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Podcast

Afrobeats Intelligence

75 episodesLatest 1 day agoNew episode
Recorded in NigeriaAbout AfricaEnglishMusicMusic InterviewsMusic History
Created and hosted by award-winning Nigerian journalist Joey Akan, Afrobeats Intelligence is the podcast extension of the popular music newsletter, Afrobeats Intelligence. Presented by OkayAfrica and sponsored by premium cognac brand Martell, Afrobeats Intelligence explores the intersection of art, humanity, and the processes that give birth to African sonic excellence. Through eclectic interviews that spotlight creativity from Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and beyond, Joey invites listeners every other Friday to take a snapshot into the soul of an industry pushing toward global greatness. Together, we examine the past, present, and future of African music, democratizing access to the ideas, people, and movements shaping its evolution. Follow Joey's Substack: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com

Episodes

  1. Alhaji Popping: Excellence, Strategy & Building in Entertainment

    In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Alhaji Popping sits down with Joey Akan for a wide-ranging conversation about the principles that have shaped his career across entertain…

    S5 E1401:15:44
  2. TG Omori on Greatness, Creativity, Legacy & The Future of Music Videos

    In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits with TG Omori, one of the most prolific and influential music video directors of his generation, for a raw conversation ab…

    S5 E1355:53
  3. Shoday on Hit Songs, Industry Pressure & Building a Lasting Career

    In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising stars, Shoday, to unpack the journey behind his breakout run. From the viral suc…

    S5 E1201:11:12
  4. MAVO on Escaladizzy, Building His Own Lane & What It Means to Lead a New Generation

    In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with rising Afrobeats artist MAVO, the optometrist turned pop star who has quietly built one of the most distinctive…

    01:03:49
  5. Dr. Sid on Mo’Hits, Career Pivots & The Reality of Longevity in Afrobeats

    In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with veteran artist and longtime friend of the show, Dr. Sid. Dr. Sid reflects on his journey, from choosing music ov…

    S5 E1001:18:45
  6. Excel Joab: Nigerian Music Industry ROI, What We Didn’t Learn from Afrobeats to the World & The “Now What” Moment

    In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Excel Joab, Senior Manager of A&R and Artist Development at AWAL (Sony Music) for West Africa, former Content Acquisition Manager at Boom…

    S5 E901:09:17
  7. Ladipoe: What Stayed the Same in Afrobeats, Rap Beef, & New Album

    In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Ladipoe , Mavin Records signee, Headies award-winning rapper, and one of the leading voices in Nigerian hip-hop and Afrobeats, reflects o…

    S5 E801:21:20
  8. Wale Davies (Tec): Palmwine Pioneer, Show Dem Camp Legend & BAFTA-Winning Writer of My Father's Shadow

    On this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with Wale Davies (Tec), one half of the revered rap duo Show Dem Camp, cultural architect of the Palmwine Music movem…

    S5 E701:15:33
  9. Shallipopi on Auracle, Global Success, Creating a Sub-Genre & Working with Wizkid

    In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence (powered by Martell 🥃), host Joey Akan sits down with Shallipopi, the Pluto originator who has rapidly become one of Afrobeats’ most dist…

    S5 E657:03
  10. Joshua Baraka on East Africa's Takeover, the Decline of Afrobeats & AI in Music

    Uganda has always had the culture. Now it has the moment. Joshua Baraka is the Kampala-bred artist making a case for East Africa's place at the center of the global music conversat…

    S5 E201:11:45
  11. Kcee on The Limpopo Anthem & Ojapiano

    From the gritty streets of Ajegunle in Lagos, where he once dreamed of a football career, to winning the Star Quest talent show with his duo KC Presh in 2002, Kcee has spent over t…

    S5 E401:10:40
  12. Aniko on Revolutionizing Nigeria's Rave and House Music Scene

    In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with rising DJ and cultural curator Aniko, one of the key figures shaping Lagos’ growing electronic music and rave sc…

    S5 E301:09:06
  13. Wale on the Cost of Fame, Plans for Nigeria, Afrobeats’ Breakthrough Moment

    In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with rapper Wale for a candid conversation about identity, culture, and the global rise of Afrobeats. Raised in a Nig…

    S5 E201:09:41
  14. Sarz talks Global Success, Making Pop hits, and Cultural Ownership

    In this season opener, Joey Akan sits down with the legendary, award-winning producer Sarz for an unfiltered deep dive into the mechanics of a hit record and the evolving DNA of Af…

    S5 E101:19:21
  15. Afrobeats Intelligence Returns with Season 5 Today!Trailer

    Hosted by award-winning Nigerian journalist and music critic Joey Akan, Afrobeats Intelligence Season 5 dives deeper into the stories, systems, and sonic architecture shaping Afrob…

    S502:18
  16. Peruzzi on Losing His Mom, Industry, Making “Assurance” & “Risky” w Davido | Afrobeats Intelligence

    In this unfiltered episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, award-winning host Joey Akan sits down with Peruzzi, the DMW star and songwriting mastermind behind some of Afrobeats’ biggest…

    52:39
  17. Director Pink On Creating Afrobeats’ Most Watched Music Videos | Afrobeats Intelligence

    In this candid episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with Director Pink—the award-winning creative force behind some of Afrobeats' most visually stunning and cultu…

    01:09:14
  18. Lanre Masha on Global Deals, Artist Breakouts & Afrobeats Money | Afrobeats Intelligence

    In this insightful episode of Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast, host Joey Akan sits down with Lanre Marsha, Director of West Africa for The Orchard, a global music distribution power…

    01:16:53
  19. Ruger on Making Blown Boy Ru, Getting Co-Signed by Wizkid & His New Label | Afrobeats Intelligence

    What does it take to bounce back and build from scratch? In this new episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits with Nigerian dancehall star Ruger—the artist behind hits lik…

    01:03:22
  20. Young Jonn on Life After Grief, Building Hits, TikTok Charts & World Tours | Afrobeats Intelligence

    “Olamide taught me work ethic.” In this captivating episode of Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast, host Joey Akan sits down with Nigerian sensation Young Jonn, the hitmaker who transit…

    01:02:01
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