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This episode takes us on an extraordinary journey through Africa's cultural landscape with Obi Asika, the visionary behind Storm 360 and current Director-General of Nigeria's National Council for Arts and Culture. Born during Nigeria's Civil War, Asika has spent three decades at the forefront of Africa's entertainment revolution, from pioneering Afrobeats' global rise to bringing formats like Big Brother and The Voice to the continent.

Far more than an industry conversation, this episode weaves together cultural history, personal revelation, and is a passionate call to action. Asika takes us on a history lesson that touches on everything from Egypt to the connections between African ceremony and modern Black American music, while challenging us to reclaim our narrative power through authentic storytelling.

Key Insights:

• How being born during Nigeria's Civil War shaped Asika's perspective on cultural preservation
• The connections between African ceremonial traditions and American music
• His history with legendary musical figures like Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Lyor Cohen
• How Afrobeats is the fuel for Nigerian innovation and global recognition
• The business ecosystem of entertainment, from value chains to stakeholder development
• Africa's historical position as an originator rather than imitator in global culture
• The crucial importance of IP ownership and infrastructure building for Africa's future

For creators, entrepreneurs, historians, and anyone invested in Africa's cultural renaissance, this episode offers both wisdom from the past and a roadmap for the future. Join us for this powerful exploration of how building Africa's entertainment industry is, brick by brick, an act of cultural reclamation and economic transformation.

Our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thisisbrickbybrick

Obi's Omniverse: https://theomniverse.africa/

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This episode marks a meaningful shift in our Brick by Brick journey as we explore the foundation of all building: the self. Join us for an intimate conversation with Kunbi, founder of Legally Set, lawyer, and a dedicated mother of two, as she courageously shares her experience growing up in a polygamous Nigerian family.

Kunbi is well known in the Nigerian American community for being the queen of celebrations. Perfête, which she has since sold, was a platform centered around the art of celebrating. She is also known for sharing her IVF journey at a time when people declined to speak openly about it. While previous episodes focused on building businesses and careers, Kunbi reminds us that the most profound construction project is often the construction of ourselves. With remarkable vulnerability, she reveals how childhood coping mechanisms shaped her adult relationships and the deliberate work required to break generational patterns.

Key Insights:

• The complex emotional landscape of growing up in a polygamous home
• How childhood survival strategies become adult limitations
• The intentional teamwork required to build a healthy marriage
• Navigating the profound challenges of IVF as both a woman and a couple
• The delicate balance of honoring cultural heritage while rejecting harmful patterns
• Creating a family environment that serves as a container for legacy
• Finding purpose in healing and breaking cycles

For anyone who has ever felt the weight of their upbringing in their current relationships, Kunbi's story offers both validation and hope. Join us for this powerful exploration of personal reconstruction – because building a beautiful life always begins with rebuilding ourselves.

Our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thisisbrickbybrick

Kunbi's Website: kunbiesq.com

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Iyin "E" Aboyeji built two unicorns from Lagos, Nigeria. What does it take to build not just one, but two billion-dollar companies? In this episode we merge two conversations which took place over the course of two years.

When E co-founded Andela in 2014, Nigeria's tech ecosystem was still quite young. His audacious bet on Nigeria's potential wasn't his first venture, but it would become the catalyst which helped to transform Africa's tech landscape forever. In this deeply personal conversation, E takes us through his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of Africa's most influential tech leaders. We explore how his childhood shaped his leadership philosophy, the role his faith plays in decision-making, the personal cost of blind ambition, and E's next chapter.

Key Insights:

• The untold story before Andela and the pivotal environment of 2014
• How Western collaboration helped bring his unicorns to life
• Navigating corporate crisis during Flutterwave's turbulent 2022
• The wisdom of knowing when to leave something you've built
• Managing public attacks and criticism as a person in the public eye
• How he structures his wealth portfolio after billion-dollar exits
• The evolution from seeking validation to finding purpose

Join us in this compelling conversation to learn about E's evolution as an entrepreneur and leader. From unicorn building to founding Future Africa to investing in the first Digital Zone in Nigeria (Itana), discover how Iyin continues to reshape Africa's future, brick by brick.

It's an intimate look at the personal growth, sacrifices, and wisdom gained on the path of building unicorns from a most unlikely place.

