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Jyde Ajala is one of the most in-demand music video directors in Afrobeats. After studying film production at Full Sail University in Florida and working for over a decade in the United States, he returned to Nigeria just before the COVID-19 lockdown with a clear mission: to bring a stronger narrative and cinematic approach to the local music video space. He founded Old Soldier Inc. and built his career from the ground up. In a short time, he has become a key visual collaborator for some of the biggest names in the genre. He has directed multiple projects for Olamide (including Jinja, Metaverse, Kai! with Wizkid, Billionaires Club with Wizkid and Darkoo, and Hello Habibi with Russ), as well as major videos for Fireboy DML (Oh My, Obaa Sima), Omah Lay (Holy Ghost), Asake (including Amapiano and New Religion with Olamide), Tems (Love Is a Kingdom visuals), Victony, CKay, Joeboy, Seyi Vibez, Bella Shmurda, and others. His work often spans international locations and blends high production values with a clear understanding of each artist’s world. In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Jyde sits with Joey Akan to discuss how he approaches visual direction as more than just shooting a video, how he thinks about an artist’s identity, the creative worlds they want to build, and the constant negotiation between artistic ambition and what audiences actually respond to. He also speaks candidly about the realities of the job: shrinking budgets, the economics of production, the absence of royalties and residuals for directors, and why music videos still matter in an era of short-form visualisers — not just for the numbers they generate today, but for the legacy they leave behind. 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 Jyde Ajala:  Instagram: @jydeajala 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

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

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 his self-created vocabulary, the feeling-first philosophy behind records like Tumo Weto, Escaladizzy, Use Me, and Mofe, and how he balanced optometry school with building his music career. He opens up about creating music that feels authentic rather than forced, why simplicity is his greatest creative weapon, how his team built Killer Brother Records from the ground up, and why faith remains at the center of everything he does. MAVO also reflects on becoming one of the leading voices of a new generation, navigating success, protecting his creativity from social media, and why he believes fans should want the music before he gives it to them. Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news. Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan Tik Tok: @joeyakan X: @joeyakan Follow MAVO Instagram: Mavoswago Tik Tok: Mavo X: @mavoswago 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 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 Mo’Hits, and beginning his creative partnership with Don Jazzy. He breaks down the making of key records like “Ten Ten” (his transition from rap to singing), “Close to You,” and the hit “Surulere,” while sharing lessons on understanding hits versus misses, the role of gatekeepers in the industry, and the mindset required for longevity.He also discusses his pivot into gaming and knowing when it was time to evolve. Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news. Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan Tik Tok: @joeyakan X: @joeyakan Follow Dr. Sid Instagram: @iamdrsid Facebook: Dr. SidX: Dr. Sid on X 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, 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 strategy, breaks down the current realities of the Nigerian music industry. He discusses ROI in the business, the lessons we failed to learn from the global explosion of Afrobeats, the “Now What” moment Nigerian music finds itself in, and the international partners who have exited the market. A clear-eyed conversation on sustainability, growth, and the road ahead for artists, labels, and the industry. Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news. Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan Tik Tok: @joeyakan Follow Excel Joab Instagram: @exceljoab Podcast: UNHEARD INSIGHTS with Excel Joab   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, 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 Simi and “Feeling” with Bnxn, and recognised as a key figure in the new wave of Nigerian rap, Ladipoe discusses what has changed in Afrobeats, what has stayed the same, and the growing urgency he senses from the fan base. He talks about the importance of a strong opening song, how each artist forges their own identity, the “guiding delusion” in the industry, why tension remains constant, his thoughts on beef, and institutions in the scene.  He also gives an update on his plans for a new album this year. A candid conversation about artistry, evolution, and the road ahead. Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news. Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan Tik Tok: @joeyakan Follow Ladipoe Instagram: @ladipoe Facebook: Ladipoe Website: Ladipoe 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

