S3E7: Harmony 'H-Money' Samuels - Crafting Global Hits

S3E7: Harmony 'H-Money' Samuels - Crafting Global Hits

Author: Joey Akan/OkayAfrica August 23, 2024 Duration: 1:15:30
From the streets of London to the palm-lined avenues of California, Harmony ‘H-Money’ Samuels has lived a life in sound. He’s a man who has seen it all: a Grammy-nominated producer who has shaped the sonic landscapes of legends, from Janet Jackson’s timeless grooves to Wizkid’s Afro-fusion anthems. On this episode of "Afrobeats Intelligence," Joey Akan digs deep into the mind of a producer who has seamlessly navigated the corridors of global music. Harmony's journey is a tale of rhythm and reinvention, of African roots intertwined with Western influences. Growing up in the UK, he absorbed the eclectic beats of his environment, all while keeping Nigeria’s pulse alive in his heart. Now based in California, Harmony has built a career on bridging worlds, working with artists like Reekado Banks and others across Africa, crafting hits that transcend borders and genres. In this conversation, Harmony unpacks his unique creative process, how he channels his cultural duality into his music, and what it’s like to work with legends. He’s not just making beats; he’s crafting legacies, one track at a time. Tune in as Joey Akan gets into the nitty-gritty of what it means to be a musical chameleon in today’s world, blending cultures, sounds, and stories to create something truly global. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit afrobeatsintelligence.substack.com 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: 69

Afrobeats Intelligence
Podcast Episodes
Lost Files E04: NSG [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:41
NSG is a British afroswing collective from Hackney East London. The group consists of Six members: OGD, Kruddz, Mojo, Dope, Papii Abz, and Mxjib. Their latest album, "Area Boyz," is out now. This is a public episode. If…
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…