Adesope: unsung hero who supported Afrobeats long before the genre became popular
Adesope Olajide, better known by his stage name Shopsydoo or Energy Gawd, is a Nigerian media figure who resides in the United Kingdom. He hosts talk shows, events, and podcasts, and appears on radio and television, he is known for his involvement in the growth of Nigeria's music industry.
The Afrobeats Podcast, an afro pop and music podcast, is hosted by him, with a wealth of experience moderating live events, panels, and sports and entertainment radio and television shows, Adesope Olajide is a dynamic broadcaster and entertainment personality.
With more than 15 years of experience in the media, Adesope has been a trailblazer in the UK's promotion of African popular culture, including music, dance, film, and fashion.
Adesope via instagram
He was also one of the first to push Afrobeats, which played on pirate radio stations before becoming popular on mainstream radio and television. This includes serving as the principal anchor for British TV and radio shows, including the live sports programme Sports360 and the Afropop culture entertainment programme Live at Battersea on Vox Africa UK.
Adesope hosts “Afrohits on The Beat” a weekly live music programme on The Beat London 103.6FM playing the hottest records from Africa and interviewing the biggest personalities within the scene.
Since 2014, the radio programme has started broadcasting, Adesope has emerged as one of the most well-known figures in African entertainment in both Europe and Africa during the past ten years. Because of his adaptability as a broadcaster, he has had the opportunity to speak with a wide range of international celebrities, including Anthony Joshua (boxer), Michelle Williams (singer), Davido (singer), Wizkid (singer), Yemi Alade, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Diamond Platinumz, Amir Khan (boxer), Joe Calzaghe (boxing legend), Cheryl Cole (singer), Thierry Henry (football legend), Dwayne Wade (basketballer), Hakeem Olajuwon (basketball legend), Jay Jay Okocha (football legend), David Haye (boxer), D’Banj and lots lots more.
Adesope via instagram
He is known for being one of the first broadcasters outside of Africa to have interviewed most African pop stars (Afrobeats acts ) such as Wizkid, Davido, Burnaboy etc before the genre was accepted globally.
According to the current, afrobeats has seen a phenomenal rise in popularity both within and outside of Africa. The genre's appeal is global, as evidenced by the fact that its popularity has increased dramatically since 2017 and has reached audiences outside of Africa. This has made afrobeats a truly global musical phenomenon.
Adesope has hyped and MCs almost all the major afrobeats events held in the UK, Europe and even part of Africa.
Let's review Adesope's influence and contributions to the afrobeats scene over time. From the start, he has represented and helped the culture's pioneers. Wizkid has dubbed Adesope the "afrobeats CNN," a visionary torchbearer who has helped the genre flourish. Adesope also supports up-and-coming artists; in fact, few prominent African musicians have been associated with him since their early years.
From promoting up-and-coming artists on Instagram Live to resharing popular artists' posts to spread the word about the genre, these actions serve a variety of purposes.
Adesope via Instagram
Adesope has significantly aided in the acceptance and globalisation of Afrobeats, the most valuable cultural product from Africa.
Adesope is an industry icon who helped bring Afrobeats, Nigeria's most valuable cultural export, to the attention of the globe. He is the unsung hero who supported Afrobeats long before the genre became popular on social media.
He still plays a crucial role in the Afrobeats movement, acting as the catalyst for its continuous rise in popularity throughout the world. Adesope is a great icon of African musical culture who deserves to be widely celebrated and praised for his unrelenting passion and vision.
