Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx
Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx

Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx

ISRAEL OLUWAFEMI MAKANJUOLA

Overview
Episodes

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The Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx is a culture focused podcast that examines music not merely as entertainment, but as a reflection of society. Hosted by music journalist Femi Makx, the podcast explores the stories, ideas, and social forces shaping today’s music and creative landscape. Through in depth conversations and thoughtful analysis, each episode situates music within broader discussions on identity, youth culture, power, creativity, and everyday life in contemporary society. The Artiste Hangout offers listeners clarity and context, helping them understand what the music reveals abou

Recent Episodes

Asake – “Praise Be to God” (Alhamdulillahi) & Viral Mecca Umrah Moment
MAR 14, 2026
Asake – “Praise Be to God” (Alhamdulillahi) & Viral Mecca Umrah Moment
Asake is trending globally after viral clips emerged of him performing Umrah in Mecca during Ramadan. In the videos, the Afrobeats superstar navigates massive crowds around the Kaaba, touches the Black Stone, and spends deeply personal moments in prayer inside Masjid al-Haram. Fans across X, TikTok, and Instagram are calling him “Alhaji Ahmed Ololade,” celebrating his humility, faith, and the gratitude energy he radiates.This moment connects directly to his unreleased track fans know as “Praise Be to God”, “Worship”, or “Alhamdulillah”. In this solo episode of Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx, I unpack: • The viral Mecca Umrah clips and why they’re dominating social media • Fan reactions and the trending #Alhamdulillahi movement • Lyrics and themes from live previews (Jo’burg, Red Bull Symphonic, IG snippets) • How the pilgrimage mirrors the song’s core message of faith, gratitude, and humility • Production insights, choir layers, amapiano influence, and potential international collaborations • Updated predictions for the track’s release, chart performance, TikTok virality, and its impact on Asake’s artistic evolutionWhether you’re a fan of Afrobeats, exploring spiritual crossover tracks, or following the latest music trends, this episode highlights why “Praise Be to God” could become a timeless anthem for the streets, churches, mosques, and global diaspora alike.About the Host & PodcastOluwafemi Makanjuola is a broadcast producer, reporter, and the host of Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx, a platform that explores music beyond entertainment. The podcast critically examines how artists and their work reflect the cultural, social, and economic forces shaping contemporary Africa. Available in over 128 countries, and charting top on Apple Podcasts in multiple regions, the show is recognized for insightful analysis, real conversations, and celebrating artistry in context.Listen and SubscribeStream the episode now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your preferred platform. Don’t forget to subscribe, turn on notifications, and share with fellow music enthusiasts to keep up with the latest in Naija music culture, Afrobeats, and unreleased tracks.#Asake #Alhamdulillahi #PraiseBeToGod #WorshipAsake #Afrobeats #NaijaMusic #UnreleasedAsake #SpiritualAfrobeats #Ramadan2026 #AsakeNewSong #ArtisteHangout #FemiMakx #GlobalAfrobeats #MusicAnalysis #NaijaCulture #ApplePodcastsTopCharts
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8 MIN
Is Culture Africa’s Most Powerful Export?
MAR 6, 2026
Is Culture Africa’s Most Powerful Export?
For decades, Africa’s global story has been defined by commodities such as oil, gold, cocoa, and minerals.But today another force is reshaping the narrative. Culture.In this episode of Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx, we explore a question gaining global attention. Is culture now Africa’s most powerful export?From the global rise of Afrobeats to the worldwide reach of Nollywood, African creativity is influencing music charts, film platforms, fashion, and digital culture. Artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, and Rema are pulling billions of streams across the world, while African stories continue to expand their audience on platforms such as Netflix and Prime Video.Beyond entertainment, the African creative economy is growing rapidly. Analysts project the sector could approach 200 billion dollars in value by 2030, creating millions of opportunities for young creatives across music, film, fashion, and media.But can culture rival traditional exports?Can creativity become one of Africa’s strongest economic forces?In this episode, Oluwafemi Makanjuola, broadcast producer, reporter, and host of Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx, unpacks the numbers, the global influence, and the deeper shift happening in how Africa is seen and heard around the world. The episode explores both the opportunities and the structural challenges shaping the future of African creativity.Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx continues to spotlight the voices, ideas, and industry conversations driving Africa’s entertainment and creative industries forward.
