Afropolitan

Aunty’s is a limited sculpture collection by Anthony Azekwoh, released in collaboration with Afropolitan.We are placing 200 sculptures from the collection.Acquisition is by application only.This is not a traditional purchase. Each piece is placed intentionally.Applications can be submitted here:https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTrIn this episode of The Afropolitan Podcast, we sit down with Anthony Azekwoh, a Nigerian visual artist and sculptor redefining how African memory, culture, and identity are preserved through art.This conversation introduces Aunty’s, a sculpture collection rooted in reclaiming African history after centuries of cultural theft — beginning with the looting of the Benin Bronzes in 1897. Rather than waiting for restitution, this episode explores what it means to rebuild African memory through ownership, craft, and contemporary creation.Anthony breaks down his creative process, from sketching and digital sculpting to producing physical sculptures in Nigeria using bronze, marble dust, and fiberglass. He reflects on the role of “aunties” as cultural archivists, the importance of joy and celebration in African storytelling, and why African homes can become modern museums.The conversation also goes deeper into Anthony’s personal journey. He speaks candidly about leaving university, navigating religious institutions, financial instability, NFT booms and crashes, payment barriers for African creatives, and what it took to rebuild after hitting financial rock bottom. This is a rare, unfiltered look at what it means to build art, business, and legacy from Africa — without permission.Legal Disclaimer: The opinions, statements, and views expressed by guests appearing on the Afropolitan Podcast are solely their own and do not represent the views, opinions, or positions of Afropolitan, its hosts, affiliates, or employees. Any claims or characterizations made by guests regarding third parties, including institutions or organizations, are the guest's personal opinions and should not be interpreted as statements of fact endorsed by this platform.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro & Teaser: Anthony on making his first million through prints1:28 - Welcome & Introduction to the Aunties Sculpture Collection1:47 - The History: 1897 Benin Bronze Looting & Cognitive Colonization2:39 - Why Aunties Matter to African History3:15 - Anthony Explains Why He Created the Aunties Collection4:05 - The Design Philosophy: Circles, Triangles & Making African Shapes Iconic5:06 - Creative Process: How an Idea Becomes a Sculpture6:33 - Bringing Production Home to Nigeria (3D Printing & Bronze from Benin)7:15 - "We Are Our Own Museums Now" - Art Living in Homes Worldwide9:01 - Disconnection from African Art History & Discovering It Abroad10:55 - What Anthony Wants People to Feel When They Own an Auntie12:25 - Connecting the African Diaspora Through Art13:04 - Playing Eternal Games with Eternal People16:23 - Anthony's Origin Story: Starting as a Writer Who Taught Himself to Draw16:50 - Why He Left Covenant University (The Full Story)19:52 - Peak NFT Boom & Figuring Out How to Make Art a Living24:28 - Emeka's Story: How He Got Himself Rejected from Faith Academy31:06 - The Covenant University Experience & Institutional Control35:39 - Biggest Misconceptions About Monetizing Art37:16 - The Red Man Painting & First Million Naira Moment38:45 - "You Can't Game the System" - Why Hit Paintings Can't Be Predicted39:16 - How NFTs Changed Everything for African Artists41:38 - Payment Rails Nightmare: PayPal Holding $10K for 6 Months43:43 - Why Crypto is a Lifeline for African Creators45:00 - Dad's Reaction to the Art Money Coming In47:11 - The Sculpture Business Failure: Starting 2024 at -$20K53:38 - Clearing 100 Million Naira by December54:49 - Is Web3 Dead? (Anthony's Take)56:06 - How Anthony Got Into NFTs & First Sale Story59:57 - The Crypto Crash: Losing $20-30K Overnight1:02:49 - Business Opportunities in the Art World1:05:28 - Loneliness in Building an Art Business1:11:14 - Rapid Fire Questions (Favorite Nigerian Dish, Mythical Figure, Books, Movies)1:15:22 - "There's No Plan B" - Compounding on One Thing1:15:48 - 50 Years From Now: "The Greatest Ever"1:16:20 - Gatekeeping in the Art World1:17:27 - Tattoo Stories & Parent Reactions1:23:01 - Who Should Be on the Afropolitan Podcast? (Rema's recommendation)

