Umaizi Desk

In this episode, we unpack the struggles of Tanzanian indie labels, Davido’s surprising e-bike venture, and Youssou N’dour & Angélique Kidjo’s unforgettable performance at The MET. We also cover African BET Award nominations, the rise of Les Flammes, and Rolling Stone Africa’s big Afro Nation collab — tune in for all the latest! Subscribe to stay up-to-date with my monthly newsletter on all things African music.

In this episode of my monthly African music newsletter, I cover all the biggest news from April, such as African artists at Coachella 2025, Fally Ipupa's brand collab with Vlisco, Scorpion Kings Live with Friends' upcoming concert, and more.

In this episode, I am joined by Bari Bentley, an up-and-coming artist from Nigeria now based in the U.S. Bari discusses his journey as an independent artist, his approach to artistic growth, and working with Supreme Band and a team in shaping his development.

On this episode, I am joined by Derrick Arthur, a videographer and founder of Motive8Concepts. Derrick recalls his worldwide adventures capturing the live performances of Ghanaian artist King Promise. Listen as we dive into the world of cameras, the global African music industry, and Ghana!

In this debut episode of Umaizi Desk, Amanda Nyang'oro, who's in Music Brand Partnerships at Wasserman, joins me to reflect on all things African music. We look back at 2024, make predictions for 2025, and dive into the world of touring in the United States.

Links to check out:

Formerly Afro Banta Beats, now Umaizi Desk: Exploring insights, trends, and stories within the African music landscape.

On this episode, I interview Toyin Ores and Bless Clymax as they discuss their journey from Irawo, a town in Lagos, to creating an EP together that pays homage to the place they called home growing up. Listen to their EP, "From Irawo." Stay up to date with all my blogs.

On this episode, I review Davido's recent album "Timeless." You can read the review by going to afrobanta.com

On this short episode, I read my tribute of the late South African Artist Costa Titch. You can read the article on afrobanta.com

This episodes is an audio version of my article on my review of African music in 2022 which can be found on Afrobanta.com. I discuss the top African artist, album, songs, DJs of 2022 and more. 

This episode is a recorded reading of myarticlewhere I review Wizkid's recent album "More Love, Less Ego." Please subscribe to my new blog site,Afrobanta.comto catch up on old articles as well as receive notifications on new releases.

This episode is a recorded reading of my articlediscussing the amazing talent that is French-Malian Pop/RnB artist, Aya Nakamura. Please subscribe to my new blog site, Afrobanta.com to catch up on old articles as well as receive notifications on new releases.  

This episode is an audio version of my medium blog article that discusses the major four music categories out of Africa representing four different regions of the continent. Feel free to read along with this audio and please share the article with friends and family!  

On this episode, I am joined by a dear friend of mine Kakazi Kacyira straight from Accra, Ghana. 

On this episode, I offer my take on CKay's third album "Sad Romance."

On this episode I am joined by Amanda Nyang'oro to discuss our thoughts on the African Giant Burna Boy's new album; Love, Damini. 

On this episode, I am joined by artist Blackboy Infinity to talked about his new Album "Unprovoked Promises" which features Abe the Kid; who also produced and mixed a great deal of the album. 

On this episode, I am joined by DJ Havok to talk about his start as a DJ, interest in Afrobeats and overall inspiration to create memorable experiences for audiences. 

On this episode, I am joined by Amanda Nyang'oro and we discuss the current state of East African music. 

On this episode, I am joined by up and coming Artist Tobias.wav who originates from Nigeria. We discuss his music and producing journey from making beats in boarding school to four projects later. 

On this episode, I am joined by one of my favorite Afrobeats DJs based in the DMV Area, DJ 30-04. We talk about his start in DJ work, touring and working with Afrobeats artists Teni, Flavour, Korede Bello and more. 

On this episode, I dive into the various conversations surrounding Afrobeats/African music at-large that listeners can expect to hear. 

On this episode, I am joined by Love Victor who is an undergraduate Senior in the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business studying Operations and Information Management. We discuss all matters cryptocurrency, Jack Dorsey’s criticism of Web3, the role of the financial sector in the underlying business model of crypto platforms and more!

On this episode, I have a conversation with Leslie Meyer who has been in the nursing field for almost three decades. We discuss various topics involving the medical field and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted her work as a school nurse in New Jersey. 

On this episode, I will be discussing the generational differences when responding to social strife, plumber discovering loads of cash and checks behind a toilet. Then I dive into the current state of metaverse and the purchasing of digital land. 

On this episode, I discuss about how my Thanksgiving break went, Omicron COVID variant, and do a review of a DW Documentary called, "Who Can Still Afford To Live In The City?" 

On this episode, I talk about what I am grateful for and do a review of the three-part Netflix docuseries called Black Hollywood: They've Gotta Have Us. 

On this episode, I am joined by my great friend, Kai Isaia. We talk about her background of growing up in Oregon, her time at Georgetown and how her lived experience intersects with her studies. We also dive into a conversation on the role that the media plays in the portrayal of violence and criminality in this country, while touching on the Julius Jones case. Then we do a review of Red Notice. 

