The Blackbox Interviews

Manchester united ex-captain and legend PATRICE EVRA speaks with Ebuka in our eleventh #BLACKBOX series.

For many football fans, Patrice Evra is a household name. The senegal-born star is one of the most decorated and talented footballers to have played the beautiful game, with a fruitful career that spanned almost two decades. With stints in Nice, Monaco, Manchester United, Juventus and a couple of other clubs, the 40-year-old distinguished himself as one of the best left-backs to have played in the last century.

Born in Dakar to diplomat parents, Evra had to relocate to France at a very tender age. After a couple of years playing football on the streets of France, he found a way to feature for CO Les Ulis, his hometown club where he played as a striker. From there on, he had tryouts in a number of other clubs before finally joining Nice, where he signed his first professional contract, Monaco and eventually Manchester United.

For our eleventh 11th episode, Ebuka sits down with the ex-footballer, discussing his early years, his time at Manchester United and much more.

Banky W and Adesua Etomi or the Wellingtons as they’re famously known are undoubtedly two of the most popular faces in the country. Banky W, a musical icon, entrepreneur and politician kicked off his estimable career many years back while schooling in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. After graduating, he moved back to Nigeria at the tail-end of the noughties where he quickly established as one of the greatest musical minds the country has ever seen. Adesua Etomi, his wife, has led an equally exemplary career as well. After graduating the University Of Wolverhampton with first-class honours, she also moved back to Nigeria where she distinguished herself as one of the country’s leading actors.

For the first of its kind, the pair join Ebuka in the Blackbox, discussing their individual careers, family, childbirth and much more.

Yvonne Orji’s continuous rise in Hollywood isn’t a shock to many. The Nigerian-American star continues to raise the bar, as seen in her role in “Insecure”, the hit HBO television series. Born in Nigeria before migrating to the United States, Yvonne’s exceptional growth and success was hugely celebrated when she got nominated for a Primetime Emmy Awards in the 'Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series' category for her role as ‘Molly’ in the Issa Rae show.

With her hilariously funny HBO comedy special; "Yvonne Orji: Momma I Made It!" and a new book under her belt, "Bamboozled by Jesus: How God Tricked Me Into the Life of My Dreams", Yvonne Orji means business and she's all about it.

Enjoy our 10th episode celebrating International Women’s Day, as Ebuka sits down with Ms. Orji to discuss her life, career and all things in between.

For the first time ever, the incredibly talented musician Asa sits down in our Blackbox for an all-encompassing interview. Asa, born in Nigeria is one of Nigeria's biggest music exports; sharing her time between Lagos and Paris. She takes us down memory lane, growing up in Lagos and Jos, high school and bullying, her music including her french connection with Paris, the music industry & colleagues, and her new upcoming album scheduled for a January / February 2022 release & also talks about family, her father, international acceptance and new music.

From the jump, Kamaru Usman was destined for greatness. A true world class champion who has only suffered a single defeat in his professional career.

Dubbed "The Nigerian Nightmare", Usman enters our Blackbox to talk with Ebuka on all things that's made him the man he is today. From his early days in Auchi, Nigeria to dominating the UFC as one of the most bankable fighters in the ring and the sport's history.

Basket-mouth chops it up with Ebuka about his early beginnings, reaching the pinnacle of the comedy industry and his recent pivot to music. He also gets real about animosity in the comedy scene, his family, cancel culture and leaving a legacy in the industry.

Genius. Enigma. Mavin: The Genesis and Path to Glory.

From his beginnings as a serial hit-making producer to his transition into a music mogul with global dreams, Don Jazzy’s journey has come to define the expansion of African music in the last decade.

From steering ship at Mo'Hits to his new chapter at Mavin Records, the award-winning industry veteran has had an era-defining career of almost single-handedly raising an entire generation of Afrobeats superstars.

Now, the doyen is keener on passing the torch to the next wave of Afropop royalty.

Flavour N'abania sits down with Ebuka and opens up about his life in lockdown, growing up in Enugu, his early musical years, his career, the music industry, his women, marriage and life in general...

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie opens up about her early years in Nsukka and their influence on her writing, her recreational interests, some thoughts on the creative scene in Nigeria, and the story behind her name.

Falz opens up about his relationship with his father while growing up, the origin of his stage name, and financially surviving the pandemic as an artist, his current relationship with women, being single for 8 years, and his active involvement in the #EndSARS protests.