Our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thisisbrickbybrick

Future Africa: future.africa

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What does it mean to truly live life to its fullest? In this episode, we sit down with Edmund Olotu, a serial entrepreneur whose $600M exit to Johnson & Johnson is just one chapter in his remarkable story.

Through our conversation, Edmund reveals how his parents' bold investment in his education became the catalyst for a life of continuous expansion. We explore his journey from founding multiple successful businesses including Supergeeks, Novira Technologies, and now Bloc, to pursuing his passions as a car enthusiast and restaurateur.

Key Insights:

• The intentionality of building a beautiful life in Lagos
• Navigating belonging and success as a Black person in the U.S. vs. U.K.
• The critical lessons from his $600M exit to Johnson & Johnson
• Why community and support systems are fundamental to success
• How running a business differs from inside versus outside perspectives
• The art of knowing when to let go of a business

Join us for an inspiring conversation about what becomes possible when you decide to squeeze every drop of possibility from life. Edmund's story isn't just about business success—it's about crafting a life rich in experiences, relationships, and perpetual growth.

This episode offers a masterclass in building businesses, seizing opportunities, and most importantly, creating a life well-lived, brick by brick.

Our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thisisbrickbybrick

Bloc: blochq.io

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Jide Martin, founder of Comic Republic, takes us on an exhilarating journey from audacious beginnings to global recognition. Discover how a superhuman level of self-belief transformed a "crazy idea" into one of Nigeria's biggest multimedia powerhouses.

From developing a unique freemium model to signing landmark deals with industry giants, Jide shares the trials, triumphs, and invaluable lessons learned while building Comic Republic, brick by brick.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about defying norms, fostering local talent, and taking African stories to the global stage. Learn how Jide turned his passion for comics into a multimedia empire, and gain insights that could fuel your own journey.

Key Highlights:

• The bold decision to keep comics free and prioritize digital distribution

• Navigating talent acquisition and retention in Nigeria's competitive market

• Inside Comic Republic's 10+ departments and their synergistic workflow

• The four-year journey to signing with CAA, while retaining IP ownership

• Unpacking the groundbreaking deal with Universal Studio Group & Mad Massive

• The delicate balance of creative control in international partnerships

• Why building Africa's own media infrastructure is crucial

Our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thisisbrickbybrick

Comic Republic: https://thecomicrepublic.com/site/home.html 

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What does it take to leave a mark on an industry? In this inaugural episode of Brick by Brick, we explore the extraordinary journey of Niyi Osidipe, a visionary who begain her career at a gelataria, but currently architects chart-topping hits in music. Niyi's story is a testament to the power of adaptability, creativity, and relentless ambition in the fast-paced world of entertainment.

From her unexpected entry into the Nigerian music scene to becoming the driving force behind Adekunle Gold's meteoric rise, Niyi shares the challenges, triumphs, and invaluable lessons learned along the way. Her narrative isn't just about managing a global superstar; it's a masterclass in brand building, industry navigation, and the art of knowing when to pivot.

Topics:

• The surprising connection between a gelateria and a music career launch
• The role of fun in achieving success
• Behind-the-scenes insights into managing Adekunle Gold (AG)
• The thinking behind crafting AG's brand
• Recognizing the right moment to move on 
• Navigating the complexities of the global music industry at Sony Music
• The unique challenges and opportunities in the African music market
• The importance of artistic independence and owning your masters
• How United Masters is changing the game for independent artists
• Making creativity economically sustainable
• The transformative power of the journey itself

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thisisbrickbybrick

UM for Artists: https://unitedmasters.com/ng

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Welcome to Brick by Brick. In each episode, we (that's me, your host, Reni Somoye, and you) dive deep into the personal and professional journeys of inspiring individuals. We're not just talking about their triumphs; we're uncovering the challenges, the failures, and the hard-won lessons that shaped their paths.

You'll hear honest conversations about what it truly takes to create a beautiful life. We're lifting the veil on the whispered truths and unspoken realities of building success.

Join us as we explore resilience in the face of setbacks, innovative thinking in times of challenge, and the step-by-step process of turning dreams into reality.

Brick by Brick is your guide to constructing a life and career you love, one insight at a time.

Tune in and start building your future, brick by brick.

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