While many chase clout at every opportunity, some quietly build empires behind the scenes. Oluwatosin Ajibade, better known as Mr Eazi, seems to be one of them.

Often described as “Femi Otedola’s in-law” or identified by his music and high-profile relationship with Temi Otedola, Mr Eazi is far more than just a hit maker. He is also a strategist running a multimillion-dollar empire that spans music, finance, technology, sports, and real estate across 18 African countries. He has made bold moves in publishing, distribution, and startup funding, flexing his financial muscle in boardrooms rather than on Instagram.

In 2013, he released his debut mixtape, About to Blow, but it was the Efya-assisted single Skin Tight that opened international doors. By 2017, his project Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra to Lagos cemented his place as one of afrobeats’ most distinctive voices. His unique blend of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian rhythms, a sound he christened Banku Music, won him collaborations with Burna Boy, Olamide, Tekno, and DJ Cuppy. From viral campus anthems in Ghana to sold-out shows in London and a performance at Coachella, his artistry crossed borders with ease.

But unlike many of his peers, Mr Eazi saw music as just one piece of a bigger puzzle. In 2019, he launched emPawa Africa, a talent incubation initiative designed to nurture upcoming African artists. Thirty musicians benefited from grants and mentorship in its first edition, supported by YouTube Music. He also runs Banku Music, the early label that helped pioneer his sound.

His business footprint extends beyond music. In technology and finance, he co-founded PawaPay, a fintech startup simplifying mobile money transfers across Africa. Through his investment company, Zagadat Capital, he has backed promising startups such as Decagon, and in 2023 became part of the portfolio of U.S. tech and music company Gamma.

In sports and betting, Mr Eazi serves as CEO of BetPawa, which struck a $6m sponsorship deal with the Ghana Premier League. He also holds shares in Cape Town Tigers, a South African basketball team—an investment move he once revealed was inspired by Jay-Z’s NBA ownership ventures. In real estate, his projects in Kigali, Rwanda, reflect his pan-African investment vision.

At his wedding to Temi Otedola, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, publicly confirmed that Mr Eazi runs businesses across 18 countries. The billionaire even hinted that the singer could someday become one of Africa’s richest men. (PUNCH)