On this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with Wale Davies (Tec), one half of the revered rap duo Show Dem Camp, cultural architect of the Palmwine Music movement, and now acclaimed screenwriter whose work on My Father's Shadow has earned major international recognition, including a BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut and multiple AMVCA wins (including Best Writing and Best Movie). Wale reflects on the grind of building a career with full independence in Nigeria’s music industry: early resistance, the deliberate choice to stay independent, and the creation of a loyal, cross-generational community through authentic storytelling and sonic experimentation. He traces the evolution of Show Dem Camp and the Palmwine sound, while unpacking his bold expansion into film, artist development, and cultural documentation. He dives deep into the making of My Father's Shadow — the deeply personal, semi-autobiographical film co-written with his brother Akinola Davies Jr. — its historic Cannes premiere, and the weight of telling intimate Nigerian stories on the global stage. From the realities of creating in Nigeria versus international markets, to the philosophy of “dying empty” by fully realizing one’s creative potential, this conversation is a powerful masterclass in ownership, longevity, legacy, and platforming African narratives. A rich, insightful dialogue about building something meaningful that transcends one industry. Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news. Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan Tik Tok: @joeyakan Follow Wale Davies Instagram:  kingxdavies 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence (powered by Martell 🥃), host Joey Akan sits down with Shallipopi, the Pluto originator who has rapidly become one of Afrobeats’ most distinctive and commercially dominant voices. From his 2023 breakout with “Elon Musk” and Planet Pluto, to back-to-back #1 albums Presido La Pluto and Shakespopi, Shallipopi’s momentum shows no signs of slowing. His latest project, Auracle, continues the streak, debuting at #1 on Apple Music and further cementing his global reach.  Joey and Shallipopi dive deep into the realities of explosive success, the personal transition from dance video creator in Benin City (alongside his brothers) to chart-topping artist, and the relentless work ethic behind the music, including the story of making an album in just days.  Shallipopi unpacks how he’s carving out a fresh sub-genre within Afrobeats, blending street energy, futuristic sounds, and his signature Plutomania style, while expanding the sound’s international footprint. They also explore high-profile collaborations with Wizkid, Burna Boy, Rauw Alejandro, and others, plus the mindset required to stay grounded amid rapid fame.  Raw, insightful, and full of industry wisdom, this conversation captures Shallipopi’s unique creative universe and his vision for the next chapter of Afrobeats. Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news. Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan Tik Tok: @joeyakan Follow Shallipopi Instagram:  theycallmeshallipopi  Snapchat:  Shallipopi  Website: https://www.theycallmeshallipopi.com/  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.⁠⁠    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Uganda has always had the culture. Now it has the moment. Joshua Baraka is the Kampala-bred artist making a case for East Africa's place at the center of the global music conversation, not as a footnote to Afrobeats, but as a creative force with its own sonic identity, emotional depth, and artistic integrity. His breakout hit "Nana" didn't just chart, it made a statement about what East African music can mean on a world stage. In this conversation with Joey Akan, Baraka goes beyond the geography debate. He breaks down the philosophical divide between East and West African music cultures, why he believes Afrobeats is showing signs of decline, and what it means to make art in an era when AI can replicate the sound but not the soul. He also speaks candidly about the industry's obsession with numbers over artistry, navigating social media scrutiny, and why this moment in African music history demands more from its creators. That live-first culture shapes his skepticism of AI's ceiling in music too. You can generate a track. You can't accumulate the human experience that makes a performance land.  Joshua discusses: The realities of breaking out from a non-dominant market in African music The importance of identity in a globalized industry, How young artists are redefining what Afrobeats can sound like. Navigating early success, trusting your creative instincts, and building a career that travels beyond borders. Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news. Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan Tik Tok: @joeyakan Follow Joshua Baraka Instagram:  itsjoshuabaraka Tik Tok: itsjoshuabaraka 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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the gritty streets of Ajegunle in Lagos, where he once dreamed of a football career, to winning the Star Quest talent show with his duo KC Presh in 2002, Kcee has spent over two decades shaping the sound of Nigerian music. He exploded globally with the infectious 2013 hit “Limpopo,” which became a dancefloor movement, then continued to reinvent himself with club anthems like “Pullover,” “Okoso,” and later experiments in Ojapiano and highlife. KCee discusses: His evolution: the shift from hip-hop and Afropop while embracing his Igbo roots through the groundbreaking Cultural Praise series, sonically diverse albums like Mr. Versatile (2024) and the fresh 2025 highlife-Afrobeats fusion Okonkwo and Sons Unlimited. Longevity in an industry that often discards veterans, The business of reinvention and family ties with his brother E-Money,  Why he’s still dropping hits and packing international stages well into his 40s.   Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news.Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan Tik Tok: @joeyakan Follow KCee Instagram: @iam_kcee Facebook: kceeWebsite: Mr. Versatile 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 rising DJ and cultural curator Aniko, one of the key figures shaping Lagos’ growing electronic music and rave scene. Known for her bi-monthly Group Therapy events, Aniko has built a community-driven movement that exists alongside, and sometimes outside of, the mainstream Afrobeats ecosystem. Aniko discusses: Her journey from aspiring DJ to international touring artist Building a name independently in a fast-changing music scene Bridging Afrobeats, electronic music, and Lagos nightlife culture Staying grounded while contributing to Africa’s evolving soundscape Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news. Substack: Afrobeats Intelligence Instagram: @joeyakan Tik Tok: @joeyakan Follow Aniko Instagram: aniko.xyz Web: aniko.live Soundcloud: anikoxyzCreated 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