Afrobeats Intelligence

D'banj is a Nigerian singer, rapper, businessman and the founder of the defunct Mo' Hits Records with producer Don Jazzy. He has several music awards, including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009, Best International Act: Africa at the 2011 BET Awards, and Best-selling African Artist at the 2014 World Music Awards, Evolution award at the 2015 MTV Africa Music awards. D'banj is best known internationally for his 2012 summer hit "Oliver Twist," an uptempo dance fusion of Afrobeats and electronic dance music that topped the African charts in 2011 and was a top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012 reaching No. 2 on the UK R&B chart. 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

​​Chidinma is a Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter. In 2010, she rose to stardom after winning the third season of Project Fame West Africa. She’s gone on to dominate pop music with a string of hits including ‘Emi ni baller’ and ‘Kedike.’ In May 2021, after a prolonged absence from public life, Chidinma announced her switch to Gospel Music. Leaving her pop career behind and becoming God’s vessel. She speaks about her transition to faith-based art, her struggle to fit in, and her transformation into a minister of God.  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

Oyinkansola Foza Fawehinmi is an award-winning lawyer and entertainment business executive currently based in Lagos, Nigeria. She's the president of Digital Music Commerce and Exchange Limited, an intellectual property valuation, management and administration company serving sub-Saharan Africa. Over the last 9years, she has served as a legal advisory and business consultant for some of Africa’s most reputable entertainment companies and artists like Chocolate City Music, Premier Records, Boomplay Music, Infinix Nigeria, K1 De Ultimate, Teni, Adekunle Gold, The Sarz Academy, Sarz and 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

Zlatan Ibile is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. Zlatan made his number on the African music industry when he pioneered and rode the Zanku subgenre into a cultural moment for the continent. We speak of his origins in Ikorodu, a far-flung place on the outskirts of Lagos, where dreams are seldom pursued.Subscribe to podcast to receive it each week.  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

Victony, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter who officially kicked off his music career in 2017 with the release of a mixtape onSoundCloud titled "The Outlaw King." He started off solely as a rapper and later honed his skills and developed dynamic artistry that perfectly swings between different genres such as R&B, Trap, Afropop and other genres.In 2021, Victony was involved in a car accident that almost claimed his legs and had him in a wheelchair for months. Despite this setback, Victony managed to put out several acclaimed singles during the year including 'Pray' and the Mayorkun hit collab 'Holy Father'. He also collaborated with Grammy-winning producer Rexxie to release a dance capsule, 'Nataraja.' Victony sees his music as the best language to communicate in today's world and hopes to change the world with his music in its truest form and will propagate his art on a wider scale in 2022! 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

Chike is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and actor. Best regarded for his critically and commercially acclaimed album, Boo Of The Booless, he first hit the mainstream via Nigerian reality competition, Project Fame West Africa and The Voice Nigeria. Chike made his acting debut as Mayowa Badmus on the Africa Magic Showcase telenovela, Battleground, and has gone on to star in big-budget feature films. 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

Osagie Osarenz is an African music industry professional. A famed talent manager, and acute operator in African sound culture and business, she's currently the Director of A&R and Operations at ONErpm, a full-service data-driven music business solutions provider, helping artists succeed in today's global music market. Osagie's contribution in the music industry has shepherded the discovery and growth of superstars including Wizkid, Skales, Timaya, Aramide, and 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

T.G Omori is Nigeria's most in-form music video director. The elite creative pushes the most expressive and progressive aesthetics in Afrobeats. He hs the heart and pulse of Afrobeats in a chokehold, pushing the edgiest and creative videos from Nigeria, and beyond. The is the guy who's giving 'Afrobeats to the world,' the visual treatment it deserves. 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

Nigerian comic, Basketmouth's successful return to music has surprised Africans, with two chart-topping albums (Yabasi and Horoscopes) crowding the scoreboard with his wins. A pop culture legend, Basketmouth has spent years leading comedy on the continent, racking up awards, and defining a generation of Nigerian entertainers. He appears on the AI Podcast with collaborator, friend and prolific producer, Duktor Sett. They explore their collaboration, partnerships and how to make a great Afrobeats track! 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

Asa is a superstar from Nigeria. Championed around the globe for her expansive approach to music, she’s Africa’s leading progressive artist, with a catalogue that runs through 5 albums, capturing the soul of her people. It’s hard to think of an artist from West Africa who has traversed as many spaces—with class, creativity, and soul—as she has. With a voice as rich as her catalogue of inspirations, the Nigerian native singer-songwriter and multi-platinum selling recording artist fuses Pop, Afro pop-driven, and soft-soul, taking cues from cross-continental greats– from Fela Kuti to Miriam Makeba; King Sunny Adé to Sade; Tina Turner to Lenny Kravitz.A soaring vocalist and masterful guitarist, Asa is a calming presence blending Parisian jazz, Yoruba folk and soul into her albums. She writes personal lyrics ranging from her love life and mental health to her extensive travels and interactions with people. 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