Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast is a podcast spin-off of the popular music newsletter, Afrobeats Intelligence. It's focused on African music and the sprawling ecosystem that inspires and supports creativity from Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and more. Hosted by multi-award-winning music journalist Joey Akan, the podcast explores the intersection of art, humanity and processes that give birth to African sonic excellence. Expansive interviews, the most informed and diverse views, and a snapshot into the soul of an industry pushing for global success. We dig into the past, the present and the future, democratizing the core of African music.
S3E3: Blaqbonez — Emeka Must Shine
Blaqbonez, is a Nigerian rapper signed to Chocolate City. highly regarded for his distinct rap style as, well as his creative ingenuity, his latest album, "Emeka Must Shine," is out now.
12/14/2023 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 45 seconds
S3E2: Mr Eazi — African Music Business Genius
Mr Eazi is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record executive. He is the pioneer of Banku music, a fusion of sound he describes as a mixture of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions and patterns. His latest album, "The Evil Genius" is out now.
12/4/2023 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 43 seconds
S3E1: Shallipopi — How To Own An Afrobeats Planet (Pluto)
Crown Uzama, known professionally as Shallipopi, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He gained mainstream attention with the release of "Obapluto" in 2023. Shallipopi is signed to Dvpper Music Distribution, a Nigerian music record distribution founded by Damillola Akinwunmi. He is best known internationally for his 2023 hit single "Elon Musk", which peaked at No. 1 on the Nigeria Top 100 Apple Music. His new album, "Presido La Pluto" is out now.
11/20/2023 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 54 seconds
#S2E11: Tempoe — How To Make Global Afrobeats Hits
Tempoe is a Nigerian record producer, DJ, singer and songwriter. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Tempoe is popularly known for the tag "MÄD!,"in all of his music productions. His production of Ckay's breakout hit, "Love Nwantiti" received global recognition. Tempoe's client list is chocked full of hits for superstars including Omah Lay, Joeboy, CKay, Jason Derulo, Victony amongst others.
5/5/2023 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 40 seconds
#S2E10: Ayra Starr — Nigeria's Celestial Being
Ayra Starr is a Beninese-born Nigerian singer signed to Mavin Records. After launching a fashion career at the age of 16, she pivoted to music, covering several songs by popular artists on Instagram, before sharing her first original song in December 2019. This caught the eye of record executive Don Jazzy, who signed her to his record label Mavin Records. In this episode, Ayra seats with music journalist, Joey Akan, talking about finding herself and her voice via music.
4/27/2023 • 1 hour, 54 seconds
#S2E9: Sarkodie — The Weight of Legacy
Sarkodie is a Ghanaian rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur from Tema. Buoyed by a lifetime of groundbreaking success, he is also considered one of the major proponents of the Azonto genre and dance and one of the most successful African rappers of all time.In this episode, he seats with music journalist, Joey Akan. Sarkodie talks about working post-humously with Bob Marley, the weight of responsibility and how he engages legacy.
3/16/2023 • 37 minutes, 11 seconds
#S2E8: General Pype — Forever Born A Champion
General Pype is a pioneering Nigerian reggae/dancehall artist and songwriter. He gained international prominence through his debut single, “Keep It Cool” in 2007, which featured on the Golden Globe-winning American television series “The Shield,” and through his 2009 signature hit, “Champion." Now in Hollywood, General Pype was a set designer on Black Panther, Samaritan and Guardians of the Galaxy. Find Afrobeats Inteliigence Newsletters here: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substac...Stay connected with Afrobeats Intelligence here:Sign up for our audio podcasts here!http://afrobeatsintelligence.podlink....Website: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substac...Instagram: http://Instagram.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow)Twitter: http://twitter.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow)Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Afrobeats Intelligence TikTok: Afrobeats IntelligenceAbout Afrobeats Intelligence :Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast is a podcast spin-off of the popular music newsletter, Afrobeats Intelligence. It's focused on African music and the sprawling ecosystem that inspires and supports creativity from Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and more. Hosted by multi-award-winning music journalist Joey Akan, the podcast explores the intersection of art, humanity and processes that give birth to African sonic excellence. Expansive interviews, the most informed and diverse views, and a snapshot into the soul of an industry pushing for global success. We dig into the past, the present and the future, democratizing the core of African music.
