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Before modern borders, there was the water. For DJ Norsicaa, unearthing the lost vinyl records of Southeast Asia is a way to trace those ancient currents back to her roots. Growing up Malaysian-Australian and often feeling "othered," she found a profound connection by digging into the largely untapped 20th-century records of the Asia-Pacific. What started as a personal hobby has now become a public mission. During her eight years as General Manager at London’s Soundway Records, Norsicaa oversaw more than 100 releases. The catalyst for her current path was her 2024 compilation "Ayo ke Disco" ("Let's go to the disco"). Featuring 10 tracks that embody the musical identities of the South China Sea during the 1970s and 80s, it earned Gilles Peterson’s "Best Compilation of 2024" title and served as the stepping stone for her own imprint. Launched in May 2026, Sama Sama Records focuses on high-fidelity sound, history, and global music communities. The label’s name reflects a deep pre-colonial history. Sama sama stems from a shared root word meaning "Same" across Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Melayu, and Tagalog. It is a sonic reminder of the maritime trade that proves the region is made up of "SEAblings": siblings, not strangers. Listen to our latest In Convo with Kennedy Ashinze as Norsicaa opens up about analog preservation, reclaiming her identity, and the future of the label. Recorded on location at Bartiga, Jakarta. Special thanks to Leno Rei.

This visionary is rewriting the rules of global luxury. Meet Chief Ugo Mozie: designer, creative entrepreneur and storyteller.For over a decade, his fearless style has shaped the world’s biggest stages, dressing icons, collaborating with legendary houses: from Vivienne Westwood, Valentino, Dolce and Gabbana, Balmain, and recently styling the incomparable Diana Ross for the Met Gala.On our recent trip to Lagos during its vibrant art/culture season (Lagos Fashion Week, ART X, Lagos Photo Festival, etc.), Globetrotter Lab's Kennedy Ashinze caught up with Ugo for a chat. With his highly anticipated brand, Eleven Sixteen, Ugo is proving that world-class couture, true luxury, and the future of fashion aren’t imported to Africa; they’re born here. This is the new Made in Africa. And it’s just getting started.

For over 30 years, Kunle Tejuosho has built something Lagos couldn't exist without. Part record store, part bookshop, part sanctuary, the Jazzhole is where culture gets preserved, passed down, and rediscovered. In the middle of one of the world's most chaotic cities, he built a room where time slows down. This is his story, told exclusively to Globetrotter Lab's Kennedy Ashinze for our latest installment of "People & Spaces".

In this installment of "People & Spaces", Globetrotter Lab’s Kennedy Ashinze meets with Wunika Mukan at her gallery in Lagos for a tour of the space and a deep dive into the evolution of the contemporary art scene. Since the inception of Wunika Mukan Gallery in Lagos six years ago, Wunika has dedicated her career to promoting the works of emerging artists from Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the diaspora. With a background in prominent non-profit foundations, she brings a unique passion and confidence to curating the quirky and edgy artworks the gallery is known for today.In this conversation, Wunika reflects on founding her gallery during the pandemic and the resilience required to thrive in a shifting landscape. She describes the period around 2020 as the "Wild West"—a time of explosive digital discovery and social media hype. Central to her philosophy is the belief that great progress cannot be rushed. As she says: "Time is God." We explore why it is a great time to be a Black artist and gallerist, the transition toward a mature market, and why curation must be viewed as an act of care.

For over a century, Ògógóró, Africa's indigenous spirit, was banned, pushed underground, and demonized by the colonial law. Pedro's co-founders Chibu Akukwe and Lola Pedro spent years crossing Nigeria before launching Pedro's, Africa's first premium Ògógóró. In a conversation with Globetrotter Lab's Kennedy Ashinze for the latest installment of "Process", Chibu explains the true meaning of Ògógóró, what colonization did to it, and what it took to bring it back, from community producers in Delta State to Michelin-starred restaurant menus in Europe. Connect with us!https://globetrotterlab.com/https://www.instagram.com/globetrotterlab/https://www.youtube.com/@Globetrotterlab

Twenty-three years in Bali. Still planting seeds. Kamau Abayomi on culture, hip-hop and why he never left.

One rule. Never repeat a joke. That rule turned Bovi Ugboma into a monster—and Nigeria's most complete entertainer. Writer, actor, stand-up maestro. A man who locked in as a child, moved to Lagos with his own curriculum, and built a career with an unwillingness to accept a ceiling. 01:00 Intro00:42 Making his comedy relevant01:34 Between skit makers and stand-up comedians02:48 The beginning: How Bovi learned comedy03:16 "I knew I was meant for TV"05:09 "I came with my own curriculum": Starting his career06:16 "It made me a monster"06:41 Creating jokes for different tribes in Africa10:12 "Be water": Being flexible with comedy11:39 OutroPart 2 coming soon.

