Cruel Santino (Osayaba Andrew Ize-Iyamu) is a Nigerian multidisciplinary artist working across music, film, fashion, and interactive media. He began writing, rapping, and directing music videos as a teenager, developing a visual style shaped by Nollywood, anime, gaming, and internet subcultures. Santino’s work draws on serial storytelling and long-form worldbuilding, influenced by artists such as Junji Ito and Hideo Kojima. His 2019 album, Mandy & The Jungle, served as a breakout, with singles “Rapid Fire” and “Sparky”, establishing Santino’s distinct sound and visual style on a global stage. In 2022, he released Subaru Boys: FINAL HEAVEN, a 21-track conceptual project that launched Subaru World, a fictional universe that has since unfolded across music, Twitch livestreams, NTS radio broadcasts, digital media, experiences, and more. The album featured Amaarae, Skepta, and Koffee and was listed as one of the Albums of the Year by Rolling Stone and Fader. Santino has also collaborated with Mowalola, Tyler, the Creator, and Odumodublvck, plus performed alongside Rema, FKA Twigs, and Blood Orange. His work has been presented at ICA London, MoMA PS1, Triennale di Milano, Sole DXB, and featured in Pitchfork, GQ, Billboard, NME, Crack, and Dazed.
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Cruel Santino plays alternative Nigerian music, pioneering the alté scene with a genre-bending mix of afrobeats, electronic textures, and R&B.
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His conceptual releases like Subaru Boys: FINAL HEAVEN and Mandy & The Jungle are celebrated for immersive worldbuilding inspired by anime, gaming, and Nollywood.
