One 54 Podcast

iHeartPodcasts
  • 4.9 (283)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

One54, hosted by Akbar and Godfrey, is a first of its kind podcast spotlighting the untold stories of African entertainers, athletes and business leaders. Through unfiltered conversations, this podcast reveals the challenges and culture clashes of growing up African in America.Akbar Gbajabiamila is a former NFL player, sports analyst, and television host best known for co-hosting American Ninja Warrior and CBS' The Talk. Proud of his Nigerian heritage, he brings a dynamic presence to media, blending his athletic background with insightful commentary and a deep connection to his roots.Godfrey Daneschmah is a comedian and actor who's resume spans over 30 years and known for his sharp wit, spot-on impressions, and energetic stand-up performances. Drawing from his Nigerian heritage, he infuses cultural insight into his comedy, making him a standout voice in the entertainment industry.One54 - Celebrating Africa’s 54 Countries, One Story At A Time

  1. 6d ago

    Themba Gorimbo Part 1: Growing Up in Zimbabwe, Family Loss, Blood Diamonds & South Africa - One54 Africa

    Themba Gorimbo shares his story of growing up in Zimbabwe, losing both of his parents at a young age, surviving poverty, and eventually finding his way into professional MMA and the UFC. Gorimbo opens up about his childhood in Zimbabwe, the impact of the country’s economic struggles, drought, land reform, and food shortages, and how those experiences shaped his outlook on life. He also reflects on his father’s influence, his mother’s death when he was nine, and the trauma of losing his father just a few years later. He discusses growing up around violence and family fights before discovering MMA through the movie Never Back Down, starring Djimon Hounsou. What started as a way to defend himself against his cousins eventually became a professional fighting career. Gorimbo also talks about leaving Zimbabwe for South Africa as a teenager, being arrested and deported, crossing back into South Africa, working to survive, and the dangers and challenges faced by Zimbabwean immigrants. He discusses xenophobia, the complicated relationship between Zimbabwe and South Africa, and why so many Zimbabweans leave home in search of opportunity. The conversation turns to Gorimbo’s UFC journey, the challenges he faced as an African fighter, sponsorships, fighting politics, and his release from the UFC. He opens up about his relationship with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, how The Rock helped bring him to America, and why being viewed as a “charity case” created complicated expectations. Gorimbo also discusses support from other fighters, including Daniel Cormier and Israel Adesanya, his experiences with UFC leadership and Dana White, and the realities of trying to build a career in professional MMA. He shares his thoughts on Zimbabwe’s gold industry, economic inequality, corruption, and the money flowing out of the country while many people continue to struggle. He also reflects on his experiences in the diamond fields and the realities of Zimbabweans trying to build better lives abroad. From Zimbabwe to South Africa, from poverty and loss to the UFC and global recognition, Themba Gorimbo tells an honest story about family, resilience, fighting, Africa, immigration, and the journey to creating a better life See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Themba Gorimbo Part 1: Growing Up in Zimbabwe, Family Loss, Blood Diamonds & South Africa - One54 Africa

  2. 6d ago

    Themba Gorimbo Part 2: The UFC, The Rock, Daniel Cormier, Israel Adesanya & Life After Fighting - One54 Africa

    Themba Gorimbo shares his story of growing up in Zimbabwe, losing both of his parents at a young age, surviving poverty, and eventually finding his way into professional MMA and the UFC. Gorimbo opens up about his childhood in Zimbabwe, the impact of the country’s economic struggles, drought, land reform, and food shortages, and how those experiences shaped his outlook on life. He also reflects on his father’s influence, his mother’s death when he was nine, and the trauma of losing his father just a few years later. He discusses growing up around violence and family fights before discovering MMA through the movie Never Back Down, starring Djimon Hounsou. What started as a way to defend himself against his cousins eventually became a professional fighting career. Gorimbo also talks about leaving Zimbabwe for South Africa as a teenager, being arrested and deported, crossing back into South Africa, working to survive, and the dangers and challenges faced by Zimbabwean immigrants. He discusses xenophobia, the complicated relationship between Zimbabwe and South Africa, and why so many Zimbabweans leave home in search of opportunity. The conversation turns to Gorimbo’s UFC journey, the challenges he faced as an African fighter, sponsorships, fighting politics, and his release from the UFC. He opens up about his relationship with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, how The Rock helped bring him to America, and why being viewed as a “charity case” created complicated expectations. Gorimbo also discusses support from other fighters, including Daniel Cormier and Israel Adesanya, his experiences with UFC leadership and Dana White, and the realities of trying to build a career in professional MMA. He shares his thoughts on Zimbabwe’s gold industry, economic inequality, corruption, and the money flowing out of the country while many people continue to struggle. He also reflects on his experiences in the diamond fields and the realities of Zimbabweans trying to build better lives abroad. From Zimbabwe to South Africa, from poverty and loss to the UFC and global recognition, Themba Gorimbo tells an honest story about family, resilience, fighting, Africa, immigration, and the journey to creating a better life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Themba Gorimbo Part 2: The UFC, The Rock, Daniel Cormier, Israel Adesanya & Life After Fighting - One54 Africa

  3. Sep 23

    Kwame Onwuachi Part 1: Growing Up in Nigeria, His Street Hustle & Becoming a Chef - One54 Africa

    Kwame Onwuachi joins One54 for a conversation about his Nigerian-American and Afro-Caribbean roots, his journey from the Bronx to becoming one of the most celebrated chefs in the world, and the experiences that shaped his approach to food and culture. The James Beard Award-winning chef, New York Times bestselling author, TIME100 honoree, and star of Top Chef and Chopped discusses his childhood in Nigeria, where he was sent at age 10 to learn discipline and respect, and how that experience gave him a deeper connection to his heritage. Onwuachi opens up about Nigerian food and culture, and his thoughts on the Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Senegalese jollof rice debate. He also shares how growing up around Nigerian, Jamaican, Caribbean, Mexican, Chinese, Jewish, and other cultures in New York influenced his cooking and ultimately shaped his culinary identity. He reflects on his early years working in restaurants, attending the Culinary Institute of America, cooking on an oil cleanup boat during the Deepwater Horizon disaster, and selling candy on the New York City subway to fund his first catering company. Onwuachi also details the difficult period of his life when he became involved in selling drugs, the moment he decided to change direction, and how seeing Barack Obama become president inspired him to believe he could accomplish anything. The conversation then moves into his restaurant career, including Kith and Kin in Washington, D.C., Tatiana at Lincoln Center in New York, Dōgon in D.C., and his Las Vegas restaurant Maroon. Onwuachi explains the meaning and history behind his restaurant names and how African and Black history, ancestry, and culture are incorporated into his food. He also discusses restaurant ownership, building the right team, the challenges of the restaurant business, Michelin stars, fine dining, and why owning his intellectual property is so important to him. Onwuachi shares stories about cooking for Barack and Michelle Obama at the White House Easter Egg Roll, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, and other major celebrities, including his experience cooking at the Met Gala. He also talks about his upcoming cookbook, his investment in new businesses and packaged goods, and his continued plans to expand his restaurant empire. Kwame Onwuachi closes out the conversation by reflecting on his Nigerian heritage, his relationship with his father, fatherhood, perseverance, and the importance of continuing to evolve. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Kwame Onwuachi Part 1: Growing Up in Nigeria, His Street Hustle & Becoming a Chef - One54 Africa

  4. Sep 23

    Kwame Onwuachi Part 2: Cooking For The Obamas, Drake & Beyoncé & Jay-Z, Michelin Stars & Restaurant Ownership - One54 Africa

    Kwame Onwuachi joins One54 for a conversation about his Nigerian-American and Afro-Caribbean roots, his journey from the Bronx to becoming one of the most celebrated chefs in the world, and the experiences that shaped his approach to food and culture. The James Beard Award-winning chef, New York Times bestselling author, TIME100 honoree, and star of Top Chef and Chopped discusses his childhood in Nigeria, where he was sent at age 10 to learn discipline and respect, and how that experience gave him a deeper connection to his heritage. Onwuachi opens up about Nigerian food and culture, and his thoughts on the Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Senegalese jollof rice debate. He also shares how growing up around Nigerian, Jamaican, Caribbean, Mexican, Chinese, Jewish, and other cultures in New York influenced his cooking and ultimately shaped his culinary identity. He reflects on his early years working in restaurants, attending the Culinary Institute of America, cooking on an oil cleanup boat during the Deepwater Horizon disaster, and selling candy on the New York City subway to fund his first catering company. Onwuachi also details the difficult period of his life when he became involved in selling drugs, the moment he decided to change direction, and how seeing Barack Obama become president inspired him to believe he could accomplish anything. The conversation then moves into his restaurant career, including Kith and Kin in Washington, D.C., Tatiana at Lincoln Center in New York, Dōgon in D.C., and his Las Vegas restaurant Maroon. Onwuachi explains the meaning and history behind his restaurant names and how African and Black history, ancestry, and culture are incorporated into his food. He also discusses restaurant ownership, building the right team, the challenges of the restaurant business, Michelin stars, fine dining, and why owning his intellectual property is so important to him. Onwuachi shares stories about cooking for Barack and Michelle Obama at the White House Easter Egg Roll, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, and other major celebrities, including his experience cooking at the Met Gala. He also talks about his upcoming cookbook, his investment in new businesses and packaged goods, and his continued plans to expand his restaurant empire. Kwame Onwuachi closes out the conversation by reflecting on his Nigerian heritage, his relationship with his father, fatherhood, perseverance, and the importance of continuing to evolve. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Kwame Onwuachi Part 2: Cooking For The Obamas, Drake & Beyoncé & Jay-Z, Michelin Stars & Restaurant Ownership - One54 Africa

