As the summer heat intensifies, the infectious, sun-drenched rhythms of dancehall have returned to the forefront of the music scene.
In an exclusive announcement this Friday (July 3), Nigerian Afrobeats trailblazer Mr Eazi revealed his latest creative endeavor: a dancehall-steeped mixtape titled Yard & Yanga. To bring this vision to life, Eazi has teamed up with renowned dancehall architect Dre Skull. The project receives a massive injection of star power with the addition of the legendary Vybz Kartel, who features on the lead single, “Lambo,” out today. This track marks a high-profile reunion for the trio, following their previous collaborations on “Sekkle and Bop” and “Dance Pon Me.”
“Eazi and I have developed a deep musical shorthand over the years,” Dre Skull shared. “Whenever we’re in the studio, we gravitate toward blending the distinct textures of dancehall and Afrobeats. Eventually, those spontaneous creative sessions evolved into the cohesive narrative of this new mixtape.”
For Eazi, this sound feels like a homecoming. He cites influential Nigerian konto artists like Baba Fryo and Marvellous Benji as his early gateways to the genre—a passion that ultimately birthed his signature “Zaggadat” catchphrase, a nod to Beenie Man. “I’m drawn to the raw, unfiltered intensity of this music,” Eazi explains. “It feels like a truly authentic form of expression, and it allows me to explore a different dimension of my artistry.”
“Lambo” serves as the perfect showcase for this cross-continental collaboration. The track marries a thunderous, low-end bassline with Eazi’s fluid lyrical delivery, bridging the gap between Jamaican patois and Nigerian pidgin. “It’s designed for the street dance culture,” notes Dre Skull. “Kartel was the only choice for this record; he brings a natural, authoritative edge that perfectly balances Eazi’s melodic approach.”
Yard & Yanga is a natural progression for both artists, combining Skull’s seasoned expertise—honed through his pivotal work on seminal albums like Vybz Kartel’s Kingston Story and Popcaan’s Where We Come From—with Eazi’s forward-thinking approach to African pop. The project’s visual identity is equally deliberate, featuring hand-drawn cover art by U.K. artist Kione Grandison, which draws from the rich tapestry of West African and Caribbean folk traditions.
This mixtape follows a storied string of successful releases from Eazi, including About to Blow and the Life Is Eazi series. “I approached this with a very specific, lighthearted creative philosophy,” says Eazi. “It feels like a natural evolution of my discography.” Yard & Yanga is slated for release later this year through the joint partnership of Dre Skull’s Mixpak Records and Eazi’s own emPawa Africa label.
Stream the new single “Lambo” below.
