Afropolitan
Afropolitan
Afropolitan
The Afrobeats Legend: I Had A Premonition & Saved My Team From A Plane Crash!
1 hour 24 minutes Posted Jan 28, 2026 at 4:05 pm.
– Intro: Talk-singing vs. real singing
– Loss, betrayal, and rebirth
– Welcome
– Being original and authentic
– First US tour (2013)
– American vs. Nigerian fans
– Advice to younger artists on fame
– The business of music
– The importance of guidance
– Falling out and reconciling with Ubi
– Creative freedom vs. business
– Growth from Project Fame to now
– The R&B side of Iyanya
– "You're singing it too much"
– Why African artists must adapt
– New album and his father's legacy
– Losing his father, winning Project Fame
– Mentorship from elder artists
– Sound Sultan's advice
– Doing TikToks and staying humble
– Fame as addiction
– Timeline grief and healing
– Losing three family members in two years
– Thoughts on therapy and faith
– Healing through prayer
– Cash flow lessons from peak years
– Ownership, investments, legacy
– Government appointment in Cross River
– Afrobeats going global
– Early US tours and empty venues
– Why artists need teams
– The real story behind Kukere
– Almost quitting before Kukere
– Ghana's role in Kukere blowing up
– Trusting your partner's vision
– Competition vs. collaboration
– Tekno's work ethic
– Surviving the Dana Air crash
– Relationships, privacy, fame
– Celibacy and honesty in dating
– Longevity in music
– Legacy toast
– Rapid fire questions
– Who's next: Moter Black & Seyi Vibez
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Show notes
Iyanya sat down with The Afropolitan Podcast for one of the most raw, unfiltered conversations we've ever had.
17 years in the music industry. Project Fame winner. The man behind Kukere. And still here — still evolving.
This episode covers longevity, reinvention, faith, fame, loss, addiction, therapy, and the real business behind building a lasting career in African music.
Iyanya opens up about staying authentic, navigating superstardom, the moment Kukere almost didn't happen, financial mistakes during his peak years, and healing after losing his father, mother, and brother in two years.
A masterclass on resilience, growth, and what it truly takes to survive and evolve while protecting your peace.
Subscribe for more conversations documenting Black brilliance, culture, and the stories shaping Africa and its diaspora.
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