Afrobeats Intelligence

Mr Eazi, a Nigerian musical innovator and pioneer of Banku music, shares his fascinating journey from university hustles to the forefront of the African music scene. He discusses the importance of freedom in his career choices, turning down early record deals to maintain his independence. Eazi highlights his ventures, including Banco Music and the Empower program aimed at investing in artists. He tackles challenges like public perception and criticism, ultimately channeling them into his latest album, 'The Evil Genius,' a reflection of personal growth and artistic expression.

Crown Uzama, known professionally as Shallipopi, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He gained mainstream attention with the release of "Obapluto" in 2023. Shallipopi is signed to Dvpper Music Distribution, a Nigerian music record distribution founded by Damillola Akinwunmi. He is best known internationally for his 2023 hit single "Elon Musk", which peaked at No. 1 on the Nigeria Top 100 Apple Music. His new album, "Presido La Pluto" is out now. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com

Tempoe is a Nigerian record producer, DJ, singer and songwriter. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Tempoe is popularly known for the tag "MÄD!,"in all of his music productions. His production of Ckay's breakout hit, "Love Nwantiti" received global recognition. Tempoe's client list is chocked full of hits for superstars including Omah Lay, Joeboy, CKay, Jason Derulo, Victony amongst others.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com

Ayra Starr is a Beninese-born Nigerian singer signed to Mavin Records. After launching a fashion career at the age of 16, she pivoted to music, covering several songs by popular artists on Instagram, before sharing her first original song in December 2019. This caught the eye of record executive Don Jazzy, who signed her to his record label Mavin Records. In this episode, Ayra seats with music journalist, Joey Akan, talking about finding herself and her voice via music. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com

Sarkodie is a Ghanaian rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur from Tema. Buoyed by a lifetime of groundbreaking success, he is also considered one of the major proponents of the Azonto genre and dance and one of the most successful African rappers of all time.In this episode, he seats with music journalist, Joey Akan. Sarkodie talks about working post-humously with Bob Marley, the weight of responsibility and how he engages legacy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com

General Pype is a pioneering Nigerian reggae/dancehall artist and songwriter. He gained international prominence through his debut single, “Keep It Cool” in 2007, which featured on the Golden Globe-winning American television series “The Shield,” and through his 2009 signature hit, “Champion." Now in Hollywood, General Pype was a set designer on Black Panther, Samaritan and Guardians of the Galaxy. Find Afrobeats Inteliigence Newsletters here: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substac...Stay connected with Afrobeats Intelligence here:Sign up for our audio podcasts here!http://afrobeatsintelligence.podlink....Website: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substac...Instagram: http://Instagram.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow)Twitter: http://twitter.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow)Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Afrobeats Intelligence TikTok: Afrobeats IntelligenceAbout Afrobeats Intelligence :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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com

Tekno (Augustine Miles Kelechi Okechukwu)  is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and music producer.In this episode, he seats with music journalist, Joey Akan, for a rare career interview. Tekno talks about leaving Abuja, signing in Lagos, navigating superstardom, losing his voice and almost unaliving himself from the sidelines of inactivity.Lots of great stories that you don’t want to miss!!Find Afrobeats Inteliigence Newsletters here: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substac...Stay connected with Afrobeats Intelligence here:Sign up for our audio podcasts here!http://afrobeatsintelligence.podlink....Website: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substac...Instagram: http://Instagram.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow)Twitter: http://twitter.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow)Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Afrobeats Intelligence (Like) TikTok: Afrobeats IntelligenceAbout Afrobeats Intelligence :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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com

Adindu Victor, popularly known as AV, is a singer and songwriter who comes from a music and entertainment enthusiastic family, ‘the Adindu’s’. With a late guitarist father, and years of leading a dance group in Benin, the Nigerian star moved to Lagos to see the lights, cameras and the crowd going wild.Find Afrobeats Inteliigence Newsletters here: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substac...Stay connected with Afrobeats Intelligence here: Sign up for our audio podcasts here!http://afrobeatsintelligence.podlink....Website: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substac...Instagram: http://Instagram.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow) Twitter: http://twitter.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow) Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Afrobeats Intelligence (Like) TikTok: Afrobeats IntelligenceAbout Afrobeats Intelligence :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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com

Don Jazzy is a Nigerian record producer and cultural entrepreneur. He is the founder and the CEO of Mavin Records, and was co-owner of the now-defunct Mo' Hits Records record label with D'banj. In this episode, he seats with music journalist, Joey Akan, chopping it up for the greatest interview ever. Don Jazzy talks about grieving, creating Mavins and running it for a decade, reinventing Himself, signing and grooming superstars and much much more!Lots of great stories that you don’t want to miss!!Find Afrobeats Inteliigence Newsletters here: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com/Stay connected with Afrobeats Intelligence here: Sign up for our audio podcasts here!http://afrobeatsintelligence.podlink.to/New-Episodes+ Subscribe now: http://bit.ly/REVOLT_Subscribe_NowWebsite: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com/Instagram: http://Instagram.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow) Twitter: http://twitter.com/AfrobeatsIntel (Follow) Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Afrobeats Intelligence (Like) TikTok: Afrobeats IntelligenceAbout Afrobeats Intelligence :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.Beyonce, Rihanna, Lil Yachty, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Solange, and many more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com

Larry Gaaga is an Artist, producer, songwriter and record label executive from Nigeria. He is also Vice President, A&R, at Def Jam Africa, a division of Universal Music Group (UMG). Gaaga began his career in 2010 after joining YSG Entertainment, and was later promoted to General Manager. He went on to forge a career as both a performer and a manager of the rapper Vector. Gaaga has released multiple singles, including his first major feature, 'Gaga Shuffle' with 2Baba, 'Doe' featuring Davido, 'Low' featuring Wizkid, 'Slow Burner' featuring Joeboy, and 'Baba Nla' featuring 2baba, Burna Boy and D’Banj.Afrobeats Intelligence is an ad-free podcast made possible by the generosity of listeners. For now, I’ve made everything available for free, but if you’ve been enjoying it, please consider supporting it financially by donating with the link: https://tryflok.com/g/JoeyAkanFor more: Subscribe to Afrobeats Intelligence Newsletter: https://afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com/Follow Afrobeats Intelligence: Twitter: https://twitter.com/afrobeatsintel/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afrobeatsintel/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com