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Afrobeats Intelligence

Joey Akan/OkayAfrica

Created and hosted by award-winning Nigerian journalist Joey Akan, Afrobeats Intelligence is the podcast extension of the popular music newsletter, Afrobeats Intelligence. Presented by OkayAfrica and sponsored by premium cognac brand Martell, Afrobeats Intelligence explores the intersection of art, humanity, and the processes that give birth to African sonic excellence.

Through eclectic interviews that spotlight creativity from Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and beyond, Joey invites listeners every other Friday to take a snapshot into the soul of an industry pushing toward global greatness. Together, we examine the past, present, and future of African music, democratizing access to the ideas, people, and movements shaping its evolution.


If you are new to Afrobeats Intelligence, start here!

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  • 23 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 1 hr 3 min
  • English

Episodes 23

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  • Jul 4, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min

    Ruger on Making Blown Boy Ru, Getting Co-Signed by Wizkid & His New Label | Afrobeats Intelligence

    What does it take to bounce back and build from scratch? In this new episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits with Nigerian dancehall star Ruger—the artist behind hits like Asiwaju, Girlfriend, and Toma Toma—to break down his evolution from viral sensation to label boss. Fresh off launching his label Blown Boy Entertainment and releasing his new album Blown Boy Ru, Ruger opens up about heartbreak, hate, and healing. He talks about sneaking out to study Dancehall, learning to write in Patois, and how songs like "Warning" and "Make Way" reflect his truth. He shares what it was like leaving his former label, facing doubters who said he’d fall off, and how Wizkid’s tweet gave him the push to keep going, he says after dropping "Toma Toma" with Tiwa Savage. Now running his own show, Ruger reflects on artist development, mental discipline, and why his next signee “has to be better than me.” He also breaks down his joint project with BNXN (Buju)—Romeo Must Die—and how collaboration showed a new side of him. Whether you're a fan of Afrobeats, Dancehall, or the business behind the music, this conversation cuts deep—streaming from Lagos to London, Toronto to Houston, wherever the African sound resonates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Jun 27, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min

    Young Jonn on Life After Grief, Building Hits, TikTok Charts & World Tours | Afrobeats Intelligence

    “Olamide taught me work ethic.” In this captivating episode of Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast, host Joey Akan sits down with Nigerian sensation Young Jonn, the hitmaker who transitioned from a prolific producer to a chart-topping artist. Known for bangers like “Dada” and his game-changing work with YBNL, Young Jonn shares the raw journey behind his music and his rise to global stages. Young Jonn opens up about his vibrant personality and early stage performances (0:00–7:00), recounting his first-ever show (5:05–6:07). He details his emotional switch from producer to artist, sparked by the loss of his mother (6:47–11:56), and how manager Isioma pushed him to drop “Dada” (10:30–11:58). He reflects on settling into his new artistic identity (12:00–16:45) and his musical roots, from church to abandoning football dreams (16:45–21:30, 20:10–21:30). Young Jonn dives into his producer come-up, meeting Olamide, and crafting “Story for the Gods” (21:31–31:46, 23:45–26:43), sharing hustle lessons from Olamide (27:25–29:00). He breaks down his fast-paced production style that reshaped Nigerian music (31:50–37:02, 31:50–33:36), his growth with Chocolate City (37:33–46:00), and the global reach of Afrobeats through his performances in Europe and the US (46:00–end). Join Joey Akan and Young Jonn for an inspiring deep dive into creativity, resilience, and the pulse of Afrobeats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Jun 20, 2025 · 59 min

    Tiwa Savage on Motherhood, Nigerian Fame & Why Afrobeats Overlooks Women | Afrobeats Intelligence

    In this unforgettable episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with the one and only Tiwa Savage — singer, songwriter, and enduring icon of the African music movement. With a career that’s spanned continents and broken barriers, Tiwa gets candid about her journey, from joining Mavin Records to navigating fame, motherhood, and her return to R&B. She opens up about being pregnant while recording the RED album, the hunger for money as a rising star, and what it really took to build a career that has lasted over a decade. Joey and Tiwa explore the challenges of championing sensuality in a conservative industry, Tiwa’s Afro-RnB sound, working with Beyoncé on Keys to the Kingdom, and what it means to raise a son while also raising a legacy. 0:00–1:45 – Separation between home and work 1:45–3:43 – Tiwa’s hopes for her son 3:43–8:34 – Laying the foundation for longevity in music 8:34–11:15 – “I started late” – on timing and career doubts 11:15–13:56 – Navigating structure in a chaotic industry 13:56–15:44 – Scaling and surviving as a woman in music 15:44–19:15 – Championing sensuality in conservative Nigeria 19:15–20:59 – “Come home, Tiwa” – Leaving L.A. for the Nigerian market 20:59–24:39 – Becoming ‘Tiwa Savage’ full time 24:39–26:48 – Defining Afro-RnB 26:48–27:45 – Telling stories through projects 27:45–32:30 – From Mavin Records to the major leagues 32:30–34:48 – A popstar becomes a mother 34:48–36:41 – Ten years later: reflecting on a legendary run 36:41–40:02 – Staying true while staying versatile 40:02–42:53 – Working with Beyoncé and approaching perfection 42:53–46:29 – Building a sustainable music industry in Nigeria 46:29–end – Tiwa on Afrobeats to the World and her legacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Showing 21–23 of 23 episodes