2/1/2023 • 2 hours, 6 minutes, 2 seconds
#S2E7: Tekno — How To Not Lose Your Voice
Tekno (Augustine Miles Kelechi Okechukwu) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and music producer.In this episode, he seats with music journalist, Joey Akan, for a rare career interview. Tekno talks about leaving Abuja, signing in Lagos, navigating superstardom, losing his voice and almost unaliving himself from the sidelines of inactivity.Lots of great stories that you don’t want to miss!!Find Afrobeats Inteliigence Newsletters here: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substac...Stay connected with Afrobeats Intelligence here:Sign up for our audio podcasts here!http://afrobeatsintelligence.podlink....Website: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substac...Instagram: http://Instagram.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow)Twitter: http://twitter.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow)Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Afrobeats Intelligence (Like) TikTok: Afrobeats IntelligenceAbout Afrobeats Intelligence :Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast is a podcast spin-off of the popular music newsletter, Afrobeats Intelligence. It's focused on African music and the sprawling ecosystem that inspires and supports creativity from Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and more. Hosted by multi-award-winning music journalist Joey Akan, the podcast explores the intersection of art, humanity and processes that give birth to African sonic excellence. Expansive interviews, the most informed and diverse views, and a snapshot into the soul of an industry pushing for global success. We dig into the past, the present and the future, democratizing the core of African music.
1/27/2023 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 45 seconds
#S2E6: AV — Benin Boy, Lagos Star
Adindu Victor, popularly known as AV, is a singer and songwriter who comes from a music and entertainment enthusiastic family, ‘the Adindu’s’. With a late guitarist father, and years of leading a dance group in Benin, the Nigerian star moved to Lagos to see the lights, cameras and the crowd going wild.Find Afrobeats Inteliigence Newsletters here: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substac...Stay connected with Afrobeats Intelligence here: Sign up for our audio podcasts here!http://afrobeatsintelligence.podlink....Website: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substac...Instagram: http://Instagram.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow) Twitter: http://twitter.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow) Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Afrobeats Intelligence (Like) TikTok: Afrobeats IntelligenceAbout Afrobeats Intelligence :Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast is a podcast spin-off of the popular music newsletter, Afrobeats Intelligence. It's focused on African music and the sprawling ecosystem that inspires and supports creativity from Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and more. Hosted by multi-award-winning music journalist Joey Akan, the podcast explores the intersection of art, humanity and processes that give birth to African sonic excellence. Expansive interviews, the most informed and diverse views, and a snapshot into the soul of an industry pushing for global success. We dig into the past, the present and the future, democratizing the core of African music.
1/13/2023 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 50 seconds
#S2E5: Don Jazzy — African Music Royalty
Don Jazzy is a Nigerian record producer and cultural entrepreneur. He is the founder and the CEO of Mavin Records, and was co-owner of the now-defunct Mo' Hits Records record label with D'banj. In this episode, he seats with music journalist, Joey Akan, chopping it up for the greatest interview ever. Don Jazzy talks about grieving, creating Mavins and running it for a decade, reinventing Himself, signing and grooming superstars and much much more!Lots of great stories that you don’t want to miss!!Find Afrobeats Inteliigence Newsletters here: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com/Stay connected with Afrobeats Intelligence here: Sign up for our audio podcasts here!http://afrobeatsintelligence.podlink.to/New-Episodes+ Subscribe now: http://bit.ly/REVOLT_Subscribe_NowWebsite: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com/Instagram: http://Instagram.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow) Twitter: http://twitter.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow) Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Afrobeats Intelligence (Like) TikTok: Afrobeats IntelligenceAbout Afrobeats Intelligence :Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast is a podcast spin-off of the popular music newsletter, Afrobeats Intelligence. It's focused on African music and the sprawling ecosystem that inspires and supports creativity from Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and more. Hosted by multi-award-winning music journalist Joey Akan, the podcast explores the intersection of art, humanity and processes that give birth to African sonic excellence. Expansive interviews, the most informed and diverse views, and a snapshot into the soul of an industry pushing for global success. We dig into the past, the present and the future, democratizing the core of African music.Beyonce, Rihanna, Lil Yachty, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Solange, and many more.
