Sarz talks Global Success, Making Pop hits, and Cultural Ownership

Sarz talks Global Success, Making Pop hits, and Cultural Ownership

Author: Joey Akan/OkayAfrica February 28, 2026 Duration: 1:19:21
In this season opener, Joey Akan sits down with the legendary, award-winning producer Sarz for an unfiltered deep dive into the mechanics of a hit record and the evolving DNA of African sound. This episode of Afrobeats Intelligence is powered by OkayAfrica, the pulse of African culture, and sponsored by Martell. Don't miss a beat of Season 5. Join the community by subscribing now and tell us your favorite Sarz-produced track in the comments! 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
#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…
#S2E10: Ayra Starr — Nigeria's Celestial Being [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:53
Ayra Starr is a Beninese-born Nigerian singer signed to Mavin Records. After launching a fashion career at the age of 16, she pivoted to music, covering several songs by popular artists on Instagram, before sharing her f…
#S2E9: Sarkodie — The Weight of Legacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:11
Sarkodie is a Ghanaian rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur from Tema. Buoyed by a lifetime of groundbreaking success, he is also considered one of the major proponents of the Azonto genre and dance and one of the most s…
#S2E8: General Pype — Forever Born A Champion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:11:12
General Pype is a pioneering Nigerian reggae/dancehall artist and songwriter. He gained international prominence through his debut single, “Keep It Cool” in 2007, which featured on the Golden Globe-winning American telev…
#S2E7: Tekno — How To Not Lose Your Voice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:50
Tekno (Augustine Miles Kelechi Okechukwu) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and music producer. In this episode, he seats with music journalist, Joey Akan, for a rare career interview. Tekno talks about leaving Abuja, sig…
#S2E6: AV — Benin Boy, Lagos Star [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:51
Adindu Victor, popularly known as AV, is a singer and songwriter who comes from a music and entertainment enthusiastic family, ‘the Adindu’s’. With a late guitarist father, and years of leading a dance group in Benin, th…
#S2E5: Don Jazzy — African Music Royalty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:12:16
Don Jazzy is a Nigerian record producer and cultural entrepreneur. He is the founder and the CEO of Mavin Records, and was co-owner of the now-defunct Mo' Hits Records record label with D'banj. In this episode, he seats…
#S2E4: Larry Gaaga — Afrobeats Godfather [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:46
Larry Gaaga is an Artist, producer, songwriter and record label executive from Nigeria. He is also Vice President, A&R, at Def Jam Africa, a division of Universal Music Group (UMG). Gaaga began his career in 2010 after j…
#S2E3: CKay — Man, Music, Emotions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:17
CKay is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer signed to Warner Music South Africa, and Atlantic Records. Formerly signed to Chocolate City, his international hit single "Love Nwantiti", released in 2019 became…
#S2E2: Erigga — The Lost Paper Boi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:57
Erigga is a Nigerian singer and rapper who has dedicated his career so far to the elevation of rap music in South-South Nigeria. After distinguishing himself in pidgin rap from his base in Warri, the hometown hero has pa…