Afrobeats Intelligence

FOLA sits down with Joey Akan and goes all the way back; Ibadan, the betting shop, the pen and notepad days when nobody was watching. He talks about locking in early, the people who believed in him when the gap felt impossible, and why he is grateful that he committed to the process.  From writing in private to watching crowds spend their hard-earned money to see him live, FOLA breaks down how he selects records, works with his team and even admits he sometimes pulls songs straight from his manager’s love life. He opens up about the making of his debut album Catharsis, the emotional release that defined his arrival, and what it meant to link with artists like BNXN and Davido. This is the story of focus, process, and quiet persistence paying off. Follow Joey Akan and Afrobeats Intelligence for the latest coverage on African music culture and news. Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan @afrobeatsintel Tik Tok: @joeyakan @afrobeatsintelligence X: @joeyakan @afrobeatsintel Follow FOLA:  Instagram: @Folapondis TikTok:@folapondis X: @folapondis Created and hosted by award-winning Nigerian journalist and music critic Joey Akan, Afrobeats Intelligence is presented by OkayAfrica, a division of AREYA MEDIA INC, and is sponsored by Martell. Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Winny sits down with Joey Akan for a conversation about finding her voice, trusting her instincts, and learning to create on her own terms. She reflects on growing up in Jos, discovering her voice through music, and the rejection that came early in her journey. Winny shares how leaving Jos for Lagos became a leap of faith, why she believes fear is an illusion, and what it means to keep moving when you don’t know exactly where the road will lead. Winny also talks about her approach to creativity and why she doesn’t see creating music as work. She explains the importance of entering a state of flow, shutting out external noise, and allowing ideas to find their way through her. She discusses the making of Commercial Break, the feeling of seeing Wizkid engage with her music, and how moments of recognition can reaffirm an artist’s belief in their path. Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news. Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan Tik Tok: @joeyakan X: @joeyakan Follow Winny Instagram: @winnyadanu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Alhaji Popping sits down with Joey Akan for a wide-ranging conversation about the principles that have shaped his career across entertainment, business, and culture. He reflects on the lessons his mother taught him about ego, sacrifice, honesty and knowing when to apologise, and explains why he believes excellence requires the ability to say no even when relationships are involved. He breaks down his approach to identifying value, studying the market, building stellar products, and working backwards from the outcome he wants to achieve. Alhaji also discusses why he believes everything is a product, how aesthetics, merchandising and communication shape perception, and why diversification is essential for anyone building a career in entertainment. From artists and events to brands and business, he explains the strategy and thinking that connects the different worlds he operates in. Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news. Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan Tik Tok: @joeyakan X: @joeyakan Follow Alhaji Popping Instagram: @alhajipopping X: @AlhajiPopping Created and hosted by award-winning Nigerian journalist and music critic Joey Akan, Afrobeats Intelligence is presented by OkayAfrica, a division of AREYA MEDIA INC, and is sponsored by Martell. Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits with TG Omori, one of the most prolific and influential music video directors of his generation, for a raw conversation about creativity, ambition, and what it really means to chase greatness.  The man behind hundreds of videos (including cultural landmarks like Naira Marley’s “Soapy,” Olamide & Wizkid’s “Totori,” Kizz Daniel & Tekno’s “Buga,” Fireboy & Asake’s “Bandana,” and the entire visual world of Asake’s breakthrough Mr. Money with the Vibe traces his path from directing simply to survive to intentionally building a body of work and visual identities meant to outlive him.  He opens up about the mindset shift that changed everything, why money stopped being the driver, the health crisis that forced him to rediscover his craft, the evolution of Nigerian music videos, the rise of visualizers, AI’s threat and opportunity, and why today’s directors operate in a completely different landscape.  This is a conversation about purpose, resilience, artistic responsibility, and the deliberate choice of greatness from the director who helped define how a generation of Afrobeats looks and feels. Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news.Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan Tik Tok: @joeyakan X: @joeyakan Follow TG OmoriInstagram: @boy_director Created and hosted by award-winning Nigerian journalist and music critic Joey Akan, Afrobeats Intelligence is presented by OkayAfrica, a division of AREYA MEDIA INC, and is sponsored by Martell. Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising stars, Shoday, to unpack the journey behind his breakout run. From the viral success of Purr and Hey Jago to the meaning behind “Caution Boy,” Shoday explains how he’s building a career rooted in authenticity rather than hype. He reflects on his early struggles, the pressure that comes with viral success, and why consistency matters more than chasing trends. Shoday also opens up about working with his team, trusting God’s timing, creating records that connect emotionally, and why he wants listeners craving his music before it even drops. As the conversation unfolds, Joey and Shoday discuss the future of Afrobeats, the responsibilities of a new generation of artists, and what it truly takes to build a lasting legacy in today’s music industry. Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news. Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan Tik Tok: @joeyakan X: @joeyakan Follow Shoday  Instagram: Shoday Tik Tok: ShodayX: Officialshoday Created and hosted by award-winning Nigerian journalist and music critic Joey Akan, Afrobeats Intelligence is presented by OkayAfrica, a division of AREYA MEDIA INC, and is sponsored by Martell.  Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices