

Afrobeats Intelligence
Joey Akan/OkayAfrica
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 30, 2022 • 1h 46min
#S2E3: CKay — Man, Music, Emotions
CKay is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer signed to Warner Music South Africa, and Atlantic Records. Formerly signed to Chocolate City, his international hit single "Love Nwantiti", released in 2019 became the first African song in history to surpass one billion streams on Spotify. With array of certifications across multiple countries, he dominates the Afrobeats scoreboard, picking up plaques in every major music market. His debut album, "Sad Romance," is out now.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

Sep 22, 2022 • 1h 58min
#S2E2: Erigga — The Lost Paper Boi
Erigga is a Nigerian singer and rapper who has dedicated his career so far to the elevation of rap music in South-South Nigeria. After distinguishing himself in pidgin rap from his base in Warri, the hometown hero has packed out stadiums, enjoys grassroot love, is certified by the streets, and continues to represent the best of Niger Delta hip hop culture. His fifth studio album, "The Lost Boy," is out now. For 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

Sep 15, 2022 • 1h 54min
#S2E1: BNXN — Bad Since Forever
BNXN (pronounced as Benson) and formerly known as Buju, is a Nigerian Afro-fusion singer and songwriter. A master of melodies, his latest EP, "Bad Since 97," is a bouyant exercise in self-mythology, introspection and creative growth. For 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

Jul 27, 2022 • 2h
#17: Omah Lay — Embrace Your Demons
Omah Lay is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer who consolidated his mainstream acceptance after his self-produced single, "Bad Influence," soundtracked the pandemic. After two collaborations with Justin Bieber and a debilitating struggle with his demons from Port Harcourt, he's poured his suffering into his latest album, Boy Alone. 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

Jul 20, 2022 • 1h 25min
#16: Falz — Nigeria's Bahddest Creator
Falz is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter and actor who began his career while in secondary school, but has progressed to become accomplished in music, acting and comedy. He currently owns an independent record label, called Bahd Guys Records. His sixth studio album, "BAHD" 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

Jul 7, 2022 • 2h 21min
#15: Jesse Jagz — Hip Hop's Rasta Emperor
Jesse Jagz is a Nigerian rapper, producer and songwriter. After joining Chocolate City in 2010, Jagz released his debut studio album, "Jag of All Tradez." in the same year. He left Chocolate City in 2013 and announced the launch of his independent label, Jagz Nation. Jagz released his second studio album Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come in 2013; it included singles such as 'Redemption,' 'Bad Girl,' 'Sex & Scotch' and 'God on the Mic.' His third studio album, Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company, was released in 2014. He returned to Chocolate City in 2015 but left the laxbel again prior to releasing his fourth studio album Odysseus in 2017. In May 2020, he released a 5-track EP titled "Garba." 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

Jun 29, 2022 • 45min
#14: JAE5 — From London to Lagos
JAE5 is a British-Ghanaian record producer and mixing engineer from Plaistow, East London. He is a Grammy Award-winning producer and is signed to Black Butter Records. Jae5 is popularly credited with pioneering the fusion genre of Afro Swing. His sound is described as a fusion between grime, afrobeats, bashment, and dancehall. 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

Jun 9, 2022 • 1h 25min
#13: Whitemoney — From Barbershop to Stardom
Whitemoney is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and reality TV star. He is the winner of Big Brother Naija season 6. Prior to his mainstream attention, Whitemoney was entrepreneurial, launching a string of businesses including catering, commercial photography, hairstyling, generator repairs, fixing telecommunication towers, and international trade in shoes. 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

Jun 1, 2022 • 1h 44min
#12: Brymo — Nigeria's Maverick Scientist
Brymo is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and author. With 12 studio albums, two live albums, EPs and a string of packed out shows, he’s regarded as one of Nigeria’s most talented musicians, and perhaps, his generation’s most polarizing. His latest album Theta is available in all stores. 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

May 27, 2022 • 1h 36min
#11: Godwin Tom — The Vice-Chancellor of Afrobeats
Godwin Tom is a master talent manager, entrepreneur, elite music business tutor and founder of the Music Business Academy for Africa. Over the years, he has successfully worked with a range of top-tier talents including Wizkid, Davido, Waje, MI, Wande Coal, Bez, Ice Prince, Bez, Show Dem Camp, Beverly Naya, Yung6ix, "Jessy Jagz, Rooftop MCs, Solid Star, Ayo Jay, Goldie, and many others.Godwin has dedicated the last 5 years of his career to developing and training future stakeholders and leaders of the entertainment industry, and has founded Music Business Academy for Africa, the continent’s first-ever music business school, dedicated to seeding new music execs, and growing the competency levels of established music business professionals. In partnership with MusicAlly, he is currently facilitating the British Council's Creative Enterprise Support Programme (CESP) for Music in Nigeria.He is also the author of the eBook series "Journey Of A Learner" a 12 part ebook series about navigating the African entertainment industry. 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


