"When Nonso Amadi left, it was my lowest of lows." Muyiwa "Donawon" Awoniyi (S4E4)

Watch the full episode here:    • Donawon: Betting on Tems, Nigerian Spotify...  

“I had no rent, no money, and no fallback plan. But I knew I had purpose.”

In this rare and revealing conversation, Afrobeats Intelligence host Joey Akan sits down with music executive and strategist Muyiwa “Donawon” Awoniyi — the man behind Tems’ global rise, founder of Faceless Management, and one of the sharpest minds in African music today.

From surviving early failures to building a system of creative discipline, Donawon shares the mindset and methods that shaped his career — and the careers of others. He breaks down what it truly means to build artists from the ground up, develop global infrastructure, and operate with long-term purpose in a scene often driven by short-term hype.

“The artists are the fruit. But if you don’t tend to the tree, there’s nothing to harvest.”

This isn’t just about Tems’ journey to the Grammys or being on the “Wait for U” record with Future and Drake. It’s about the sacrifices, structure, and spiritual awareness required to manage success and build a legacy. Donawon details how his faith and strict personal code help him lead creatives through uncertainty, pressure, and the allure of industry distraction.

Subscribe here for more Afrobeats Intelligence clips and highlights. Watch full previous episodes here:    • Afrobeats Intelligence With Joey Akan | Pr...  
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