Joey Akan (NG)

Joey Akan is a renowned music journalist, media consultant, and key figure in the Afrobeats industry. As the founder of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, with over 1 million downloads, Joey delves into the stories of creatives shaping global music. With expertise in A&R, communications, and strategy, he advises major labels, artists, and corporations on innovative approaches to music and storytelling.

Formerly the Music Editor at Pulse Nigeria, Joey led a team of creatives and earned multiple awards for his work. His writings have appeared in The New York Times, CNN, The FADER, and The Guardian. He has covered major events like the TRACE Music Awards and MTV Africa Music Awards.

Beyond journalism, Joey mentors rising African music professionals and is part of the Music Business Academy for Africa. He is also a member of the Recording Academy, consistently championing new talent.