"Black kids, Amsterdam, no accounts, opening up a store. It’s crazy." For the first Visions of Visionaries installment of 2026, Globetrotter Lab sits down with a true pillar of global street culture: Edson Sabajo, co-founder of Patta. Founded in 2004 by Edson and Guillaume "Gee" Schmidt, Patta has grown from a local Amsterdam boutique into a world-renowned independent ecosystem. The "Architecture of Independence" is their manual—a blueprint that prioritized cities like Milan and Lagos over the traditional industry hubs of Paris and Berlin. Built on Surinamese roots and a "people-first" philosophy, Patta remains the definitive case study on how a brand can scale globally while remaining fiercely sovereign.Recorded at Suudu Lagos—the members-only creative hub and home to Patta affiliates—this three-part series deconstructs the Patta manual. In Part 1, Edson reflects on the 360-degree journey from his heritage back to the African continent, and the raw energy he witnessed firsthand on the ground in Jakarta. Featuring: Edson Sabajo of Patta Location: Recorded at Suudu, Lagos & Patta Lagos Host: Kennedy Ashinze

Lagos-based industrial designer and artist Nifemi Marcus-Bello has brought his solo exhibition, “Material Affirmations – ORÍKÌ Acts I–III,” home, following a successful tour across the world. The show also proves to be a hometown favorite and has recently been extended for one week until January 17th, due to popular demand.   Revolving around material and identity, “Oríkì” is a look at the past, present, and future through an exploration of bronze, aluminum, and copper. Named after a practice of praise poetry in the Yoruba culture, the show is a labor of love that took Nifemi around three-and-a-half years to complete.   Coming back to Nigeria is a full circle moment for Nifemi, who draws from African traditions and finds his inspiration in his family. Speaking with Globetrotter Lab’s Kennedy Ashinze, Nifemi shares his views on the art landscape in Nigeria, his vision for open-source design, and more.

Chicago-based DJ, music historian, and cultural curator Duane Powell has become a vital fixture on the global soul scene. Since 1999, his Soundrotation brand has championed rising Chicago talents, notably through the bi-weekly Sunday Service dance party at Stony Island Arts Bank.  Powell actively shares Chicago's rich, multi-genre history through his Rear View Mirror Sessions lecture series, presented at institutions like UChicago Arts and Stanford University. He also gives back to his city by partnering with the Rebuild Foundation and serving on the board of the Frankie Knuckles Foundation.  Listen now on Apple Music, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Meet Masaya Fantasista, the visionary founder and "captain" of the Japanese brand Jazzy Sport. What began over two decades ago as a record label and store has organically evolved into a vibrant community encompassing a dance studio, climbing gym, apparel shop, café, and even a garden. This belief in unity and collaboration extends to his vision for a more connected Asia.At its core, Jazzy Sport is a testament to Masaya's philosophy built on radical inclusivity, where he draws parallels between life, jazz, and sports, emphasizing teamwork and individual strengths."Each member has their own personality, so it's all different," he explains. "You have to find out the strong points and weaknesses of your teammates... Then, you have to use the others’ strong points and help those with weaknesses. That makes a stronger team."On our recent visit to Japan, Globetrotter Lab’s Kennedy Ashinze sat down with Masaya. He shares more on his vision for a more united Asia, his initiative to purchase a mountain in Nagano for a dog rescue (think "Jazzy Dog"), and the importance of inclusive communities.Special thanks to Zushi Film Festival and Cinema Caravan.

At 70, Grammy-nominated Sir Kahil El’Zabar continues to push the boundaries of jazz. As the visionary leader of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, he has captivated audiences worldwide for decades. This year marked the 50th anniversary of Kahil’s group the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. With no signs of slowing down, Sir Kahil has released his 18th album and also embarked on a historic world tour that just concluded in his hometown of Chicago. To celebrate this milestone, we revisit our conversation with the legendary percussionist and multi-instrumentalist in which we had the honor of visiting his personal performance building/studio, "The Colabyrinth," the labyrinth for collaboration on the west side of Chicago. In this latest episode of our “In Convo” series, Kahil talks to Globetrotter’s Kennedy Ashinze about witnessing music history, the state of cultural affairs, and coalescing a creative culture network, inspiring and still hitting with the next generation of musicians and more. Join us as we explore the enduring legacy of this living icon. Listen now! Connect with us Website: https://globetrotterlab.com/ Instagram: @globetrotterlab

Rewind to our chat with Corey Gilkey at Chicago's iconic Leaders 1354. More than just a streetwear staple, Leaders 1354 is a movement on a mission to mentor and inspire the next generation of leaders. At its heart is its charismatic founder, Corey Gilkey, a true entrepreneur and community leader. In our latest In Convo episode, Corey joins Globetrotter's Kennedy Ashinze to discuss his vision for inspiring the next generation, expanding beyond the US, his passion for community, his various entrepreneurial endeavors, and more. Website: globetrotterlab.com IG: @globetrotterlab

REWIND to our chat with Daniel Mitchell, co-founder of Space Available in Bali, an eco-conscious and regenerative design company. Daniel's mission? To create a tangible impact by transforming plastic waste into beautiful, sustainable products. In this "In Convo" episode, Globetrotter’s Kennedy Ashinze sat down with Daniel to discuss Bali, building a better relationship with plastic, creating a sustainable future, and more! “If you don’t make space for yourself, how can you make space for anybody else” - Daniel Mitchell Connect with us! https://globetrotterlab.com/ IG: globetrotterlab

Jakarta's acclaimed Pantja Bar is raising a glass to its 5th anniversary. Fresh off its #27 ranking on Asia's 50 Best Bars list, the bar pays homage to the unsung heroes of mixology. In the latest episode of our "In Convo" original series, Pantja's co-founder Kabir Suharan sits down with Globetrotter Lab's founder Kennedy Ashinze and talks celebrating the bar’s present by honoring history through their new cocktail menu, "Tribute." This innovative collection celebrates the pioneering contributions of Black bartenders and female trailblazers who have shaped the industry. Listen now! Connect with us! Web: https://globetrotterlab.com/ IG: @globetrotterlab