Gaise Baba How a Gospel Song Went Viral Before Release Faith Discipline and the Untold Story of “No Turning Back”In this episode of The Afropolitan Podcast, we sit down with Gaise Baba, one of the most important voices shaping Afro Gospel, to unpack the real story behind how his song “No Turning Back” became a global movement before it was ever officially released.From organizing free concerts while broke, to navigating criticism from the church, personal grief, and long seasons of obscurity, Gaise Baba shares a raw and honest journey built on faith, discipline, and conviction.This conversation explores how preparation meets purpose when nobody is watching.We dive into:How “No Turning Back” went viral on TikTok and Instagram before release, and why timing mattered more than strategyThe real economics of gospel music in Nigeria, and why African artists are quietly out earning Western counterpartsFaith versus logic in creativity, business, and decision makingThe backlash around modern gospel music and how Gaise Baba stayed rooted through criticismWhat it really means to build while broke, unseen, and underestimatedThis episode goes beyond music.It is about identity, discipline, legacy, grief, and cultural influence.If you are a creator, artist, founder, or someone navigating purpose in a noisy world, this conversation will stay with you.Welcome to The Afropolitan Podcast, where African stories are told with honesty, depth, and pride.Follow Gaise BabaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaisebaba/ Subscribe to Afropolitan PodcastFor more unfiltered conversations with Africa’s boldest builders and storytellers.Twitter – https://x.com/afropolitanInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcastLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/Website – https://www.afropolitan.ioJoin the Network State – https://afropolitan.io/join🔗 Community – afropolitan.io/community Newsletter – afropolitan.io/newsletter Sponsored by:VBan: The borderless banking app built for Africa’s digital workforce.Use code AFROPOLITAN to sign up → https://vban.comInverroche Gin: South Africa’s premium craft gin that fuses heritage botanicals with innovation.Discover more → https://www.inverroche.comRisevest — Invest globally in dollar-denominated stocks, real estate & fixed income.Sign up → https://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitanConvo by Afropolitan — Book 1-on-1 calls with Africa’s boldest thinkers.Visit https://convo.vip/Listen Everywhere:YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585Hosted by:Eche – https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/Chika – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/0:00 - Intro & Teaser2:09 - How Gaise Baba Got Into Gospel Music4:24 - Personal Faith Journey & Encounter at 185:57 - Navigating Criticism of Modern Gospel Sound9:08 - The Light Up Movement: Free School Concerts15:42 - Advice for Creators Building in Obscurity18:27 - No Turning Back: The Viral Rollout Strategy22:51 - The Song Blew Before It Was Released25:00 - The Unlikely Collaboration with Lawrence Oyor29:02 - Shooting the Music Video with 1,000+ Church Members36:24 - How the Lawrence Oyor Collaboration Happened41:02 - Understanding the Gospel Music Industry Economics44:29 - Nigeria as the New Frontier for Worship Music52:06 - Moving by Faith: Organizing Events with Nothing57:05 - Lessons from Berklee College of Music1:03:06 - Why Light Must Operate in Darkness1:09:05 - Christians Need to Be at the Table1:17:17 - Losing His Mom & Releasing No Turning Back1:25:01 - The Spiritual Regiment That Prepared Him1:26:12 - Advice for Young Men Finding Their Way Back to God1:34:48 - Rapid Fire: Favorite Food, Gospel Song & Artists1:38:28 - Who Should Be on the Podcast Next: Soji Labby

In this episode of Afropolitan Podcast, we sit with Tracy Nwapa, Nigerian entrepreneur, interior designer, and founder of Interior Culture by Obiageli, Slice Lagos, Pavilion a as she opens up about building culture, losing everything, and starting again in Lagos.From dominating Lagos nightlife during Detty December to navigating betrayal, co-founder conflict, and walking away from a business she built from the ground up, Tracy shares the unfiltered realities of hospitality, ownership, and resilience in Nigeria.We explore how Tracy went from media and broadcast journalism to interior design, restaurants, and nightlife, why hospitality is one of the hardest businesses in Lagos, and what it truly takes to build experiences that people remember.This conversation goes beyond nightlife.It’s about purpose, feminine leadership in male-dominated industries, building with integrity in broken systems, and why Nigeria still feels like home despite the chaos.If you’re an entrepreneur, creative, builder, or part of the African diaspora thinking about coming back home, this episode will challenge how you think about success, ownership, and resilience.Welcome to The Afropolitan Podcast where African stories are told with honesty, depth, and pride.🔗 FOLLOW THE GUESTTracy NwapaInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/Slice Lagos – https://www.instagram.com/slicelagos/ 🔗 FOLLOW AFROPOLITANWebsite – https://www.afropolitan.ioInstagram – https://instagram.com/afropolitanTwitter – https://twitter.com/afropolitanCommunity – https://afropolitan.io/communityNewsletter – https://afropolitan.io/newsletterSPONSORED BYVBan – Borderless banking for Africa’s digital workforceUse code AFROPOLITAN → https://vban.comInverroche Gin – South Africa’s premium craft gin blending heritage botanicals with innovationhttps://www.inverroche.comRisevest – Invest globally in dollar-denominated stocks, real estate & fixed incomehttps://click.risevest.com/gb0g/afropolitanConvo by Afropolitan – Book 1-on-1 calls with Africa’s boldest thinkershttps://convo.vip0:00 - Introduction2:00 - What People Get Wrong About Hospitality in Lagos4:07 - How Tracy Dominated Lagos Last December7:00 - Being a Woman in a Male-Dominated Industry8:00 - How Tracy Stumbled Into Hospitality11:28 - Advice for Diaspora Entrepreneurs Moving Back to Nigeria15:04 - What Nigeria Offers That Nowhere Else Does19:29 - Getting Into Interior Design Business25:55 - The Interior Design Business Model in Nigeria32:04 - Parents' Reaction to Her Success33:37 - Co-Founder Conflict & Walking Away from Slice42:57 - The Moment She Decided to Build Again48:00 - The Role of Rage in Rebuilding52:46 - Dealing with Betrayal from Staff57:01 - The Fundraising Journey1:00:32 - Introducing CUSP: Luxury West African Fine Dining1:05:02 - Introducing FOMO: The Future of Nightlife1:08:51 - Retirement Plans from the Nightlife Business1:21:36 - Rapid Fire Questions1:29:06 - Meeting FOMO Prime (The Robot)1:33:00 - Closing & Who Should Be Next

Tayo Aina, a filmmaker and YouTuber from Lagos, shares his incredible journey from driving Uber to becoming a leading African creator. He discusses how J. Cole's visit transformed his life and how MrBeast's recognition skyrocketed his visibility. Tayo highlights the unique challenges African creators face, from visa discrimination to monetization hurdles. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling from an African perspective and offers practical advice for aspiring creators. His insights underscore creativity's potential to reshape narratives and economies.

Tayo Oviosu, the founder and CEO of Paga, is a pioneer in African fintech with a vision for financial inclusion. He shares insights on the struggles of building digital payments in Nigeria, revealing the hidden challenges posed by local regulations and economic conditions. Tayo discusses the critical need for patient capital in Africa and how diaspora identity can be an advantage. His reflections on the long path to success and the importance of resilience offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors in the continent's evolving landscape.

Adetutu Ladetong, a creative entrepreneur and founder of WOLF Studios, shares her insights on the challenges African creators face in monetizing their content. She discusses why now is a pivotal moment for creators in Africa, with shifts in infrastructure and audience. Adetutu breaks down payment dynamics in Nigeria, what successful creators do differently, and the importance of global storytelling. She also highlights barriers posed by tech companies and advocates for local partnerships to enhance creator economies.

Dr. Julius Oni, an orthopedic surgeon and co-founder of Excite Capital, shares his inspiring journey from Johns Hopkins to transforming healthcare in Nigeria. He discusses Nigeria's $2B medical tourism opportunity and how he aims to reduce this gap with local solutions. Oni outlines his business model for sustainable healthcare in emerging markets and the importance of choosing legacy over comfort. He highlights the progress in Nigerian medical care, including innovations in fertility and sickle cell treatments, while providing guidance for professionals considering a move back home.

David Oyelowo, an acclaimed British actor and producer, discusses his groundbreaking streaming platform, Mansa, dedicated to amplifying Black narratives. He highlights the unique moment for African filmmakers, driven by technological advancements and audience demand for diverse stories. David shares insights on overcoming Hollywood’s biases, the significance of adapting Chinua Achebe’s 'Things Fall Apart' in Nigeria, and the importance of cultural authenticity. He inspires creators to build their own platforms and reclaim ownership in storytelling.

Banke Kuku, founder and creative director of Banke Kuku Textiles, shares her journey of establishing a luxury fashion brand in Nigeria, worn by celebrities like Gabrielle Union. She details her pivot to e-commerce during COVID to save her business, emphasizing the importance of maintaining local production. Banke discusses the challenges of quality control, the essence of integrity in African fashion, and how her textile training influences her designs. Her resilient mindset and commitment to creating community impact set her apart in the global market.

Austin Okere, the founder of Computer Warehouse Group and a pioneer in Nigeria's tech landscape, shares his incredible journey from a $35,000 startup to a $90 million public company. He discusses the unique challenges of entrepreneurship in Africa, the importance of ethical fundraising, and how to build trust and lasting partnerships. Austin reflects on pivotal moments like rejecting initial private equity offers and strategizing for an IPO. He also emphasizes the significance of legacy and succession planning for future leaders.