Joshua Baraka on East Africa's Takeover, the Decline of Afrobeats & AI in Music

Joshua Baraka on East Africa's Takeover, the Decline of Afrobeats & AI in Music

Author: Joey Akan/OkayAfrica April 24, 2026 Duration: 1:11:45
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

Dive deep into the rhythms and stories shaping a global movement with Afrobeats Intelligence. This isn't just a surface-level scan of the latest hits; it's a thoughtful exploration of the vast, interconnected world behind the music. Hosted by the acclaimed journalist Joey Akan, each episode pulls back the curtain on the creative and commercial forces at work across Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and beyond. You'll hear candid, revealing conversations with the artists, producers, executives, and cultural architects who are defining the sound of a continent. The podcast moves beyond the spotlight to examine the intricate ecosystem-the business deals, the cultural shifts, the personal journeys-that fuels this artistic explosion. It’s about understanding the humanity and the meticulous processes that converge to create something truly resonant. For anyone curious about the stories behind the streams, Afrobeats Intelligence offers a essential, nuanced perspective. Listen for Akan's expert guidance through interviews that feel more like insightful dialogues, unpacking not just how the music is made, but why it matters. This is where art meets analysis, providing a richer appreciation for the complexity and excellence of African music today.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Afrobeats Intelligence
Podcast Episodes
Lost Files E03: Timi Dakolo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:42
Timi Dakolo is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and music producer. He emerged winner of the inaugural season of Idols West Africa in 2007. Accompanying his victory was a recording contract with Sony BMG, in addition to ot…
Lost Files E1: Abdul Quam Tadese [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:53
Abdul Quam Tadese is a multi-faceted musician, culture entrepreneur and philanthropist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit afrobeatsi…
S3E6: Oxlade — How To Deal With Adversity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:25
Oxlade, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter signed to Troniq Music, Epic Records in France, and Columbia Records in the UK. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access…
S3E5: Joeboy — How To Move On [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:46
Joeboy is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who was discovered by Mr Eazi and signed in 2017. After four projects and a world of hit records, he finally has his career in his hands. Here he tells Joey Akan about his entir…
S3E4: Steve Stoute — Independent Afrobeats To The World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:44
Steve Stoute is an American businessman and record executive. The founder and CEO of the Translation, a marketing agency, and the author of The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Created a Culture That Rewrote the Rules of…
S3E3: Blaqbonez — Emeka Must Shine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:44
Blaqbonez, is a Nigerian rapper signed to Chocolate City. highly regarded for his distinct rap style as, well as his creative ingenuity, his latest album, "Emeka Must Shine," is out now. This is a public episode. If you…
S3E2: Mr Eazi — African Music Business Genius [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:42
Mr Eazi is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record executive. He is the pioneer of Banku music, a fusion of sound he describes as a mixture of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions and patterns. His latest…
S3E1: Shallipopi — How To Own An Afrobeats Planet (Pluto) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:53
Crown Uzama, known professionally as Shallipopi, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He gained mainstream attention with the release of "Obapluto" in 2023. Shallipopi is signed to Dvpper Music Distribution, a Ni…
#S2E11: Tempoe — How To Make Global Afrobeats Hits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:43
Tempoe is a Nigerian record producer, DJ, singer and songwriter. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Tempoe is popularly known for the tag "MÄD!,"in all of his music productions. His production of Ckay's breakout hit, "Love Nwantiti…