Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
This episode of Afrobeats Intelligence is powered by OkayAfrica, the pulse of African culture, and presented by Martell.
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.
0:00 - Intro
0:21 - Philosophy
6:15 - Building a foundation
11:35 - Things that matter
19:05 - Relationships & Nepotism
31:05 - Executing creative entrepreneurship
36:08 - Aesthetics for an artist
42:25 - Applying strategy to an idea/product
44:38 - Building up Mainland Block party
55:41 - Cracking the code with brands
1:02:16 - Focus on Quality
1:07:58 - Credits
Discover more about Martell’s journey with Afrobeats: martell.com/en/martell-afrobeats
Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news.
Substack: afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com
instagram.com/joeyakan
instagram.com/afrobeatsintel
Follow Alhaji Popping: instagram.com/alhajipopping
🌍 For more music, news, and culture from the continent, check out OkayAfrica here: okayafrica.com
Follow us on socials:
Instagram: instagram.com/okayafrica
Facebook: facebook.com/okayafrica/#
X: twitter.com/OkayAfrica
TikTok: tiktok.com/@okayafrica
Join the OkayAfrica Whatsapp channel! : whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEhs9oIN9isCqSED809
Shop OkayAfrica merch here: shop.okayplayer.com/collections/okayafrica-shop
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.
Follow us on socials:
Instagram: instagram.com/okayafrica
Facebook: facebook.com/okayafrica/#
X: twitter.com/OkayAfrica
TikTok: tiktok.com/@okayafrica
Join the OkayAfrica Whatsapp channel! : whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEhs9oIN9isCqSED809
Shop OkayAfrica merch here: shop.okayplayer.com/collections/okayafrica-shop
This episode of Afrobeats Intelligence is powered by OkayAfrica, the pulse of African culture, and presented by Martell.
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.
0:00 - Intro
0:21 - Philosophy
6:15 - Building a foundation
11:35 - Things that matter
19:05 - Relationships & Nepotism
31:05 - Executing creative entrepreneurship
36:08 - Aesthetics for an artist
42:25 - Applying strategy to an idea/product
44:38 - Building up Mainland Block party
55:41 - Cracking the code with brands
1:02:16 - Focus on Quality
1:07:58 - Credits
Discover more about Martell’s journey with Afrobeats: martell.com/en/martell-afrobeats
Follow Joey Akan for the latest coverage on African music culture and news.
Substack: afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com
instagram.com/joeyakan
instagram.com/afrobeatsintel
Follow Alhaji Popping: instagram.com/alhajipopping
🌍 For more music, news, and culture from the continent, check out OkayAfrica here: okayafrica.com
Follow us on socials:
Instagram: instagram.com/okayafrica
Facebook: facebook.com/okayafrica/#
X: twitter.com/OkayAfrica
TikTok: tiktok.com/@okayafrica
Join the OkayAfrica Whatsapp channel! : whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEhs9oIN9isCqSED809
Shop OkayAfrica merch here: shop.okayplayer.com/collections/okayafrica-shop
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.
Follow us on socials:
Instagram: instagram.com/okayafrica
Facebook: facebook.com/okayafrica/#
X: twitter.com/OkayAfrica
TikTok: tiktok.com/@okayafrica
Join the OkayAfrica Whatsapp channel! : whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEhs9oIN9isCqSED809
Shop OkayAfrica merch here: shop.okayplayer.com/collections/okayafrica-shop
