Afrobeats

Intelligence

Music Podcast Democratising African Music. Presented by OkayAfrica and hosted by Joey Akan.

Key Cities: Lagos, New York City, Accra, London

Instagram: 5.7k+ | Substack: 28k+

Afrobeats Intelligence is a leading African music and culture podcast platform hosted by journalist and cultural commentator Joey Akan. Known for its incisive, unfiltered conversations, the show explores the ideas, power structures, and business forces shaping African music and its global influence. Through long-form interviews with artists, executives, and cultural thinkers, Afrobeats Intelligence has become a trusted space for context, critique, and cultural memory within the African creative ecosystem.

Úrú Collective manages and produces Afrobeats Intelligence, overseeing its end-to-end podcast and video production, editorial development, and platform strategy. The agency also leads partnership development and long-term growth planning, supporting the podcast’s evolution into a multi-platform media property with a growing global audience.

Key Topic Areas

  • Artist Journeys & Creative Process — personal stories of rise, reinvention, and artistic evolution.

  • Industry Insight & Music Business Strategy — deep discussions on deals, distribution, label structures, and industry mechanics.

  • Cultural Narrative & Genre Evolution — how Afrobeats and related genres intersect with identity, heritage, and global impact.

  • Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Ecosystem Building — conversations with executives, A&Rs, and cultural entrepreneurs about shaping pathways for talent at scale.

  • Legacy, Influence & Creative Reinvention — reflections on longevity, legacy building, and generational shifts in African music.

Sample Previous Guests:

  • Bella Shmurda, Ruger, Lojay, Gyakie, Young Jonn, CKay, Lanre Masha (Director, The Orchard West Africa), Tems’ manager Donawon.

Available for…

  • Brand Partnerships & Sponsorships: Thoughtful integrations, long-form conversations, and custom content aligned with culture, creativity, and the business of music.

  • Live Podcasts & Recorded Conversations: On-stage or in-studio recordings for festivals, conferences, cultural institutions, and brand-led events.

  • Editorial & Media Collaborations: Co-created content with media platforms, publications, and cultural organisations across Africa and the diaspora.

  • Moderation, Panels & Keynotes: Joey Akan available as a host, moderator, or speaker on topics spanning music, culture, media, and creative economies.

  • Research-Led Content & Cultural Consultancy: Insight-driven conversations and narrative development for brands and organisations engaging African music and youth culture.

Recent Episodes and Features

  • OkayAfrica’s Spring 2025 digital cover features Joey Akan, who transformed from a fierce critic to one of the genre’s most nuanced culture curators.

    The cover story reflects on his journey from Port Harcourt to Lagos—and from pen to podcast mic: the story of a writer who built Afrobeats Intelligence, a Substack turned globally livestreamed podcast, now exclusively presented by OkayAfrica.

  • Coverage of an Afrobeats Intelligence episode featuring Tems’ manager discussing music streaming economics and industry realities, highlighting the show’s relevance to conversations about global music business challenges.

  • The Guardian covered Afrobeats Intelligence’s evolution from newsletter to influential podcast in partnership with Okay Africa, noting its mission to amplify African voices and spotlight key industry stories and personalities.

WOrk with

Afrobeats INtelligence

Afrobeats Intelligence partners with brands, media platforms, cultural institutions, and events seeking thoughtful engagement with African music, culture, and the creative economy. Collaborations are rooted in long-form storytelling, editorial integrity, and cultural relevance.

Opportunities to work with Afrobeats Intelligence include brand partnerships and sponsorships, live and recorded podcast experiences, editorial collaborations, and moderated conversations or speaking engagements. Each partnership is designed to align with the podcast’s voice and audience, creating impact that extends beyond surface-level promotion.

All enquiries, partnerships, and bookings for Afrobeats Intelligence are managed by Úrú Collective.