Wikipedia

Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 – Lagos to London

Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 – Lagos to London, also shortened to Lagos to London, is the third mixtape by Nigerian singer and songwriter Mr Eazi, and the follow-up to his previous mixtape, Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra to Lagos. It was released on 9 November 2018 by Banku Music and Universal Music Africa, and features artists Burna Boy, Simi, 2Baba, Diplo, Maleek Berry, Giggs, King Promise, Chronixx, Lotto Boyzz, Sneakbo, Mo-T, Lady Donli and actor and comedian Broda Shaggi.[1] Notable producers who Mr Eazi worked with include Sarz, Simba Tagz, Da Beatfreakz, Speroach Beatz, Pheelz, Jae5, E-Kelly, Juls, Jay Weathers, GuiltyBeatz, Soji, KillBeatz, Chopstix, Moelogo, The Cavemen., Fred Again, AoD, and the Picard Brothers. The mixtape housed the singles "Pour Me Water", "London Town", "Overload", and "Keys to the City (Ogede)".

Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 - Lagos to London
Mixtape by
Mr Eazi
Released9 November 2018
Recorded2017–2018
GenreAfro pop
Length49:00
Label
Producer
Mr Eazi chronology
Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra to Lagos
(2017) 		Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 - Lagos to London
(2018) 		One Day You Will Understand
(2020)
Singles from Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 – Lagos to London
  1. "Pour Me Water"
    Released: 17 November 2017
  2. "London Town"
    Released: 23 May 2018
  3. "Property"
    Released: 27 July 2018
  4. "Keys to the City (Ogede)"
    Released: 5 October 2018

Background

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On 11 October 2018, an early track list of the mixtape was released, and was revealed to feature artists such as Diplo and Distruction Boyz. The mixtape was also teased to be split into two sections, "Lagos" and "London", however, that wasn't the case.[2]

In an interview with OkayAfrica, Mr Eazi revealed that his favorite song off Lagos to London was "Chicken Curry".[3]

Singles

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The lead single "Pour Me Water" was released on 17 November 2017. The song was produced and co-written by E-Kelly.[4] The music video for "Pour Me Water" was directed by Teekay and released on 16 December 2017.[5] The mixtape's second single "London Town" features British rapper Giggs and was produced by Da Beatfreakz and co-produced by Chopstix and Moelogo.[6] The music video for "London Town" was shot and directed in London by Meji Alabi.[7] The third single off the mixtape, "Property" features Mo-T of Mi Casa. It was released on 27 July 2018, and was produced by Fred Again. The music video was directed by Meji Alabi.[8] The fourth single, "Keys to the City (Ogede)" was released on 5 October 2018 and produced by Simba Tagz, Sarz, and GuiltyBeatz. The music video was released the same day and directed by Alabi.[9]

Critical reception

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The mixtape received generally positive reviews from music critics. Oris Aigbokhaevbolo of Music in Africa highlighted Mr Eazi's versatility in Lagos to London, stating that "you might think of most Mr Eazi's good songs as inspired by Ghana; but his commercial instincts are entirely Nigerian." While the mixtape mirrors the structure of Accra to Lagos, the 'Lagos' section is weaker compared to the 'London' one, featuring standout tracks like 'Surrender' and 'Suffer Head'. Aigbokhaevbolo acknowledges Mr Eazi's success in blending Ghanaian, Nigerian, and London influences, making him a unique and commercially savvy artist.[10]

Dennis Peter of Nigerian Entertainment Today reflected on Mr Eazi's controversial 2017 tweet regarding Ghana's influence on Nigerian music, which sparked backlash but highlighted the significant role of his Banku style. In Lagos to London, Peter noted Eazi's ability to blend influences from Ghana, Nigeria, and London, producing a varied yet cohesive mixtape. He described the mixtape as "a collection of exuberant, if mostly banal, songs," yet emphasized Eazi's deliberate approach and ability to hold his own alongside collaborators like Simi, Burna Boy, and Chronixx.[11]

