-
I rejected record deals from Columbia Records, YBNL – Mr Eazi
Nigerian singer and tech entrepreneur, Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, popularly known as Mr Eazi, has disclosed that he turned down recording deals from Columbia Records and Olamide, the CEO of YBNL Nation.
Mr Eazi shared that Abou “Bu” Thiam, the executive vice president of Columbia Records and younger brother of American singer Akon, as well as Olamide, separately approached him with recording deals when he was starting his music career. However, he declined these opportunities as he felt he hadn’t yet figured out his direction and desired the freedom to explore.
This revelation was made during a recent episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast, hosted by music journalist Joey Akan.
Mr Eazi said; “I remember going for ‘Ghana Meets Naija in Ghana. And that was where I met Olamide. He tried to sign me to his record label. He offered me a deal. Somebody else had also tried to sign me. Bu [Abou Thiam], Akon’s brother was the first person who tried to sign me.
“I declined because then I haven’t even figured out what I was doing. It was too early to sign. So, I didn’t sign to Bu.
“When Olamide gave me a deal, I knew that I hadn’t totally understood the business or what I was even doing so I declined. Everything was just happening so fast. One thing I knew was that I wanted my freedom.”
Additionally, Mr. Eazi disclosed that Jay-Z’s popular song “Skin Tight” was being signed by ROC Nation, a record label. However, Wizkid advised him not to proceed with the agreement until they offered him “life-changing” money.
He added, “In reality to where I was in my life, the money they offered would have been interpreted as life changing money. But to me because of where I thought I was going, I didn’t think it was life changing money. So, I didn’t accept the deal”.