  5. Sep 16

    Mena Massoud Part 1: Egyptian Roots, Aladdin, Will Smith & Hollywood - One54 Africa

    Mena Massoud joins One54 Africa for a conversation about his Egyptian roots, growing up in Canada, and his journey from studying neuroscience at the University of Toronto to becoming the star of Disney’s Aladdin alongside Will Smith. The Egyptian-Canadian actor opens up about creating Dharma Gin with his wife, blending Egyptian and Indian cultural influences into their spirit, and sharing his favorite Egyptian foods. Mena shares what it was like growing up in a predominantly white Canadian community, learning English through ESL, and navigating the cultural expectations of an immigrant family. He and Godfrey discuss the pressure to become a doctor, the shame associated with pursuing acting, and the difficult conversation with his parents after choosing theater school over neuroscience. He reflects on childhood trauma, self-doubt, people-pleasing, and the pressure to always be better, while exploring how those experiences shaped his career and personal growth. Mena takes us behind the scenes of his breakout role as Aladdin, from booking Jack Ryan with John Krasinski to landing the Disney film after months of auditions. He reveals how theater school prepared him for singing, dancing, camel riding, and the underwater drowning scene, which helped save the production $200,000. He also discusses working with Will Smith, the reality of Aladdin grossing over $1 billion at the box office, and why that massive success did not translate into a massive payday. The actor opens up about the dark place he experienced after Aladdin and how reconnecting with his love for acting helped him regain his confidence. He shares what it was like living in a closet in West Hollywood before booking Jack Ryan and Aladdin, navigating Hollywood as an Egyptian actor. Mena also discusses his new biblical film, Daniel: The Fiery Furnace, his Coptic Christian upbringing, and the importance of standing up for your faith and identity. They explore Egyptian history, the pyramids, the diversity of Africa, and what it means to experience Egypt beyond the tourist attractions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Mena Massoud Part 1: Egyptian Roots, Aladdin, Will Smith & Hollywood - One54 Africa

  6. Sep 16

    Mena Massoud Part 2: Faith, Egypt, Daniel: The Fiery Furnace & Mental Health - One54 Africa

    Mena Massoud joins One54 Africa for a conversation about his Egyptian roots, growing up in Canada, and his journey from studying neuroscience at the University of Toronto to becoming the star of Disney’s Aladdin alongside Will Smith. The Egyptian-Canadian actor opens up about creating Dharma Gin with his wife, blending Egyptian and Indian cultural influences into their spirit, and sharing his favorite Egyptian foods. Mena shares what it was like growing up in a predominantly white Canadian community, learning English through ESL, and navigating the cultural expectations of an immigrant family. He and Godfrey discuss the pressure to become a doctor, the shame associated with pursuing acting, and the difficult conversation with his parents after choosing theater school over neuroscience. He reflects on childhood trauma, self-doubt, people-pleasing, and the pressure to always be better, while exploring how those experiences shaped his career and personal growth. Mena takes us behind the scenes of his breakout role as Aladdin, from booking Jack Ryan with John Krasinski to landing the Disney film after months of auditions. He reveals how theater school prepared him for singing, dancing, camel riding, and the underwater drowning scene, which helped save the production $200,000. He also discusses working with Will Smith, the reality of Aladdin grossing over $1 billion at the box office, and why that massive success did not translate into a massive payday. The actor opens up about the dark place he experienced after Aladdin and how reconnecting with his love for acting helped him regain his confidence. He shares what it was like living in a closet in West Hollywood before booking Jack Ryan and Aladdin, navigating Hollywood as an Egyptian actor. Mena also discusses his new biblical film, Daniel: The Fiery Furnace, his Coptic Christian upbringing, and the importance of standing up for your faith and identity. They explore Egyptian history, the pyramids, the diversity of Africa, and what it means to experience Egypt beyond the tourist attractions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Mena Massoud Part 2: Faith, Egypt, Daniel: The Fiery Furnace & Mental Health - One54 Africa

  7. Sep 9

    Adekunle Gold Part 1: Nigerian Roots, Sade, Skales, Wizkid, Fela Kuti, Pharrell & Beyoncé - One54 Africa