12/9/2022 • 2 hours, 6 minutes, 12 seconds
#S2E4: Larry Gaaga — Afrobeats Godfather
Larry Gaaga is an Artist, producer, songwriter and record label executive from Nigeria. He is also Vice President, A&R, at Def Jam Africa, a division of Universal Music Group (UMG). Gaaga began his career in 2010 after joining YSG Entertainment, and was later promoted to General Manager. He went on to forge a career as both a performer and a manager of the rapper Vector. Gaaga has released multiple singles, including his first major feature, 'Gaga Shuffle' with 2Baba, 'Doe' featuring Davido, 'Low' featuring Wizkid, 'Slow Burner' featuring Joeboy, and 'Baba Nla' featuring 2baba, Burna Boy and D’Banj.Afrobeats Intelligence is an ad-free podcast made possible by the generosity of listeners. For now, I’ve made everything available for free, but if you’ve been enjoying it, please consider supporting it financially by donating with the link: https://tryflok.com/g/JoeyAkanFor more: Subscribe to Afrobeats Intelligence Newsletter: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com/Follow Afrobeats Intelligence: Twitter: https://twitter.com/afrobeatsintel/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afrobeatsintel/
10/19/2022 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 38 seconds
#S2E3: CKay — Man, Music, Emotions
CKay is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer signed to Warner Music South Africa, and Atlantic Records. Formerly signed to Chocolate City, his international hit single "Love Nwantiti", released in 2019 became the first African song in history to surpass one billion streams on Spotify. With array of certifications across multiple countries, he dominates the Afrobeats scoreboard, picking up plaques in every major music market. His debut album, "Sad Romance," is out now.Afrobeats Intelligence is an ad-free podcast made possible by the generosity of listeners. For now, I’ve made everything available for free, but if you’ve been enjoying it, please consider supporting it financially by donating with the link: https://tryflok.com/g/JoeyAkanFor more: Subscribe to Afrobeats Intelligence Newsletter: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com/Follow Afrobeats Intelligence: Twitter: https://twitter.com/afrobeatsintel/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afrobeatsintel/
9/30/2022 • 1 hour, 46 minutes, 9 seconds
#S2E2: Erigga — The Lost Paper Boi
Erigga is a Nigerian singer and rapper who has dedicated his career so far to the elevation of rap music in South-South Nigeria. After distinguishing himself in pidgin rap from his base in Warri, the hometown hero has packed out stadiums, enjoys grassroot love, is certified by the streets, and continues to represent the best of Niger Delta hip hop culture. His fifth studio album, "The Lost Boy," is out now. For more: Subscribe to Afrobeats Intelligence Newsletter: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com/Follow Afrobeats Intelligence: Twitter: https://twitter.com/afrobeatsintel/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afrobeatsintel/
9/22/2022 • 1 hour, 57 minutes, 48 seconds
#S2E1: BNXN — Bad Since Forever
BNXN (pronounced as Benson) and formerly known as Buju, is a Nigerian Afro-fusion singer and songwriter. A master of melodies, his latest EP, "Bad Since 97," is a bouyant exercise in self-mythology, introspection and creative growth. For more: Subscribe to Afrobeats Intelligence Newsletter: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com/Follow Afrobeats Intelligence: Twitter: https://twitter.com/afrobeatsintel/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afrobeatsintel/
9/15/2022 • 1 hour, 54 minutes, 2 seconds
#17: Omah Lay — Embrace Your Demons
Omah Lay is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer who consolidated his mainstream acceptance after his self-produced single, "Bad Influence," soundtracked the pandemic. After two collaborations with Justin Bieber and a debilitating struggle with his demons from Port Harcourt, he's poured his suffering into his latest album, Boy Alone.
7/27/2022 • 2 hours, 11 seconds
#16: Falz — Nigeria's Bahddest Creator
Falz is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter and actor who began his career while in secondary school, but has progressed to become accomplished in music, acting and comedy. He currently owns an independent record label, called Bahd Guys Records. His sixth studio album, "BAHD" is out now.