On this episode, I am joined by my good friend Anaya Adeyola. We discuss the Ye interview on Drink Champs, Travis Scott Astroworld Festival Tragedy and review Dune. 

In this episode, I discuss about our relationship to history, how we understand the past and the way if affects how we relate to each other. Then I dive into a BBC Culture article on how Period Series are reshaping the way we view History and a review of Netflix's The Harder They Fall. 

On this episode, I feature new music, "Forgiveness" By Abe The Kid. I discuss about a lost Colorado man who doesn't answer rescuer's calls and do a review of Lifetime's Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia on the life of legendary Queen of Gospel, Mahalia Jackson. 

In this episode, I am once again joined by Special Guest, Dajourn Anuku. I discuss about DW's Documentary on Surveillance in China, Dave Chappelle open to meeting w/ Netflix Trans Employees. Then Dajourn and I continue with part two of our Netflix's Squid Game Review, and Dajourn gives us a freestyle at the end.

On this episode, I am joined by Dajourn Anuku. We talk about Raiders Coach Fired Over Bigoted Emails, Dave Chappelle's "The Closer" Netflix Special, Global Supply Chain Issues and Netflix's Squid Game Review. 

On this episode, I discuss a wide range of topics from the super bowl 2022 halftime show line-up, facebook outage, hungry photographer deletes weeding photos, Lt. Gov of Idaho gone buck wild, Stanley Tucci's New Memoir, and a review of Amazon Original One Night in Miami.

As the first episode of season two, Bobby discusses the new overview of the podcast. He gives his take on Nicki Minaj & NBA Players' Vaccine Comments, Fugees 2021 international tour, Ellen Pompeo & Denzel Washington, 2020 Tokyo Olympics and gives a review of Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings! 

On this bonus episode, I reflect on the various take-aways I have gotten from Bobby X Friends. It has been an incredible journey that I intend to continue with you all. Thank you for listening to season one of Bobby X Friends!  

On this final interview episode of season one, I am joined by my friend Noah Harris who is a junior at Harvard University studying Government. We talk about his experience of having recently been elected as the first black male student body president at Harvard. We also dive into his Mississippi upbringing, the time we spent together in the United States Senate Youth Program and more. 

On this episode, I am joined by my friend Alero Oyinlola who's a junior at Georgetown University studying Economics and French. We start this episode by reacting to the guilty verdict against Derek Chauvin in the George Floyd case. We then proceed to discuss at length about Alero's experience of living and going to school in both Nigeria and the U.S. and more about our shared Georgetown experience. 

On this episode, I am joined by my friend Elliot Mack, a junior at Georgetown University Studying Regional Comparative Studies: Middle East & Africa (Economics - International Development) in the School of Foreign Service. This episode dives into his various experiences as a French American living in France, Belgium and Turkey to his recent few years in D.C. We also discuss at length about the rise of Islamophobia in France and more. 

On this episode, I am joined by my college roommate James Bond, a junior at Georgetown University studying Science, Technology and International Affairs in the School of Foreign Service. We discuss about James' iconic name and growing up in Oklahoma. We also talk about his Georgetown experience and interest in technology's impact on society. 

On this episode I am joined by my friend, Nile Blass, a Junior at Georgetown University majoring in Government, and double minoring in African American Studies and Sociology. She will discuss about being the first black woman to be elected student body president at Georgetown, her work in pushing the university to deal with its past involvement in slavery and more about growing up in the DMV area.

On this episode, I am joined by Professor and Chair of the Government Department at Georgetown University, Dr. Anthony (Tony) C. Arend. My guest talks about his experience of growing up in Baltimore, going to school at Georgetown, the values that he brings to his job as chair of the government department and more.

On this episode, I am joined by my friend Dajourn Anuku, a Junior at Georgetown University studying African American studies and sociology. We delve into his experience of growing up in Brooklyn, NY and the parallels between going to University in D.C. We also chat at length about his work at the African American Policy Forum and more.

On this episode, I am joined by my friend Ryon Henderson, a Junior at Georgetown University studying Marketing. We discuss his experience of growing up in D.C. and attending schools in different neighborhoods around the city and DMV area. We also talk about his involvements at Georgetown as well as some of our shared memories and more.

On this episode, I am joined by my friend Grace Wagner, who is a Junior attending a dual-degree program between Columbia University and the French University, Sciences Po. She is a D.C. native and will be discussing about her year long research on D.C's Music Culture. We will also be talking about her experience of growing up in D.C. and the different changes that have taken place in the city, and of course as well as the fun stuff that happens in the city. 

I am joined by my friend Sam O'Sullivan who's a Junior at Harvard University. She is a D.C. native, and in this episode she talks about her experience of growing up in D.C. and the work that she has done to fight discriminatory dress codes in D.C. schools. You will also hear about what she's currently up to and her take on life in the nation's capital.