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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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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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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“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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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 recording the RED album, the hunger for money as a rising star, and what it really took to build a career that has lasted over a decade. Joey and Tiwa explore the challenges of championing sensuality in a conservative industry, Tiwa’s Afro-RnB sound, working with Beyoncé on Keys to the Kingdom, and what it means to raise a son while also raising a legacy.

0:00–1:45 – Separation between home and work

1:45–3:43 – Tiwa’s hopes for her son

3:43–8:34 – Laying the foundation for longevity in music

8:34–11:15 – “I started late” – on timing and career doubts

11:15–13:56 – Navigating structure in a chaotic industry

13:56–15:44 – Scaling and surviving as a woman in music

15:44–19:15 – Championing sensuality in conservative Nigeria

19:15–20:59 – “Come home, Tiwa” – Leaving L.A. for the Nigerian market

20:59–24:39 – Becoming ‘Tiwa Savage’ full time

24:39–26:48 – Defining Afro-RnB

26:48–27:45 – Telling stories through projects

27:45–32:30 – From Mavin Records to the major leagues

32:30–34:48 – A popstar becomes a mother

34:48–36:41 – Ten years later: reflecting on a legendary run

36:41–40:02 – Staying true while staying versatile

40:02–42:53 – Working with Beyoncé and approaching perfection

42:53–46:29 – Building a sustainable music industry in Nigeria

46:29–end – Tiwa on Afrobeats to the World and her legacy

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“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 the Nigerian music industry.

Lojay opens by sharing his drive to create work that outlives him (0:00–9:40), revealing a past fear of death that shaped his ambition (3:10–4:34). He traces his musical roots from high school fame (8:00–17:00) and early experiments at age 10 (17:00–20:30) to dropping out of a UK university to pursue music in Nigeria (20:30–27:15, 21:40–23:47). Lojay breaks down his growth markers, including writing classes (27:15–29:36), and his unique songwriting process, admitting “I don’t write” (30:59–32:39). He recounts crafting “Billions” with Wizkid and Sarz (32:39–35:55, 32:39–33:50) and turning Sarz’s beat for Wurld into the crossover hit “Monalisa” (53:20–56:03, 53:20–54:54). Lojay explores how love fuels his creativity (39:10–42:00) and why he prioritizes internal taste over trends, praising Asake’s bold sound (42:45–53:00, 49:02–51:15). He closes with a passionate critique of the Nigerian music industry’s lack of foresight, urging Afrobeats to aim higher (1:00:30–end, 1:01:58–1:05:50).

Join Joey Akan and Lojay for an inspiring journey through artistry, ambition, and the global rise of Afrobeats.

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“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 up about his spirituality (5:02–6:43) and how it guides his music, including the spiritual powers that shape his hit singles (16:24–21:13). Hear him reflect on empathy and charity (6:56–16:22), recounting personal stories of giving back, and a costly $40,000 lesson when he ignored his dreams (16:24–18:55). Bella doesn’t hold back on the music industry’s materialism (24:59–44:00), calling out predatory labels (36:42–38:27), OGs chasing trends (27:08–28:50), and the need for purpose over aesthetics (30:10–32:02). He also shares his vision for Dangbana Republik, explaining why he signed rising star Fola (44:45–46:15).

This episode is a deep dive into authenticity, resilience, and the spiritual pulse of Afrobeats. Join Joey Akan and Bella Shmurda for a conversation that’s as enlightening as it is electrifying.

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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 this fails, I’ll give you everything I have,” he told Tems.And then he built a team. A system. A legacy.

Across this unfiltered conversation, Donawon breaks down:

Why he walked away from gospel rap — and how that failure gave him purpose

Why he built Faceless Management — and stayed in the shadows on purpose

The system that scaled Tems’ career beyond algorithms or virality

Why he fasts every month and lets faith guide business

What’s next for the movement — including artists like Nsikak, Naya Akanji, and a new wave of Nigerian talent

How rising stars like Rema, Fireboy DML, and Ayra Starr represent both inspiration and warning signs in today’s industry

“Clout is for visibility. But conviction is what makes artists timeless.”“The artist is the fruit. But the tree? That’s where the real work happens.”

Whether you’re a fan of Tems’ soulful R&B, an aspiring manager, or someone studying the Afrobeats industry from the inside, this episode is a blueprint for building greatness without shortcuts.

Watch this if you’re building a team, launching a label, or dreaming of a music career. It’s long-term thinking for a short-term world.

4:55 - 5:50 {Managing Afrobeats artistes} 

7:50 - 8:52 {External influences} 

10:30 - 11:25 {Afrobeats as a collective?} 

13:18 - 14:32 {Information/educational gap} 

17:58 - 18:38 {Ownership and cataloguing} 

22:40 - 23:49 {Conversion of the Afrobeats to the world movement} 

27:30 - 28:41 {Choosing the artiste} 

29:33 - 30:30 {Choosing the artiste 2} 

33:46 - 34:54 {Management model vs Company model Nonso Amadi experience} 

35:00 - 36:12 {Management model vs Company model 2} 

36:25 - 37:30 {Manager - Artiste relationship} 

41:41 - 42:43 {Music as a business vs Music as a brand} 

58:40 - 59:48 {Managing Omah lay/Clarity of mind}

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“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 navigating the African music industry.

Gyakie kicks off by sharing her deep love for Nigeria—its people, food, and talent pool (0:00–8:20), reflecting on its impact since childhood (3:53–5:03). She discusses balancing her father’s legendary musical legacy with her own path, addressing “nepo baby” labels (9:29–15:44, 12:00–13:59). Gyakie reveals how she navigates the industry with a service-driven mindset, stressing that passion alone isn’t enough (15:44–25:06, 17:34–18:57). She explores how love shapes her life and music (25:06–31:20), rejecting restrictive labels on the emotion (25:10–25:48). Gyakie breaks down the industry’s value-driven system, urging artists to avoid bitterness to thrive (31:22–39:53, 31:22–32:32). She closes by examining Afrobeats’ global rise in Ghana and the role of major labels (39:54–42:22).

Join Joey Akan and Gyakie for a captivating blend of personal reflection, industry wisdom, and Afrobeats’ global pulse.

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“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.

Timaya kicks off with his deep ties to Bayelsa and his annual Timaya Day concert (0:00–7:00), then breaks down the evolution of Nigerian music eras, from recording challenges to resource access (7:48–11:20). He shares his origin story, revealing why music was his only hustle in Port Harcourt (11:29–21:13), and details his bold crossover to Lagos (17:53–34:40), including his first N500k deal (22:47–28:20) and self-promotion as a backup singer (18:07–19:53). Hear how he coined “Timaya Don Blow” after his second album deal (31:25–34:13). Timaya reflects on his controversial eras, from bold moves to the Empress Njama car saga (38:50–42:45), his Caribbean exploits (43:30–51:50), and Afrobeats’ global takeover (52:00–56:38). He wraps with a raw take on money as his drive, revealing the $100k cost of producing a song (57:24–58:25).

Join Joey Akan and Timaya for a no-holds-barred dive into resilience, reinvention, and the pulse of Afrobeats.

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