Blacvolta Podcast | Africa's Creative Economy

On this episode of the BlacVolta Podcast, we sit down with Director Kay, the photographer and videographer turned creative director behind one of Africa’s biggest music exports, Stonebwoy. He takes us from picking up his first Nikon to sending a BTS video that landed in Stonebwoy’s DMs, and he explains what a creative director actually does at the intersection of imagination and execution. He breaks down the Stonebwoy's creative executions from the Accra Sports Stadium, and what it was like to witness Stonebwoy’s Wembley and O2 moments.We also get into faith and purpose in the entertainment industry, why creatives in Ghana and across Africa aren’t paid enough, why we need to own our systems and tell our stories through our own lens, and the advice he’d give to young creatives picking up a camera for the first time. Don’t forget to subscribe to BlacVolta Podcast for more conversations on Africa’s creative economy.

On this episode of the BlacVolta Podcast, host Nana sits down with celebrity stylist Kelly Morgan for an unfiltered look into what it takes to style Africa's biggest musical powerhouses—from Burna Boy and Rema to Black Sherif. Kelly breaks down his journey from sourcing rare archive pieces in Kantamanto to crafting iconic looks for global stages.He dives deep into the harsh realities of the continent's fashion ecosystem, exposing the gap between styling and design, set politics, and why African creative infrastructure must evolve to support its top talent. It’s a candid conversation on scaling African fashion onto the world stage without sacrificing artistic integrity.

What does it take to become one of the minds shaping modern African culture?In Part 1 of this three-part BlacVolta Podcast conversation, we sit down with Bernard Kafui Sokpe to unpack the journey behind a career that has moved across media, technology, music, advertising and Ghana’s growing creative economy.From his early years at PRESEC Legon to leading Echo Magazine, Kafui takes us through the experiences that shaped his approach to creativity and culture. His career would later see him work with major brands including MTN and Vodafone, collaborate across Africa’s entertainment ecosystem, work with names including Mr Eazi, and eventually become Twitter’s Senior Partner Manager for Africa.He also opens up about one of the biggest turning points in his career: being laid off from Twitter following Elon Musk’s acquisition of the company, and what came next.But Kafui’s influence goes beyond corporate titles. He is widely associated with coining “Detty December,” a phrase that grew from Ghanaian pop culture into a global shorthand for the explosion of music, nightlife, tourism, events and diaspora travel across Africa every December.This episode goes back to the beginning — the schools, ideas, brands, setbacks, relationships and cultural moments that helped shape one of the creative minds working at the intersection of Ghanaian culture, African entertainment, technology and the creative economy.Part 1 of 3 with Bernard Kafui Sokpe.#BernardKafuiSokpe #DettyDecember #BlacVoltaPodcast #BlacVolta #AfricanCreativeEconomy #GhanaCreativeEconomy #GhanaCulture #AfricanCreatives #CreativeEconomy #Accra #Ghana #AfricanEntertainment #AfricanCulture #MrEazi #TwitterAfrica #AfricanTech #AfricanMedia #AfricanMusic

DJs have become powerful forces shaping Africa’s entertainment, nightlife, lifestyle, and culture. From Black Coffee and DJ Maphorisa to DJ Tunez, African DJs are moving beyond the booth, building global brands, influencing culture, and breaking international barriers.On this episode of the BlacVolta Podcast, we sit down with international Ghanaian DJ DJ Shagy to explore what it really takes to build a sustainable career as a DJ in Africa. From playing a role in Ghana’s famous Detty December season to powering some of Accra’s biggest parties and experiences, including Polo Beach, DJ Shagy has experienced the evolution of the industry firsthand.We talk about his journey, the business behind DJing, nightlife culture, international opportunities, making money beyond gigs, and one important question: Can DJing in Africa become a sustainable long-term career?Tune in as we unpack the business, culture and future of DJing in Africa.#BlacVoltaPodcast #DJShagy #AfricanDJs #DJCulture #AfricanCreativeEconomy #DettyDecember #AccraNightlife #GhanaNightlife #PoloBeach #BlackCoffee #DJMaphorisa #DJTunez #AfricanMusic

In this inspiring episode of the BlacVolta Podcast, we sit down with Ria Boss—singer-songwriter, community builder, and the beloved "Cat Mama"—to tackle the ultimate question facing modern African creators: how do you build a sustainable creative life without compromising who you are? Moving between London, Gabon, and Ghana during her childhood as the daughter of a trailblazing diplomat mother, Ria’s multicultural upbringing taught her to think big while staying fiercely rooted in her artistic truth. Ria pulls back the curtain on the business of being an independent artist, sharing a refreshingly honest perspective on acknowledging her own privilege and using it to create opportunities for others through her creative hub, Kitty Palace, and Black Girls Glow. She candidly discusses her decision to walk away from major labels that pressured her to change her personal style and genre, choosing instead a self-sustained path. She also breaks down how independent creators can survive and thrive by building strong professional networks, securing grants, and utilizing fully funded international artist residencies. We also dive deep into her personal healing journey, exploring how severe loss, grief, and heartbreak birthed her critically acclaimed, raw debut live album, Remember. Tune in to discover what it truly means to honor your journey and build a lasting, independent legacy in Africa's creative economy. #BlacVoltaPodcast #BlacVolta #RiaBoss #CatMama #GhanaianMusic #AfricanCreativeEconomy #IndependentArtist #NeoSoul #AlternativeMusic #AltéScene #BlackGirlsGlow #KittyPalace #CreativeSustainability #ArtistResidencies #CreativeFreedom #HumanErrorOverAI

