Joey Akan is a music journalist and cultural commentator whose work tracks the evolution of Afrobeats. He writes with clarity about the systems, power players and stories behind the music. He is known for detailed reporting and a distinctive voice.
He is being honoured for launching Afrobeats Intelligence in 2025, a news podcast sponsored by OkayAfrica. The podcast has become a key source for understanding the cultural and business dynamics of African music. His work continues to push the documentation of Afrobeats to a global scale.