Osayaba Andrew Ize-Iyamu, better known as Cruel Santino, is a talented Nigerian artist who is a member of the Monster Boys collective.
He has signed with Interscope Records in collaboration with Monster Boy, Love Renaissance, and Warner Chappell Music, along with music producers Genio Bambino and GMK.
Santino gained fame for his debut album “Mandy & The Jungle,” which showcased the alté style of fashion and music with popular tracks like “Rapid Fire.”
FACTS ABOUT CRUEL SANTINO
- FULL NAME: Osayaba Andrew Ize-Iyamu
- DATE OF BIRTH: June 3, 1992
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Lagos, Nigeria
- NATIONALITY: Nigerian
- OCCUPATIONS: Singer, Songwriter, Rapper, Director
- LABELS: Monster Boy,Interscope, LVRNWarner Chappell
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Osayaba Andrew Ize-Iyamu was born in Lagos on June 3, 1992, and raised in Ikeja. As a teenager, he served as a drama coordinator in high school.
After graduating, his freestyle rap skills gained recognition across the city.
In an interview with British GQ, he mentioned that listening to Drake’s debut album, Thank Me Later, inspired him to pursue a similar path.
His father played a crucial role in building his musical foundation during his formative years.
CAREER
From 2011 to 2016, Osayaba, initially known as Ozzy B, embarked on his musical career as a rapper on SoundCloud.
A key highlight of this period was the release of his 21-track mixtape “Diaries of a Loner” on September 13, 2011, which was well-received in Nigeria.
In 2016, he transitioned to the name Santi and released his first EP, “Suzie’s Funeral,” under the Monster Boy label.
A significant turning point in Santi’s career came with the collaborative track “Gangsta Fear,” featuring Odunsi (The Engine) and infused with afro-dancehall elements.
The song, along with its visually captivating music video directed by Falomo and Santi, gained traction within Nigeria and the UK’s alternative music scenes.
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 alongside Show Dem Camp, Bez, and others.
In January 2018, he appeared on the cover of Guardian Life Magazine’s Vibes Of The New Age edition with other artists.
As Santi, he released “Rapid Fire” in November 2018, featuring Shane Eagle, Tomi Agape, and Amaarae, and directed the music video himself.
After interviews with Julie Adenuga and Ebro Darden, his music received global acclaim.
That same year, he entered into a partnership with the North Carolina label Immaculate Taste and re-released “Suzie’s Funeral.”
On May 17, 2019, Cruel Santino launched his debut studio album “Mandy & The Jungle,” which included collaborations with artists such as DRAM and GoldLink.
The album, produced by Odunsi (The Engine) and other prominent producers, received positive reviews from The Guardian.
Shortly after the album’s release, he became part of the Love Renaissance team. He also directed music videos for artists like GoldLink.
In November 2019, he performed at the Day n Vegas Festival, opening for Tyler, The Creator and Doja Cat.
In March 2020, Santi announced plans to develop a television series centered on Nigerian youth culture.
By May 2020, he switched his stage name to Cruel Santino after encountering a naming conflict.
By June 2020, he revealed a collaboration with Interscope Records and Monster Boy, dropping “End of The Wicked” featuring Octavian.
A significant moment occurred on February 17, 2021, when the Monster Boys collective (Cruel Santino, GMK, and Genio Bambino) signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music in partnership with Love Renaissance, marking a crucial milestone in their musical journey.
On March 4, 2022, Santino released his highly anticipated studio album called “Subaru Boys: FINAL HEAVEN” under Interscope Records, featuring a diverse array of artists such as Brazy, Maison2500, Bratzbih, and others.
The album received critical acclaim, securing a spot on Rolling Stone’s list of The 100 Best Albums of 2022.
Continuing his success, on February 10, 2023, Santino dropped the catchy track “Showmetheway!” featuring Poco Lee and produced by GMK from Monster Boy, highlighting his adaptability and skill in the music scene.
PERSONAL LIFE
Cruel Santino leans towards maintaining his personal life away from the public eye and has not publicly talked about any romantic relationships in interviews or public statements.
The majority of attention on his life is centered on his music career and creative partnerships, instead of his romantic pursuits.
