"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]
| "Legalize" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpeg) Painting by Patricorel | ||||
| Single by Mr Eazi | ||||
| from the album The Evil Genius | ||||
| Released | 10 June 2022 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:26 | |||
| Label | emPawa Africa | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Oluwatosin Ajibade | |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Mr Eazi singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Legalize" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editOn 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
editI 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
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
editOn 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
editOn 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
edit- Oluwatosin Ajibade - Primary artist, writer, executive producer
- Production
- E-Kelly - Co-producer, co-executive producer
- Michael Brun - Co-producer
- Nonso Amadi - Co-producer
- Temi Otedola - Cameo appearance
Documentary cast
edit- Patricorel
- Liya
- Joey Akan
- Wadude
- Rukky Ojukoko
- Tochi Louis
- Minz
- Zuwa
- Fidela
Charts
editWeekly charts
edit| 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
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 10 June 2022 | emPawa Africa | [11] |
References
edit- ^ a b "Mr Eazi Releases New Single 'Legalize'". The Guardian Nigeria News. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Watch Mr Eazi Propose to Temi Otedola in Music Video for "Legalize"". BellaNaija. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ Olowolagba, Fikayo (10 April 2022). "Otedola, celebrities react as Mr Eazi engages daughter, Temi". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Official Afrobeats Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ "Turntable Top 50 Chart". Turntable Charts. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ "Turntable Top 50 Airplay Chart". Turntable Charts. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ "Turntable Top 50 Streaming Songs". Turntable Charts. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ "Legalize". Spotify. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.