    Adekunle Gold, also known as AG Baby, joins One54 Africa for conversation about his Nigerian roots, music career, creativity, family, and the global rise of Afrobeats. The award-winning Afrobeat superstar, singer, songwriter, designer, painter, sculptor, philanthropist, and performer opens up about his Kosoko family’s royal history in Lagos.    Adekunle Gold reflects on growing up in Lagos, his communal childhood, his family’s religious background, and how singing in church sparked his passion for music. He shares his experience auditioning for MTN Project Fame, and the breakthrough that came after releasing his cover of One Direction’s “Story of My Life,” “Sade.” He also discusses his early work as a graphic designer, being known as the “King of Photoshop.” AG Baby takes viewers through his evolution as an artist, including his experiences working alongside Nigerian stars such as Skales and Wizkid. He explains how he developed his sound through Nigerian genres including Highlife, Fuji, Juju, Sakara, and Afrobeat. He also discusses the power of melodies and lyrics in Yoruba, and why African artists should not feel pressured to translate their music for Western audiences. Adekunle Gold opens up about his relationship with Pharrell Williams, including how a Pharrell tweet changed the way he viewed himself as an artist. He explains his unique songwriting process, describing how he spends hours finding melodies before choosing the right one. The conversation then explores his time signed to Def Jam, creative control, owning masters, artist development, and why young artists need to build themselves beyond having one viral hit. Adekunle Gold reveals how watching Beyoncé perform at Coachella inspired him to completely rethink his own live shows. AG Baby also discusses writing for Beyoncé and the emotional story behind a song he originally wrote for the Lion King project after losing his father. He talks about Rihanna, Beyoncé, Bill Withers, and the complicated process of clearing interpolations for his album Fuji. He also reflects on family, marriage, fatherhood, misinformation surrounding his children, and his commitment to giving back through his sickle cell foundation. To close, Adekunle Gold discusses the explosive worldwide growth of Afrobeats and what it means to see African music embraced globally.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Adekunle Gold Part 1: Nigerian Roots, Sade, Skales, Wizkid, Fela Kuti, Pharrell & Beyoncé - One54 Africa

  8. Sep 9

    Adekunle Gold Part 2: Owning His Masters, Rihanna, Fuji, Sickle Cell, Family & Afrobeats - One54 Africa

    Adekunle Gold, also known as AG Baby, joins One54 Africa for conversation about his Nigerian roots, music career, creativity, family, and the global rise of Afrobeats. The award-winning Afrobeat superstar, singer, songwriter, designer, painter, sculptor, philanthropist, and performer opens up about his Kosoko family’s royal history in Lagos.    Adekunle Gold reflects on growing up in Lagos, his communal childhood, his family’s religious background, and how singing in church sparked his passion for music. He shares his experience auditioning for MTN Project Fame, and the breakthrough that came after releasing his cover of One Direction’s “Story of My Life,” “Sade.” He also discusses his early work as a graphic designer, being known as the “King of Photoshop.” AG Baby takes viewers through his evolution as an artist, including his experiences working alongside Nigerian stars such as Skales and Wizkid. He explains how he developed his sound through Nigerian genres including Highlife, Fuji, Juju, Sakara, and Afrobeat. He also discusses the power of melodies and lyrics in Yoruba, and why African artists should not feel pressured to translate their music for Western audiences. Adekunle Gold opens up about his relationship with Pharrell Williams, including how a Pharrell tweet changed the way he viewed himself as an artist. He explains his unique songwriting process, describing how he spends hours finding melodies before choosing the right one. The conversation then explores his time signed to Def Jam, creative control, owning masters, artist development, and why young artists need to build themselves beyond having one viral hit. Adekunle Gold reveals how watching Beyoncé perform at Coachella inspired him to completely rethink his own live shows. AG Baby also discusses writing for Beyoncé and the emotional story behind a song he originally wrote for the Lion King project after losing his father. He talks about Rihanna, Beyoncé, Bill Withers, and the complicated process of clearing interpolations for his album Fuji. He also reflects on family, marriage, fatherhood, misinformation surrounding his children, and his commitment to giving back through his sickle cell foundation. To close, Adekunle Gold discusses the explosive worldwide growth of Afrobeats and what it means to see African music embraced globally.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Adekunle Gold Part 2: Owning His Masters, Rihanna, Fuji, Sickle Cell, Family & Afrobeats - One54 Africa
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4.9
out of 5
283 Ratings

About

One54, hosted by Akbar and Godfrey, is a first of its kind podcast spotlighting the untold stories of African entertainers, athletes and business leaders. Through unfiltered conversations, this podcast reveals the challenges and culture clashes of growing up African in America.Akbar Gbajabiamila is a former NFL player, sports analyst, and television host best known for co-hosting American Ninja Warrior and CBS' The Talk. Proud of his Nigerian heritage, he brings a dynamic presence to media, blending his athletic background with insightful commentary and a deep connection to his roots.Godfrey Daneschmah is a comedian and actor who's resume spans over 30 years and known for his sharp wit, spot-on impressions, and energetic stand-up performances. Drawing from his Nigerian heritage, he infuses cultural insight into his comedy, making him a standout voice in the entertainment industry.One54 - Celebrating Africa’s 54 Countries, One Story At A Time

Information

  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    One 54 Podcast

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