Cruel Santino, born Osayaba Andrew Ize-Iyamu is a talented Nigerian artist who is part of the Monster Boys collective. Alongside music producers Genio Bambino and GMK, he has signed with Interscope Records in collaboration with Monster Boy, Love Renaissance, and Warner Chappell Music. Santino gained recognition for his debut album “Mandy & The Jungle,” which brought the alté style of fashion and music to the forefront with hits like “Rapid Fire.”
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Osayaba Andrew Ize-Iyamu |
| Date Of Birth: | June 3, 1992 |
| Place Of Birth: | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Occupation: | Singer, Songwriter, Rapper, Director |
| Labels: | Monster Boy,Interscope,LVRNWarner Chappell |
| Net Worth: | $1 million |
Early Life And Education
Osayaba Andrew Ize-Iyamu entered the world in Lagos on June 3, 1992, and grew up in Ikeja. During his teenage years, he took on the role of a drama coordinator in high school.
Post-graduation, his freestyle-rap skills garnered city-wide recognition. Reflecting on his early influences, he once shared in a British GQ interview, “I listened to Drake’s debut album, Thank Me Later, and hearing him sing and rap made me believe I could pursue a similar path.” His musical foundation was laid by his father during his formative years.
Career
In his musical journey from 2011 to 2016, initially under the alias Ozzy B, Osayaba commenced his career as a rapper on SoundCloud.
His Notable milestones during this period include the launch of his 21-track mixtape “Diaries of a Loner” on September 13, 2011, receiving praise for its quality within Nigeria. Transitioning to Santi in 2016, he released his first EP, “Suzie’s Funeral,” under the Monster Boy imprint.
“Gangsta Fear,” a collaborative track featuring Odunsi (The Engine) with afro-dancehall vibes, marked a turning point in Santi’s career. The song, alongside its visually striking music video directed by Falomo and Santi himself, gained popularity in the alternative music circuits in Nigeria and the UK.
In 2017, Cruel Santino performed at Skepta’s Our Homecoming concert in Nigeria and had his songs “Jungle Fever” and “Gangsta Fear” featured on OVO Sound’s Episode 40.
He also shared the stage with Burna Boy, Skepta, and J Hus at the Nativeland concert and performed at The Palmwine Music Fest with Show Dem Camp, Bez, and more. In January 2018, he was featured on the cover of Guardian Life Magazine’s Vibes Of The New Age edition with other artists.
As Santi in November 2018, he released “Rapid Fire” featuring Shane Eagle, Tomi Agape, and Amaarae through Monster Boy and directed the music video himself.
Following interviews with Julie Adenuga and Ebro Darden, his music gained international recognition. In the same year, he signed a partnership deal with North Carolina-based label Immaculate Taste and re-released “Suzie’s Funeral.”
On May 17, 2019, Cruel Santino released his debut studio album “Mandy & The Jungle,” featuring DRAM, GoldLink, and other artists. The album, with production from Odunsi(The Engine) and other notable producers, was praised by The Guardian.
Shortly after the album’s release, he was welcomed to the Love Renaissance family. He went on to direct music videos for artists like GoldLink. In November 2019, he performed at the Day n Vegas Festival and opened for Tyler, The Creator and Doja Cat.
In March 2020, Santi revealed plans to create a TV show about Nigerian youth culture. Later in May 2020, he changed his stage name to Cruel Santino due to a naming conflict.
In June 2020, he announced a joint venture deal with Interscope Records and Monster Boy, releasing “End of The Wicked” featuring Octavian.
In a significant move on 17th February 2021, the Monster Boys collective – consisting of Cruel Santino, GMK, and Genio Bambino – inked a publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music in collaboration with Love Renaissance. This partnership marked a pivotal moment in their music journey.
Fast forward to 4th March 2022, Santino dropped his highly anticipated studio album titled “Subaru Boys: FINAL HEAVEN” under the label of Interscope Records.
The album featured an impressive lineup of guest appearances including Brazy, Maison2500, Bratzbih, Seo, Ebee, Koffee, Gus Dapperton, Amaarae, Chi Virgo, Solis, and Skepta. The record garnered critical acclaim, earning a spot on Rolling Stone’s prestigious list of The 100 Best Albums of 2022.
Building on this success, on 10th February 2023, Santino dropped the infectious track “Showmetheway!!” featuring Poco Lee, with production credits to GMK from Monster Boy, showcasing his versatility and talent in the music industry.
Artistry
Santino, formerly Ozzy B or Santi, is a versatile artist blending R&B, soul, rap, Afrobeats, and indie music. Toye Sokunbi of The Fader hailed him as the future of Afropop in June 2019.
Inspired by Santigold and artists like Beenie Man and Young Thug, he has a unique style. Back in 2011, Wizkid considered him one of Nigeria’s top rappers and he has appeared in a Nokia commercial with Muna and Phenom.
Personal Life
There is limited public information regarding Cruel Santino’s romantic relationships. He tends to keep his personal life private and has not openly discussed any romantic partners in interviews or public statements.
Most of the focus on his life revolves around his music career and creative collaborations, rather than his romantic endeavors.
Cruel Santino Net Worth
His estimated net worth is around $1 million, attributed to his successful music career and partnerships with major labels like Interscope Records.
Discography
Cruel Santino, a prominent figure in the Nigerian music scene, has released a variety of albums, EPs, and singles:
Albums
- Mandy & The Jungle (2019)
- Subaru Boys: FINAL HEAVEN (2022)
EPs
Suzie’s Funeral (2018)
Mixtapes
- Diaries of a Loner (2017)
- Birth of Santi (2019)
Singles
- Gangsta Fear (feat. Odunsi) (2016)
- Jungle Fever (feat. Genio Bambino & Odunsi) (2017)
- Rapid Fire (feat. Shane Eagle, Tomi Agape & Amaarae) (2018)
- End Of The Wicked (feat. Octavian) (2020)
- Showmetheway!! (feat. Poco Lee) (2023)
- Holiday Sniping (2023)
These works showcase his unique style and contributions to the alté genre.
