By: Sam Odili
In this brilliant and fast-growing generation, the influence of social media platforms and influencers can never be overemphasised as they serve as miners who bring to the limelight various raw materials which are far from the lens of humans. Social media influencers as miners imply critics and appraisals, Podcasters and content creators who unveil numerous hidden facts in works of art, which the artiste has consciously or unconsciously unravelled. Such Podcasters or critics uses social media handles such as TikTok, Twitter (X), Facebook, and many more to garnish artwork with explicit analysis and innuendos to make it (art) more entertaining and educating.
Through critique from critics, and works from content creators and Podcasters, the genre of music becomes more entertaining for its fans and creates more awareness for people outside the world. There are numerous podcasters and critics in this Gen Z generation. But, few are master of their works. One such brilliant podcaster is Oyebanji Akins. Consistency, brilliancy and originality have made him stand out among numerous podcasters and music critics on the internet in this current generation.
Oyebanji Akins popularly known as Olumide E. Akinlou is a Nigerian-US-based social media Podcaster, social media influencer, and music critic who bridges African and African American communities with his social media artworks. He is a music reviewer who writes on music projects; and a music critic who makes constructive criticism on cultures and trending topics on social platforms. He has reviewed projects from Burna Boy, Wizkid, Bnxn, and a few others.
Akins, a brilliant touch bearer for musical art, is the founder of Connecting the Dots Among Blacks podcast (ctdamongblacks). With his pen and voice, he uplifts African culture and deepens his love for African heritage. He is also the CEO of a clothing line, African Root Store LLC.
Born on May 8, 1986 and hails from the southwestern part of Nigeria, Ogun State; the abode of famous Nigerians like Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ex-Vice President Professor Yemi Osibanjo and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka.
Oyebanji Akins attended St. Benedetta’s private school in Abeokuta, then proceeded to Ijemo Titun high school Abeokuta and Alaketu High School, Imeko Afon, He had his tertiary education at Olabisi Onabajo University (OSU) Nigeria and got his Bachelors in Accounting. He then proceeded to Anglia Ruskin University East London for his MBA and a Master of Science in Cyber Security from the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC).
For more than a decade, Olumide E Akinlolu worked in Ogun State civil service in the Accounting and Administration department. He has also worked as an Information Technology Auditor. He has lived in Asia for years before moving to the USA.
As a profound writer, Olumide E Akinlolu has published a book on “Transformational Leadership on Job Satisfaction: The Effects of Transformational Leadership on Job Satisfaction: A Study on Four and Five Star Hotels in Kuala Lumpur. As a critic, he evaluates creative endeavours; his assessment of Burna Boy’s “I Told Them” album, which garnered almost a million impressions on Twitter (X).
In an environment filled with challenging and often more familiar figures, the US-based Podcaster Akins uses his podcast to roll into varieties of topics such as the African diaspora, Pan-Africanism, social issues affecting Black communities, and how African and African American cultures can better connect and learn from each other. There, on the podcast (ctdamongblacks), Akins interviews a diverse range of guests ranging from scholars, artists, activists, and everyday people, all of whom share their perspectives on the global Black experience. The conversations often focus on breaking down the historical and cultural barriers that have kept Africans and African Americans apart. Akins emphasizes the importance of solidarity in Africa and African communities, and how shared struggles, such as systemic racism and economic inequality, can be better addressed through unity. Through his platform, Olumide E Akinlolu is not only creating dialogue but also action. The CTDAmongblacks podcast serves as a catalyst for collaboration, where listeners from both African and African American communities are encouraged to engage, support each other’s businesses, and work together on social justice initiatives.
Nevertheless, music, with its lyrics, beats, sounds, rhyme, rhythm and everything that it houses as a piece of good music, as of the time in memoriam, has always served as a unique tool of relaxation, entertainment and rehabilitation. Africans understand this well as such a powerful tool at that. Oyebanji Akins understands it as thus, too. While Akins is primarily known for his work as a podcaster and cultural entrepreneur, he also sees music as an integral part of his mission to unite African and African American cultures. His musical critique and appraisal across kinds of music like hip-hop, jazz and blues which he uses to educate, inspire, and bring good artists with his beautiful music to the limelight for lovers of good music. He also promotes African artists, giving them exposure to a larger audience, especially in the United States, where many African musicians are still underrepresented despite their global influence.
Music is a universal language, and Akins sees it as a bridging tool. The Ogun State man is seen as Moses creating a path on the Red Sea for Africa and the African American community to pass through; he is a future builder. Olumide E Akinlolu is a Disk Jockey (DJ), too.
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