Description
This episode of Afrobeats Intelligence is powered by OkayAfrica, the pulse of African culture, and presented by Martell.
From Optometry to Afrobeats, Tumo Weto, Mofe & Why Mavo Makes You Want It Before He Drops It
In this episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with rising Afrobeats artist MAVO, the optometrist turned pop star who has quietly built one of the most distinctive creative identities in Nigerian music. MAVO breaks down the origin of his self-created vocabulary, the feeling-first philosophy behind records like Tumo Weto, Escaladizzy, Use Me, and Mofe, and how he balanced optometry school with building his music career. He opens up about creating music that feels authentic rather than forced, why simplicity is his greatest creative weapon, how his team built Killer Brother Records from the ground up, and why faith remains at the center of everything he does. MAVO also reflects on becoming one of the leading voices of a new generation, navigating success, protecting his creativity from social media, and why he believes fans should want the music before he gives it to them.
0:00 - Intro
0:58 - Mavo’s vocabulary
3:10 - Studying Optometry
6:18 - Work/life balance
8:29 - Choosing to get into music
11:31 - Grouping songs into feelings
17:06 - Writing “Mofe”
18:35 - Mavo’s approach to music
26:33 - Knowing when you have a special song
27:50 - Self belief
30:18 - Not checking comments on social media
33:24 - Before gaining popularity
35:34 - Family support
37:30 - Navigating life after becoming popular
42:44 - New album
43:51 - Sense of responsibility for the new generation
45:41 - Importance of faith
47:01 - Being different from others
48:14 - Mavo’s manifesto
51:18 - Normalcy
54:23 - What do you keep for yourself?
56:33 -Credits
Discover more about Martell’s journey with Afrobeats: https://www.martell.com/en/martell-afrobeats/
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