7/20/2022 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 29 seconds
#15: Jesse Jagz — Hip Hop's Rasta Emperor
Jesse Jagz is a Nigerian rapper, producer and songwriter. After joining Chocolate City in 2010, Jagz released his debut studio album, "Jag of All Tradez." in the same year. He left Chocolate City in 2013 and announced the launch of his independent label, Jagz Nation. Jagz released his second studio album Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come in 2013; it included singles such as 'Redemption,' 'Bad Girl,' 'Sex & Scotch' and 'God on the Mic.' His third studio album, Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company, was released in 2014. He returned to Chocolate City in 2015 but left the laxbel again prior to releasing his fourth studio album Odysseus in 2017. In May 2020, he released a 5-track EP titled "Garba."
7/7/2022 • 2 hours, 20 minutes, 30 seconds
#14: JAE5 — From London to Lagos
JAE5 is a British-Ghanaian record producer and mixing engineer from Plaistow, East London. He is a Grammy Award-winning producer and is signed to Black Butter Records. Jae5 is popularly credited with pioneering the fusion genre of Afro Swing. His sound is described as a fusion between grime, afrobeats, bashment, and dancehall.
6/29/2022 • 45 minutes, 5 seconds
#13: Whitemoney — From Barbershop to Stardom
Whitemoney is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and reality TV star. He is the winner of Big Brother Naija season 6. Prior to his mainstream attention, Whitemoney was entrepreneurial, launching a string of businesses including catering, commercial photography, hairstyling, generator repairs, fixing telecommunication towers, and international trade in shoes.
6/9/2022 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 20 seconds
#12: Brymo — Nigeria's Maverick Scientist
Brymo is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and author. With 12 studio albums, two live albums, EPs and a string of packed out shows, he’s regarded as one of Nigeria’s most talented musicians, and perhaps, his generation’s most polarizing. His latest album Theta is available in all stores.
6/1/2022 • 1 hour, 44 minutes, 9 seconds
#11: Godwin Tom — The Vice-Chancellor of Afrobeats
Godwin Tom is a master talent manager, entrepreneur, elite music business tutor and founder of the Music Business Academy for Africa. Over the years, he has successfully worked with a range of top-tier talents including Wizkid, Davido, Waje, MI, Wande Coal, Bez, Ice Prince, Bez, Show Dem Camp, Beverly Naya, Yung6ix, "Jessy Jagz, Rooftop MCs, Solid Star, Ayo Jay, Goldie, and many others.Godwin has dedicated the last 5 years of his career to developing and training future stakeholders and leaders of the entertainment industry, and has founded Music Business Academy for Africa, the continent’s first-ever music business school, dedicated to seeding new music execs, and growing the competency levels of established music business professionals. In partnership with MusicAlly, he is currently facilitating the British Council's Creative Enterprise Support Programme (CESP) for Music in Nigeria.He is also the author of the eBook series "Journey Of A Learner" a 12 part ebook series about navigating the African entertainment industry.
5/27/2022 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 45 seconds
#10: D'banj — Aging As A Legend
D'banj is a Nigerian singer, rapper, businessman and the founder of the defunct Mo' Hits Records with producer Don Jazzy. He has several music awards, including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009, Best International Act: Africa at the 2011 BET Awards, and Best-selling African Artist at the 2014 World Music Awards, Evolution award at the 2015 MTV Africa Music awards. D'banj is best known internationally for his 2012 summer hit "Oliver Twist," an uptempo dance fusion of Afrobeats and electronic dance music that topped the African charts in 2011 and was a top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012 reaching No. 2 on the UK R&B chart.
5/19/2022 • 1 hour, 56 minutes, 15 seconds
#9: Chidinma — Becoming God's Minister
Chidinma is a Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter. In 2010, she rose to stardom after winning the third season of Project Fame West Africa. She’s gone on to dominate pop music with a string of hits including ‘Emi ni baller’ and ‘Kedike.’ In May 2021, after a prolonged absence from public life, Chidinma announced her switch to Gospel Music. Leaving her pop career behind and becoming God’s vessel. She speaks about her transition to faith-based art, her struggle to fit in, and her transformation into a minister of God.
5/12/2022 • 54 minutes, 41 seconds
#8: Foza Fawehinmi — The Law of Afrobeats
Oyinkansola Foza Fawehinmi is an award-winning lawyer and entertainment business executive currently based in Lagos, Nigeria. She's the president of Digital Music Commerce and Exchange Limited, an intellectual property valuation, management and administration company serving sub-Saharan Africa. Over the last 9years, she has served as a legal advisory and business consultant for some of Africa’s most reputable entertainment companies and artists like Chocolate City Music, Premier Records, Boomplay Music, Infinix Nigeria, K1 De Ultimate, Teni, Adekunle Gold, The Sarz Academy, Sarz and more.
