Afrobeats Intelligence

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 over a ₦45k/month job in 2005, to finding his sound with Eldee, joining Mo’Hits, and beginning his creative partnership with Don Jazzy. He breaks down the making of key records like “Ten Ten” (his transition from rap to si...

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 Boomplay, co-founder of Energize Music, and a key voice in Nigerian music strategy, breaks down the current realities of the Nigerian music industry. He discusses ROI in the business, the lessons we failed to learn from the...

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 on the current state of the genre.  Known for hits like “Know You” with Simi and “Feeling” with Bnxn, and recognised as a key figure in the new wave of Nigerian rap, Ladipoe discusses what has changed in Afrobeats, what h...

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 movement, and now acclaimed screenwriter whose work on My Father's Shadow has earned major international recognition, including a BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut and multiple AMVCA wins (including Best Writing and Best Movi...

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 distinctive and commercially dominant voices. From his 2023 breakout with “Elon Musk” and Planet Pluto, to back-to-back #1 albums Presido La Pluto and Shakespopi, Shallipopi’s momentum shows no signs of slowing. His latest p...

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 conversation, not as a footnote to Afrobeats, but as a creative force with its own sonic identity, emotional depth, and artistic integrity. His breakout hit "Nana" didn't just chart, it made a statement about what East African mu...

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 two decades shaping the sound of Nigerian music. He exploded globally with the infectious 2013 hit “Limpopo,” which became a dancefloor movement, then continued to reinvent himself with club anthems like “Pullover,” “Okos...

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 scene. Known for her bi-monthly Group Therapy events, Aniko has built a community-driven movement that exists alongside, and sometimes outside of, the mainstream Afrobeats ecosystem. Aniko discusses: Her journey from aspir...

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 Nigerian household in Washington, D.C., Wale reflects on how African music shaped his instincts as an artist long before Afrobeats became a global phenomenon. He discusses why he believed early on that African sounds would...

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 African sound. This episode of Afrobeats Intelligence is powered by OkayAfrica, the pulse of African culture, and sponsored by Martell. Don't miss a beat of Season 5. Join the community by subscribing now and tell us your...

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 Afrobeats’ global takeover.  Featuring conversations with Shallipopi, Wale, Sarz, Ladipoe, Kcee, Joshua Baraka, BOJ, Aniko, Dr. Sid, and more, Season 5 delivers sharper insights and bigger access to the artists, executives, a...

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 records. From penning classics like 2Baba’s “Amaka” and Davido’s “Assurance” and “Risky,” to shaping his own standout tracks like “Majesty,” “Gunshot,” and “Southy Love” with Fireboy DML, Peruzzi pulls back the curtain...

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 culturally defining music videos. Known for her storytelling precision, Pink has shaped the visual language of global Nigerian music through her work with artists like Asake, Ayra Starr, Fireboy DML, Joeboy, Ruger, and BNXN....

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 powerhouse. Lanre pulls back the curtain on the Nigerian music industry, offering a masterclass on navigating its challenges and opportunities with integrity and strategy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...

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 like Asiwaju, Girlfriend, and Toma Toma—to break down his evolution from viral sensation to label boss. Fresh off launching his label Blown Boy Entertainment and releasing his new album Blown Boy Ru, Ruger opens up about he...

“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 transitioned from a prolific producer to a chart-topping artist. Known for bangers like “Dada” and his game-changing work with YBNL, Young Jonn shares the raw journey behind his music and his rise to global stages. Young Jonn o...

In this unforgettable episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with the one and only Tiwa Savage — singer, songwriter, and enduring icon of the African music movement. With a career that’s spanned continents and broken barriers, Tiwa gets candid about her journey, from joining Mavin Records to navigating fame, motherhood, and her return to R&B. She opens up about being pregnant while...

“We’re here fighting over the tiniest, most fickle things. When in reality the numbers are not matching up.” In this powerful episode of Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast, host Joey Akan sits down with Nigerian Afrobeats star Lojay, the voice behind global hits like “Monalisa” and “Billions.” Lojay delivers a raw and introspective look at his quest for legacy, his creative process, and the state of t...

“When I blew and started making money, I went broke.” In this gripping episode of Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast, host Joey Akan sits down with Nigerian Afrobeats star Bella Shmurda for a raw and revealing conversation. From the streets of Agege to global fame with hits like “Cash App,” Bella shares the highs, lows, and spiritual truths behind his meteoric rise. Dive into Bella’s world as he opens...

In this revealing episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with the elusive strategist behind Tems, one of Afrobeats’ most powerful voices. From spiritual practices to music industry frameworks, Donawon shares how he helped turn a misunderstood talent into a global force. Before the Grammy buzz, the Drake feature, and the Coachella stage, there was just a $500 bet and a belief. “If t...

“In an industry like this, everything is based on value. And if you don’t have it, there are certain rooms you can’t go into.” In this soulful episode of Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast, host Joey Akan sits down with Ghanaian music sensation Gyakie, the voice behind hits like “Forever” and “Something.” Gyakie opens up about her journey, blending heartfelt storytelling with sharp insights on navigat...

“The Money…” In this electrifying episode of Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast, host Joey Akan sits down with Nigerian music icon Timaya, the “Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa.” From dancehall-infused Afrobeats anthems like “Dem Mama” to global hits, Timaya’s journey is a masterclass in grit and innovation. This candid conversation traces his rise from Port Harcourt’s streets to Lagos’ spotlight and beyond....

Joeboy gets brutally honest in this revealing long-form conversation with Joey Akan. For the first time, he breaks down his peaceful transition from emPawa Records, launching Young Legend, learning from Mr. Eazi, and building a loyal fan community that goes far beyond hit songs. Joeboy is one of Afrobeats’ most beloved voices, known for blending heartfelt melodies with infectious production. They...

In this episode, we sit down with Tee-Y Mix, legendary music producer turned Executive Vice President at Dapper Entertainment, for an in-depth conversation about his journey and his mission to reshape Nigeria's music scene. Known for producing timeless hits, Tee-Y Mix now stands at the forefront of breaking new talent from Nigeria's streets, helping artists like Shallipopi and Seyi Vibez rise to p...

In this powerhouse episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with Lucas Emeodi, better known as Kiing Lu—a cultural entrepreneur with a "militant mindset" forged through years of navigating Nigeria’s evolving music landscape. From his humble beginnings in Jos as a rapper and producer to becoming a pivotal A&R and founder of Speedplug Promotions, Kiing Lu shares the grit, resilience, a...