Okayplayer and OkayAfrica, two influential platforms known for centering global Black culture, today announced the next wave of their podcast programming for 2025. The Q2 lineup introduces four original series: Afrobeats Intelligence, No Wahala,To Be Clear, andBird’s Eye View. Each show is rooted in culture, commentary, and community, continuing the platforms’ mission to reflect the voices and stories shaping the diaspora.

This announcement follows the recent recognition of The Almanac of Rap, which earned two 2025 Webby Award wins in the Experimental & Innovation and Indie Podcast categories, along with an Honoree mention in the Music Podcast category. The accolades underscore the industry’s growing acknowledgment of the platforms’ creativity and cultural resonance.

“Our mission is to amplify underrepresented voices, celebrate stories that resonate across borders, and champion the undeniable contributions of Black culture to the world stage,” said Isha Sesay, CEO of Areya Media. “This slate brings all of that work to life. It reflects our commitment to making Okayplayer and OkayAfrica true cultural homes for bold, meaningful audio storytelling that resonates around the world.”

The original programming slate will begin rolling out in May:

AFROBEATS INTELLIGENCE

Series Premiere: May 9, 2025 | Weekly Episodes

Hosted by award-winning journalist and cultural critic Joey Akan, Afrobeats Intelligence offers a front-row seat to the rise, reach, and reality of Africa’s most dominant cultural export. Each week, Joey sits down with influential artists, producers, executives, and tastemakers shaping the Afrobeats movement across the continent and beyond.

NO WAHALA

Series Premiere: May 14, 2025 | Weekly Episodes

No Wahala is where unfiltered opinion meets cultural context. Hosted by Tune Day and Bawo, two dynamic voices with deep roots in music, media, and diaspora identity—the show brings sharp takes, necessary humor, and lived experience to the forefront. From global headlines to underground moments, No Wahala explores the intersections of sound, style, politics, and personal perspective.

TO BE CLEAR

Series Premiere: May 20, 2025 | Weekly Episodes

To Be Clear brings the news into focus with humor, context, and cultural clarity. Hosted by show creator and journalist Dawn Montgomery and media personality Freddie B, the show unpacks the week’s top stories with insight and personality. Each episode filters current events, viral moments, and political debates through a Black cultural lens, offering smart analysis that goes beyond the surface. It’s fast, fearless, and built for people who want more than headlines.

BIRD’S EYE VIEW

New Series: Launching Q2 2025 | Weekly Episodes

Bird’s Eye View is a bold new series that challenges the way we see Africa—and how Africa sees itself. Hosted by activist, artist, and musician Seun Kuti (youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti) alongside cultural commentator Diallo Sumbry, the show explores global Black consciousness through an unapologetically African lens. From politics and pan-Africanism to spirituality, economics, and cultural recovery, Birds Eye View uses radical dialogue to confront colonial legacies and reimagine African identity.