Debola Abimbolu of The Native praised Life is Eazi, Vol. 2 – Lagos to London for its global influences and Mr Eazi's seamless blending of African and UK sounds. Abimbolu highlighted standout tracks like "Surrender" with Simi and "Dabebi", which leans into Ghanaian highlife, as well as the London-influenced "Attention" and "Yard and Chill." The review also praised the mixtape's retro, Afrobeat-inspired intro and the variety of genres explored throughout. Alongside the mixtape, Abimbolu appreciated the accompanying documentary, which offered insight into Afropop and Mr Eazi's rise.[12]

Track listing

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Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 – Lagos to London track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Lagos Gyration" (intro; featuring Lady Donli)
The Cavemen0:47
2."Surrender" (featuring Simi)
2:42
3."Dabebi" (featuring Maleek Berry and King Promise)
2:58
4."Suffer Head" (featuring 2Baba)
  • Speroach Beatz
  • GuiltyBeatz
3:19
5."Property" (featuring Mo-T)
2:25
6."Pour Me Water"
  • Ajibade
  • Nwosu
E-Kelly2:48
7."Keys to the City (Ogede)"
  • Mr Eazi
  • Sarz
  • Simba Tagz
  • GuiltyBeatz
2:48
8."Open & Close" (featuring Diplo)
Picard Brothers2:44
9."In Molue to London" (skit; featuring Broda Shaggi)
GuiltyBeatz0:38
10."Miss You Bad" (featuring Burna Boy)
  • Alastair O'Donnell
  • Jay Weathers
2:56
11."Attention" (featuring Lotto Boyzz)
  • Ajibade
  • Lucas-Luke Henry
  • Ash-Irmhan Kirnon
  • Banful
GuiltyBeatz2:26
12."Yard & Chill"
2:21
13."She Loves Me" (featuring Chronixx)
Fred Again2:31
14."Chicken Curry" (featuring Sneakbo)
GuiltyBeatz3:00
15."London Town" (featuring Giggs)
3:20
Total length:49:00

Personnel

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References

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  1. ^ Mkhabela, Sabelo (9 November 2018). "Listen to Mr Eazi's New Mixtape 'Lagos to London (Vol. 2)' Featuring Giggs, Chronixx, Distruction Boyz, 2Baba and More". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  2. ^ The Native (11 October 2018). "Mr Eazi Shares Track List for Second Project, Lagos to London". The Native. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  3. ^ Ju, Shirley (5 February 2019). "Mr Eazi: "Music Has Made Me Understand & Investigate What It Means to Be African"". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  4. ^ Durosomo, Damola (17 November 2017). "Get Into Mr Eazi's Vibrant New Single 'Pour Me Water'". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  5. ^ The Native (20 December 2017). "Watch Mr Eazi's Music Video for "Pour Me Water"". The Native Magazine. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  6. ^ The Native (23 May 2018). "Mr Eazi Debuts "London Town" and "Overload", the Lead Singles from His Forthcoming Mixtape". The Native. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  7. ^ Lala, Emmanuel (30 May 2018). "Video: Mr Eazi – London Town ft. Giggs". 36NG. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  8. ^ Abimbolu, Debola (27 July 2018). "See Mr Eazi in This Cheerful Music Video for "Property"". The Native. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  9. ^ The Native (5 October 2018). "Mr Eazi's Video for Keys to the City (Ogede)", A Metaphor for Nigeria's Politics: Watch". The Native. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  10. ^ Aigbokhaevbolo, Oris (28 November 2018). "Mr Eazi's versatile moves from Lagos to London". Music in Africa. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  11. ^ Peter, Dennis (13 November 2018). "Review: Life Is Eazi, Volume 2 – Lagos to London Is a Loose Document of Mr Eazi's Continued Rise". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  12. ^ Abimbolu, Debola (28 November 2018). "Essentials: Mr Eazi's Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 – Lagos to London". The Native. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
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