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17 MIN
Grammys 2026: Nigeria Snubbed? Tyla Wins, Fela Honored & Trevor Noah Roasts Trump & Nicki
FEB 2, 2026
Grammys 2026: Nigeria Snubbed? Tyla Wins, Fela Honored & Trevor Noah Roasts Trump & Nicki
Welcome to The Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx, Abuja’s pulse on music, culture, and creative hustle. In this episode, we break down the 68th Annual Grammys with a fresh Nigerian perspective, spotlighting wins, snubs, and historic moments that shook the global music scene. From Tyla’s back-to-back Best African Music Performance win to Fela Kuti receiving the first-ever Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for an African artist, we unpack what these milestones mean for Naija, the diaspora, and the future of Afrobeats worldwide.We also dive into the political statements, show-stopping speeches, and comedy roasts that had the internet buzzing. Trevor Noah’s sharp jabs, Billie Eilish’s pro-immigrant stance, and Bad Bunny making history as the first Spanish-language Album of the Year winner – we cover it all.As your host, Femi Makx, award-winning podcaster and music culture commentator, I bring you the insights, context, and Abuja energy you can’t get anywhere else. For this episode, I experimented with AI to enhance research, script structure, and cultural context, making The Artiste Hangout one of the first African music podcasts actively integrating AI in creative production.The Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx has massive streams across major listening platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, topping charts in major countries. Akwaaba to my Ghanaians too – we were top 3 in music interviews on Apple Podcasts in Ghana, and ranking high across other African countries as well.Whether you’re a music lover, industry insider, or just curious about Naija’s footprint at the Grammys, this episode breaks down the wins, snubs, and controversies with honesty, humor, and journalistic precision.Listen, subscribe, and join the conversation: Let’s debate, celebrate, and connect over the music shaping 2026. Follow Femi Makx on X @femi_makx and tag your thoughts with #ArtisteHangoutGrammys.
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5 MIN
REAL, Vol. 1: Is Wizkid Tapping Into Asake’s Wave?
JAN 23, 2026
REAL, Vol. 1: Is Wizkid Tapping Into Asake’s Wave?
10,000+ Streams. 116 Countries. One Global Sound.The Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx is officially trending across 116 countries on Spotify, with Nigeria leading the charge. This isn’t just a numbers game—it’s proof that African stories, sounds, and creative conversations are resonating worldwide.In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest Afrobeats moments of 2026.Global superstars Wizkid and Asake dropped their highly anticipated collaborative EP, REAL, Vol. 1, on January 23, 2026, and the culture hasn’t stopped talking. The four-track project fuses Wizkid’s signature Starboy melodies with Asake’s raw street spirituality, log drums, and amapiano-leaning energy.We break down the full EP experience, highlighting standout tracks like Turbulence, Jogodo, Iskolodo, and Alaye, while unpacking the production mastery led by Magicsticks with contributions from 4Tunes.The numbers tell a story on their own. REAL, Vol. 1 debuted at #1 on Apple Music Nigeria and the UK, making history as the first African EP to top the UK chart. It’s also hitting #1 across multiple African countries and climbing fast in the US, Canada, Germany, and beyond.But this conversation goes deeper than charts.Is Wizkid strategically aligning with Asake at the peak of his street dominance the same way he linked with Burna Boy during the 2020–2021 global breakout? Or is this just organic respect between two kings of different generations? We analyze patterns, intentions, and what this collaboration means for the future of Afrobeats as a global force.From Nigeria to the world, this episode captures the pulse of culture, music, and influence shaping Africa’s sound today.Tap in if you haven’t. Stay locked if you have.The Artiste Hangout with Femi MakxConversations. Culture. Creatives shaping Africa’s future.
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7 MIN