When Mr Eazi and King Promise first met at a studio in Adenta Lotto Kiosk in 2013, they were both at the early stages of their careers, trying to prove that their talents could produce real-world results. The two instantly struck up a friendship, even going on to make music the day they met. Later that year, Mr Eazi would release his debut mixtape, About to Blow, which spawned the popular single Bankulize. In the same year, King Promise would receive a massive cosign from Ghanaian rap legend Sarkodie, which would set him on his way to stardom.
In the 13 years that have followed, both artists have risen to the summit of their respective industries. King Promise has become one of the most popular Ghanaian music stars in the world. In 2024, he became the most-streamed Ghanaian artist on Spotify, a testament to his widespread popularity amongst Ghanaians as well as his cross-border appeal and exportability. Mr Eazi, on the other hand, has gone on to become one of the most influential figures in Afrobeats, first cementing himself as a hitmaker thanks to his distinct fusion of Ghanaian Highlife and Afrobeats before becoming a part of the infrastructural layer of Afrobeats thanks to the establishment of the revolutionary emPawa Initiative, which helped new artists enter, grow, and export from Africa. His exploits in business, technology and sports are thoroughly documented.
Despite following two distinct career paths, Mr Eazi and King Promise have maintained a close friendship over the years. Their friendship has naturally split into the music, which has produced collaborations such as Oh Yeah (Remix), Dabebi, Baby I’m Jealous, and Call Waiting, with every collaboration reflecting a consistent creative synergy. So it didn’t come as a surprise when both artists announced the release of their joint album, See What We’ve Done.
The nine-track album sees the duo deliver heartwarming romantic tunes that cut across familiar Afropop and R&B soundscapes. The Afro&B opener ‘Where have you been’ sets the tone for the project. Delivered partly in Twi, both artists deliver a record that expresses their gratitude and celebrates the fulfilment of finally finding someone (a woman we’ll eventually get to know as Mariana) who offers them the sweetness of companionship they’ve hoped for all their lives. The sweet talk and adulation continue on ‘That Way’, which samples Backstreet Boys’ seminal hit track, ‘I Want It That Way‘. They sing passionately about the captivating effect of their love interest on them with lyrics like ‘Wetin you dey do me? Nobody dey come close / And when you put it on me, I want ghost / Wetin dey your inside jollof? I want know, yeah.’
On the Afro&B cut Mariana, which is built on guitar-rich melodies, they express their willingness to convey the depths of their affections not just with words but with money. Mr Eazi sings, ‘Inna your life I go invest / All my loving, all my money,’ while King Promise sings, ‘Give you everything / Spoil you with enjoyment.’ Although cracks are beginning to appear as evidenced by lines like “You hot pass hell oo / Say you need space / But you cannot let go”, the duo are simply willing to throw money at the situation. And why wouldn’t they? When a woman drives you as crazy as they admit on the highlife and Afropop fusion, Taste, you spend what needs to be spent to keep her happy and comfortable. The guitars on this record, especially in the closing moments, are pure delight. Simple yet so alluring.
Criminal offers more of the same, with the pair likening her to a criminal for the way she has stolen their hearts. ‘Baby, I’m still jealous’ introduces some tension. It’s a reimagined version of their previous collaboration off Mr Eazi’s 2020 EP One Day You Will Understand. This new version sees King Promise brooding over striking strings while maintaining the original theme of the record, portraying a man swimming in an ocean of jealousy while he reminisces about the thrill of the past, while mourning what could have been.
Yet, there’s nobody else he would rather be with, as evidenced by the Highlife-inspired No. 1 Fan. “I be your personal, personal plumber; come make me pipe you / Personal physician; come make me stretch you” is Lamba at its finest. While hints of lust are scattered across the album, the duo dive deepest into that territory on this writer’s personal favourite, ‘Mad Ting’. The duo deploy sexually charged lyricism wrapped with sensual melodies, aided by Gideonite’s brilliant deployment of dreamy strings and basslines.
The closing record, See What We’ve Done, offers something completely different from what the duo have served up across the preceding eight tracks. The uptempo Amapiano cut finds both artists basking in the euphoria of their success and the luxurious lifestyle it affords them, all while rubbing it in the faces of their haters. It’s a stark departure from the midtempo romantic tunes that have defined the record up to this point.
Not that it’s a bad record; it isn’t. In fact, there are none of those on this project. It just feels completely leftfield. But perhaps one must take every opportunity to flex on haters when it presents itself. You can’t fault Mr Eazi and King Promise for that.
In the end, Mr Eazi and King Promise capture the creative synergy that has defined their friendship and brotherhood for over a decade. Across nine tracks, they offer a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience that doesn’t demand much from the listener to digest. The exciting fusion of Afropop, Highlife and R&B presented on this project is elevated by coherent lyricism and rich melodies, unified by a core theme. The result is a body of work that thrives on its cohesion and depth, with very high replay value.
