Afrobeats Intelligence

Joey Akan/OkayAfrica
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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. afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com

  1. Wale on the Cost of Fame, Plans for Nigeria, Afrobeats’ Breakthrough Moment

    قبل ١٤ ساعة

    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 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 eventually dominate global pop, the key moments that accelerated the genre’s global breakthrough, and the importance of protecting local African music markets as the sound expands worldwide. Wale also shares personal reflections on visiting Nigeria for the first time as an adult and reconnecting with the culture that has always influenced his music. The conversation offers a thoughtful look at diaspora identity, musical evolution, and the future of African music on the world stage. Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news. Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan Tik Tok: @joeyakan Follow Wale: Instagram: @wale Facebook: Wale Web: Everythingisalot Created and hosted by award-winning Nigerian journalist and music critic Joey Akan, Afrobeats Intelligence is presented by OkayAfrica, a division of AREYA MEDIA INC, and is sponsored by Martell.  Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com.

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  2. Sarz talks Global Success, Making Pop hits, and Cultural Ownership

    ٢٧ فبراير

    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 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 favorite Sarz-produced track in the comments!

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  3. المقطع الترويجي للموسم ٥

    Afrobeats Intelligence Season 5 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 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, and culture builders defining African music today.  Presented by OkayAfrica and sponsored by Martell, this season expands the conversation around how Afrobeats really works from Lagos to London to the world.

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  4. Peruzzi on Losing His Mom, Industry, Making “Assurance” & “Risky” w Davido | Afrobeats Intelligence

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    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 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 on the creative highs, industry pressure, and internal battles that shaped his sound — and nearly broke him. Peruzzi opens up about the moment he realized he was no longer making music from the heart. Though his Huncho Vibes and Rum & Boogie eras produced fan-favorite tracks and expanded his global fanbase, he admits he got lost in the amapiano wave and the financial rush that followed. Chasing chart-toppers and chasing trends began to cloud the original voice that made him special. The fans were dancing. The streams were climbing. But deep down, the music no longer felt like him. In an era of algorithm-driven creativity, Peruzzi shares what it means to disconnect, go silent, and rediscover your core.

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  5. Director Pink On Creating Afrobeats’ Most Watched Music Videos | Afrobeats Intelligence

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    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 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. From early hustle in Lagos to directing viral hits like “Sability”, “Bandana”, and “Lonely At The Top,” Director Pink opens up about her journey as a woman in a male-dominated industry, dealing with ego in the creative space, and setting the standard for international Afrobeats visuals. She unpacks how music video budgets are changing, why treatment writing is an artform, and how directors are finally getting global recognition for storytelling. She shares thoughts on cross-cultural collaboration (UK, France, and South Africa), and how she balances the commercial and emotional demands of the creative process. Whether you’re in New York, London, Toronto, Paris, or Accra, this episode offers an insider’s look at the vision behind Afrobeats’ most memorable visuals—and what it takes to lead as both artist and strategist.

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  6. Lanre Masha on Global Deals, Artist Breakouts & Afrobeats Money | Afrobeats Intelligence

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    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 powerhouse. Lanre pulls back the curtain on the Nigerian music industry, offering a masterclass on navigating its challenges and opportunities with integrity and strategy.

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  7. Ruger on Making Blown Boy Ru, Getting Co-Signed by Wizkid & His New Label | Afrobeats Intelligence

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    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 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 heartbreak, hate, and healing. He talks about sneaking out to study Dancehall, learning to write in Patois, and how songs like "Warning" and "Make Way" reflect his truth. He shares what it was like leaving his former label, facing doubters who said he’d fall off, and how Wizkid’s tweet gave him the push to keep going, he says after dropping "Toma Toma" with Tiwa Savage. Now running his own show, Ruger reflects on artist development, mental discipline, and why his next signee “has to be better than me.” He also breaks down his joint project with BNXN (Buju)—Romeo Must Die—and how collaboration showed a new side of him. Whether you're a fan of Afrobeats, Dancehall, or the business behind the music, this conversation cuts deep—streaming from Lagos to London, Toronto to Houston, wherever the African sound resonates.

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  8. ٢٧‏/٠٦‏/٢٠٢٥

    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 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 opens up about his vibrant personality and early stage performances (0:00–7:00), recounting his first-ever show (5:05–6:07). He details his emotional switch from producer to artist, sparked by the loss of his mother (6:47–11:56), and how manager Isioma pushed him to drop “Dada” (10:30–11:58). He reflects on settling into his new artistic identity (12:00–16:45) and his musical roots, from church to abandoning football dreams (16:45–21:30, 20:10–21:30). Young Jonn dives into his producer come-up, meeting Olamide, and crafting “Story for the Gods” (21:31–31:46, 23:45–26:43), sharing hustle lessons from Olamide (27:25–29:00). He breaks down his fast-paced production style that reshaped Nigerian music (31:50–37:02, 31:50–33:36), his growth with Chocolate City (37:33–46:00), and the global reach of Afrobeats through his performances in Europe and the US (46:00–end). Join Joey Akan and Young Jonn for an inspiring deep dive into creativity, resilience, and the pulse of Afrobeats.

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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. afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com

المعلومات

  • صناع العمل
    Joey Akan/OkayAfrica
  • سنوات النشاط
    ٢٠٢٢ - ٢٠٢٦
  • الحلقات
    ٦٣
  • التقييم
    فاضح
  • حقوق النشر
    © 2025 Joey Akan
  • موقع البرنامج على الويب
    Afrobeats Intelligence

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