In this episode of the BlacVolta Podcast, we sit down with Michael Nichols, widely known as the “Gen Z Godfather,” to explore how a new generation is reshaping the future of entertainment across the continent. From nightlife and events to influencer culture, Afrobeats, brand partnerships, and the creator economy, Michael shares why Gen Z has become the audience every brand wants to reach.Drawing from his experiences working across Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa, Michael offers an insider’s perspective on youth culture, the evolution of African entertainment, and what the next decade could look like for creators, artists, entrepreneurs, and event organizers.In this episode, we discuss:•⁠ ⁠Has Gen Z officially taken over Africa’s entertainment industry?•⁠ ⁠How Gen Z is changing nightlife, events, and lifestyle culture.•⁠ ⁠Lessons from working across Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa.•⁠ ⁠The future of entertainment in Africa.If you’re a creator, entrepreneur, marketer, artist, event organizer, or simply interested in where African culture is heading, this conversation is for you.Subscribe to BlacVolta for conversations at the intersection of entertainment, business, nightlife, technology, and the African creator economy.#GenZ #Africa #AfricanEntertainment #Afrobeats #CreatorEconomy #Nightlife #Ghana #Nigeria #SouthAfrica #Podcast #BlacVolta #YouthCulture #EntertainmentIndustry

What does it take to build two thriving careers in industries where most people can barely survive one? Eddy Acquah A.K.A. Happy Guy is one of Ghana's most sought-after MC and founder of Eddy Acquah Properties. He joins us for a conversation that is equal parts business masterclass and honest reflection on what it really means to build something meaningful in Accra.From MCing his father's 60th birthday with zero experience to hosting over 800 events at the Kempinski, Marriott, and Mövenpick, Eddy breaks down how he turned a side hustle into one of Ghana's most recognised personal brands. He talks about the business side of the mic invoicing, pricing, negotiation, staying relevant and why character and patience will outlast talent every single time.On the real estate side, Eddy gets candid about Ghana's property market, who it's really built for, why affordability is relative, the truth about diaspora investment, and how to do proper due diligence before you hand over your life savings for a plot of land you may never possess. He also unpacks the African Real Estate Festival and what it means to start keeping Africa's money inside Africa.This episode also goes deep on faith, personal branding, the 90-second elevator pitch, why social media is lying to your generation, and what legacy looks like when you refuse to be put in one box.

From picking up a camera with zero film school experience to directing some of the most visually exciting music videos in Afrobeats, filmmaker Meekah Jagun is part of a new generation of African creatives redefining storytelling through visuals.In this episode of the BlacVolta Podcast, Meekah Jagun breaks down his unconventional journey into filmmaking, navigating the creator economy in Africa, and what it takes to build standout visuals for artists like Tiwa Savage, Black Sherif, KiDi, and King Promise. The conversation dives into:•⁠ ⁠Building a filmmaking career without film school•⁠ ⁠The rise of Africa’s creator economy•⁠ ⁠Directing music videos in the Afrobeats era•⁠ ⁠Creative pressure, storytelling, and visual identity•⁠ ⁠Working with major artists and pushing creative boundaries•⁠ ⁠How technology and AI are changing filmmaking in Africa•⁠ ⁠The future of African cinema and music visuals globallyMeekah Jagun’s journey is proof that talent, vision, and consistency can open doors in Africa’s growing creative industry. From picking up a random camera to becoming one of the most talked-about young directors in Afrobeats, this episode is a deep dive into creativity, culture, ambition, and the future of African storytelling.Watch till the end and don’t forget to subscribe to BlacVolta for more conversations around entertainment, music, nightlife, fashion, film, and the African creator economy.#BlacVolta #MeekahJagun #Afrobeats #Filmmaking #CreatorEconomy #AfricanCinema #MusicVideos #TiwaSavage #BlackSherif #KiDi #KingPromise #AfricanCreators #CreativeEconomy #Videography #Director #Podcast #Entertainment #AfricanMusic #FilmDirector #Africa

She’s booked Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, Rema, and Asake to one of Africa’s biggest festivals — AfroFuture.Today on the podcast, we sit down with Khadija El Alawa, the Head of Music and Talent at AfroFuture. With nearly a decade in the game, she breaks down her journey through leadership and entrepreneurship — from building in the music industry to running an FMCG business — and what it takes to navigate a male-dominated space at the highest level.Tune in.

On this episode, we sit down with Ellen Osabutey, one of Ghana's biggest lifestyle and fashion influencers, to break down the uncomfortable economics of the creator scene. How much do brands actually pay? Where is the money really coming from? And is any of this lifestyle actually real?Ellen takes us through her journey, from a viral photo that got her over 10K new followers overnight, to brand deal , to the mental toll of always looking polished. She's honest about body privilege, the pressure on young women replicating influencer lifestyles, and why she'll preblock people without hesitation.This isn't about the aesthetics. It's about the business, the money, and what's really happening behind the posts.