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Artwork for Afrobeats Intelligence

Afrobeats Intelligence

Joey Akan/OkayAfrica
Afrobeats
Music Industry
Nigerian Music Industry
Homeless
King Madi
Nigeria
Music Production
Creativity
Performance Dynamics
Music Career
Mental Health
Personal Growth
Kano
Collaborations
Travel Experiences
Cultural Shock
Joeboy
Lagos
Poverty
Family Dynamics

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... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes72Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music HistoryMusic InterviewsMusic

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Artwork for Afrobeats Intelligence

Latest Episodes

In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with rising Afrobeats artist MAVO, the optometrist turned pop star who has quietly built one of the most distinctive creative identities in Nigerian music. MAVO breaks down the origin of ... more

In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with veteran artist and longtime friend of the show, Dr. Sid. Dr. Sid reflects on his journey, from choosing music over a ₦45k/month job in 2005, to finding his sound with Eldee, joining... more

In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Excel Joab, Senior Manager of A&R and Artist Development at AWAL (Sony Music) for West Africa, former Content Acquisition Manager at Boomplay, co-founder of Energize Music, and a key voice in Nigerian music ... more

In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Ladipoe , Mavin Records signee, Headies award-winning rapper, and one of the leading voices in Nigerian hip-hop and Afrobeats, reflects on the current state of the genre.

Known for hits like “Know You” with... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Sid
Nigerian musician and entrepreneur; former member of Mo'Hits; involved in film and gaming ventures
Music, Gaming, Film
Episode: Dr. Sid on Mo’Hits, Career Pivots & The Reality of Longevity in Afrobeats
Excel Joab
Music executive with Boomplay, Warner/Sony AWAL, A&R and artist development
West Africa A&R/AWAL (Sony)
Episode: Excel Joab: Nigerian Music Industry ROI, What We Didn’t Learn from Afrobeats to the World & The “Now What” Moment
Wale Davies (Tec)
Rapper/producer, member of Show Dem Camp
Show Dem Camp
Episode: Wale Davies (Tec): Palmwine Pioneer, Show Dem Camp Legend & BAFTA-Winning Writer of My Father's Shadow
Joshua Baraka
Ugandan singer-songwriter known for Nana and East Africa–influenced Afrobeats
Baraka Music/Braka
Episode: Joshua Baraka on East Africa's Takeover, the Decline of Afrobeats & AI in Music
Kingsley Okonkwo
Nigerian Afrobeats artist known as Kcee
KC Presh / Kcee Presh / Okonkwo and Sons
Episode: Kcee on The Limpopo Anthem & Ojapiano
Muiwa Ouni
Manager of Tems
Episode: Tems’ manager Donawon reveals how he built her career without clout, co-signs, or major label deals — just conviction, systems, and spirit.
Kold AF
Singer-songwriter, transitioning from law school to music stardom
Episode: S3E12: Kold AF - From Law School to Afrofrusion

Host

Joey Akan
Host of Afrobeats Intelligence; journalist and curator of African music culture

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 317 ratings
  • Informative and educative podcast.

    I started listening when Tekno was on it and I had to go as far back as season one to listen to every guest who's been on it and I love the conversations. Zlatan's own is my favorite so far. That was deep.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    eagleyez7
    United States3 years ago
  • Very informative and intelligent

    I find this podcast very informative and educative.

    I’m a big fan. Jide from St. Louis Missouri 🇺🇸

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jide bash
    United States4 years ago
  • Keep going!

    thank you for what you do for the culture! documenting this era is key to pushing it to the next level. i was in a weird space when i came across this pod, and with every episode, it helped rekindle my drive as a creative. I’ve now added coming on this pod one day to my list of dreams i’m working towards. again, thank you Joey and keep going!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    C.quiat
    Canada4 years ago
  • It’s a vibe

    Happy to get up close conversations with my legends. I really like the feel of each interview

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    music nos
    Canada4 years ago
  • Afrobeats intelligence podcast

    I have loved every single one of these podcasts and cannot wait for the next thing coming out of the Afrobeats intelligence stable. Brilliant

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Omasky
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Informative and educative podcast. I love the conversations and went back season by season.
It's a vibe with close conversations with legends; consistently engaging.
A must-listen for Afrobeats lovers and industry peers alike.
Keep going! Documenting this era is key to pushing it to the next level and inspiring creatives.
Very informative and intelligent; a strong following noted for culture advancement.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Excel Joab: Nigerian Music Industry ROI, What We Didn’t Learn from Afrobeats to the World & The “Now What” Moment
Q: How do you see Africa exporting its music to the world in a way that's sustainable?
By reinforcing regional strengths, building live audiences, and leveraging data to prove value to investors, while remaining authentic to local sounds and narratives rather than chasing a Western formula.
Excel Joab: Nigerian Music Industry ROI, What We Didn’t Learn from Afrobeats to the World & The “Now What” Moment
Q: What has surprised you most about the Nigerian music industry since you started?
The scale of the workload behind the scenes and the importance of relationships; even when things look glamorous, there is a lot of grind, timing, and trust involved, and success often comes from long-term, iterative work rather than instant breakthroughs.
Wale Davies (Tec): Palmwine Pioneer, Show Dem Camp Legend & BAFTA-Winning Writer of My Father's Shadow
Q: How did Palmwine Music evolve to become a defining sound for Show Dem Camp?
Davies explains that meeting Sparks and producing in a space that felt like a family base allowed experimentation that aligned with their roots, eventually shaping Palmwine Music Volume One and the broader Palmwine movement.
Kcee on The Limpopo Anthem & Ojapiano
Q: And I'm wondering, why, why this pivot? What did you realize early that made you begin to extend the life of your artistry?
KCee emphasizes paying attention to the business and craft, recognizing that sustainability and consistency matter more than chasing awards; the pivot to more traditional and cultural sounds was about honoring his roots while expanding his reach, not abandoning his pop base. He explains that experimentation, patience, and a willingness to reinvent himself underlie his long career.
Wale on the Cost of Fame, Plans for Nigeria, Afrobeats’ Breakthrough Moment
Q: What ultimately drives you to keep pushing and evolving your sound?
A relentless desire to be the best, to tell stories with heart and detail, and to push boundaries while staying true to the culture and the diaspora's connection to Africa.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Afrobeats Intelligence

What is Afrobeats Intelligence about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show spotlights high-profile and rising African music artists, producers, and scene builders, with deep-dive conversations on how Afrobeat, Afrobeats, and related genres reach global audiences. Episodes often explore creative processes, strategic careers, industry economics, ownership, and the evolving infrastructure around African music—covering artists from Lagos to Nairobi and beyond. A standout pattern is the blend of personal storytelling with practical industry insights, including how collaborations, branding, and entrepreneurship shape long-term success. The format consistently centers on culture, craft, and the world-building behind modern African sonic excellence, making it valuable for listeners curious about pathways to inter... more

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How many listeners does Afrobeats Intelligence get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Afrobeats Intelligence?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Afrobeats Intelligence:

1. Loose Talk
2. One 54 Podcast
3. The How Far Podcast
4. I Said What I Said
5. Angie Martinez IRL

How many episodes of Afrobeats Intelligence are there?

Afrobeats Intelligence launched 4 years ago and published 72 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Afrobeats Intelligence?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Afrobeats Intelligence?

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What guests have appeared on Afrobeats Intelligence?

Recent guests on Afrobeats Intelligence include:

1. Dr. Sid
2. Excel Joab
3. Wale Davies (Tec)
4. Joshua Baraka
5. Kingsley Okonkwo
6. Muiwa Ouni
7. Kold AF

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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