize". Spotify. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.