5/7/2022 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 30 seconds
#7: Zlatan Ibile - Ikorodu To The World
Zlatan Ibile is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. Zlatan made his number on the African music industry when he pioneered and rode the Zanku subgenre into a cultural moment for the continent. We speak of his origins in Ikorodu, a far-flung place on the outskirts of Lagos, where dreams are seldom pursued.Subscribe to podcast to receive it each week.
4/29/2022 • 2 hours, 54 minutes, 58 seconds
#6 Victony: Singing Through The Darkness
Victony, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter who officially kicked off his music career in 2017 with the release of a mixtape onSoundCloud titled "The Outlaw King." He started off solely as a rapper and later honed his skills and developed dynamic artistry that perfectly swings between different genres such as R&B, Trap, Afropop and other genres.In 2021, Victony was involved in a car accident that almost claimed his legs and had him in a wheelchair for months. Despite this setback, Victony managed to put out several acclaimed singles during the year including 'Pray' and the Mayorkun hit collab 'Holy Father'. He also collaborated with Grammy-winning producer Rexxie to release a dance capsule, 'Nataraja.' Victony sees his music as the best language to communicate in today's world and hopes to change the world with his music in its truest form and will propagate his art on a wider scale in 2022!
4/22/2022 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 22 seconds
#5 - Chike: Boo of the Booless, Nollywood, Self-Actualization
Chike is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and actor. Best regarded for his critically and commercially acclaimed album, Boo Of The Booless, he first hit the mainstream via Nigerian reality competition, Project Fame West Africa and The Voice Nigeria. Chike made his acting debut as Mayowa Badmus on the Africa Magic Showcase telenovela, Battleground, and has gone on to star in big-budget feature films.
4/14/2022 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 31 seconds
#4 - Osagie Osarenz: Wizkid, Artist Management, Service
Osagie Osarenz is an African music industry professional. A famed talent manager, and acute operator in African sound culture and business, she's currently the Director of A&R and Operations at ONErpm, a full-service data-driven music business solutions provider, helping artists succeed in today's global music market. Osagie's contribution in the music industry has shepherded the discovery and growth of superstars including Wizkid, Skales, Timaya, Aramide, and more!
4/7/2022 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 17 seconds
#3 - T.G Omori
T.G Omori is Nigeria's most in-form music video director. The elite creative pushes the most expressive and progressive aesthetics in Afrobeats. He hs the heart and pulse of Afrobeats in a chokehold, pushing the edgiest and creative videos from Nigeria, and beyond. The is the guy who's giving 'Afrobeats to the world,' the visual treatment it deserves.
3/30/2022 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 9 seconds
#2 - Basketmouth & Duktor Sett
Nigerian comic, Basketmouth's successful return to music has surprised Africans, with two chart-topping albums (Yabasi and Horoscopes) crowding the scoreboard with his wins. A pop culture legend, Basketmouth has spent years leading comedy on the continent, racking up awards, and defining a generation of Nigerian entertainers. He appears on the AI Podcast with collaborator, friend and prolific producer, Duktor Sett. They explore their collaboration, partnerships and how to make a great Afrobeats track!
3/23/2022 • 1 hour, 50 minutes, 51 seconds
#1 - Asa
Asa is a superstar from Nigeria. Championed around the globe for her expansive approach to music, she’s Africa’s leading progressive artist, with a catalogue that runs through 5 albums, capturing the soul of her people. It’s hard to think of an artist from West Africa who has traversed as many spaces—with class, creativity, and soul—as she has. With a voice as rich as her catalogue of inspirations, the Nigerian native singer-songwriter and multi-platinum selling recording artist fuses Pop, Afro pop-driven, and soft-soul, taking cues from cross-continental greats– from Fela Kuti to Miriam Makeba; King Sunny Adé to Sade; Tina Turner to Lenny Kravitz.A soaring vocalist and masterful guitarist, Asa is a calming presence blending Parisian jazz, Yoruba folk and soul into her albums. She writes personal lyrics ranging from her love life and mental health to her extensive travels and interactions with people.