NEWS
Updates, press coverage, and news from Úrú Collective and our roster.
How FOLA Went From a Betting Shop Counter to Sold-Out Rooms
Before FOLA was the man behind Catharsis, the album that debuted at number 2 on Spotify’s Global Top Albums chart and helped push his total streams past a billion, he was behind a different kind of counter, taking bets at his father’s Bet9ja shop in Ibadan. It’s the story everyone now knows about him. What’s less talked about is the years in between: the pen-and-notepad period when nobody was checking for him, and the quiet decision to keep writing anyway.
How Tope Olowoniyan Learned To Disappear on Purpose
From a three-character audition that finally got her noticed to a steam room ritual that brings her back to herself, the Nollywood actress has built a career on knowing exactly which parts of herself to let go of, and which to keep.
West to East: How Úrú Collective Shaped Joey Akan's Nairobi Residency
In September, Úrú Collective took Joey Akan from Lagos to Nairobi with one goal: don't just visit a city, show up for it. From the mentor panel at the first Martell Swift Academy in Nairobi to conversations with the city's creative community, here's how we built a two-week presence in East Africa's music scene.
Africa’s Consciousness Returns: The Joey Akan Experience Returns on June 23
June 23, The Joey Akan Experience comes back — not as a pilot, not as a proof of concept, but as the full vision Joey and I have been building toward since the Glitch Africa episodes first showed us what this show could be.
Do I Need a Manager? An Honest Conversation About Timing, Readiness & Real Support
In this honest episode of Current Mind, I sit down with the real talk. No vague “it depends” answers or generic five-sign lists. Just a grounded conversation about what management actually is, what it isn’t, and why the question you’re asking might actually be one you need to answer for yourself first.I’m coming at this from both sides: as the founder of Úrú Collective, a speaker-first talent agency and culture studio focused on creative voices from Africa and the Middle East, and as someone who’s watched genuinely talented creators make partnership decisions that either accelerated their careers or quietly stalled them.
My 2025 Wrapped: Building Infrastructure for African Voices
December 29, 2025. Reflecting on a year of building quiet foundations that will outlast the noise. Infrastructure for African voices—one steady step at a time.
Joey Akan Named to Zikoko Culture List 2025
Joey was acknowledged for his exceptional work as a music journalist and cultural commentator, with Zikoko highlighting how he tracks the evolution of Afrobeats with remarkable clarity, documenting the systems, power players, and stories behind the music that moves millions.
Behind the Scenes with Magixx — And a Big Month for Afrobeats Intelligence
A behind-the-scenes look at Magixx’s hometown doc, Afrobeats Intelligence’s 400K+ views, and founder reflections from Úrú Collective’s biggest month yet.
Announcing Afrobeats Intelligence Presented by OkayAfrica — and What’s Next at Úrú Collective
Afrobeats Intelligence has entered a new chapter — now presented by OkayAfrica and powered by Úrú Collective. In this note, our founder, Nneka Mogbo, shares the vision behind the partnership, what it means to build cultural infrastructure across Africa and the Middle East, and how you can support Úrú’s ongoing journey.