Uploaded June 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, 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.
0:00 - Intro
0:40 - Christmas season
2:24 - Boundaries
4:02 - People’s perspective of you
5:36 - The price of your purpose
8:51 - Responsibilities impacting creativity
11:37 - Navigating fame
16:11 - What prompts creation
20:20- Receiving criticism
24:37 - The impact of commercial success
31:02 - Consistency
34:35 - Lifelines
35:40 - Fighting for your community
36:38 - New album
38:35 - Feeling impatient
40:17 - Rappers vs. Afrobeats artists
42:08 - Commercialization changing the culture
46:14 - Being uncomfortable with mediocrity
47:51 - Engineered reality
52:32 - Credibility
56:43 - Being optimistic
57:42 - The "guiding delusion" behind the new album
1:01:13 - Rap beef / Blaqbonez and Odumodublvck
1:09:03 - Alternative rap scene
1:13:01- Outro/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 Ladipoe: instagram.com/ladipoe
🌍 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
This episode of Afrobeats Intelligence is powered by OkayAfrica, the pulse of African culture, and presented by Martell.
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.
0:00 - Intro
0:40 - Christmas season
2:24 - Boundaries
4:02 - People’s perspective of you
5:36 - The price of your purpose
8:51 - Responsibilities impacting creativity
11:37 - Navigating fame
16:11 - What prompts creation
20:20- Receiving criticism
24:37 - The impact of commercial success
31:02 - Consistency
34:35 - Lifelines
35:40 - Fighting for your community
36:38 - New album
38:35 - Feeling impatient
40:17 - Rappers vs. Afrobeats artists
42:08 - Commercialization changing the culture
46:14 - Being uncomfortable with mediocrity
47:51 - Engineered reality
52:32 - Credibility
56:43 - Being optimistic
57:42 - The "guiding delusion" behind the new album
1:01:13 - Rap beef / Blaqbonez and Odumodublvck
1:09:03 - Alternative rap scene
1:13:01- Outro/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 Ladipoe: instagram.com/ladipoe
🌍 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
