Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx

I covered the Oyo State meth lab bust: billions in drugs, five suspects, a Mexican trafficking expert arrested. It got me thinking about a different side of Nigeria’s drug problem, one law enforcement can’t touch.

For most young Nigerians, drugs weren’t first understood on the streets. They were first heard in a song.

On this episode of The Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx, I sat down with Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, to talk about drugs, music, and Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

I asked him directly: Are artists responsible for glorifying drug use in their lyrics? Do celebrities get protected from arrest while smaller, independent artists take the fall? Can an artist battling addiction trust the NDLEA enough to ask for help without being exposed? And does using drugs actually make anyone more creative, or is that the biggest lie in the music industry?

His answers reveal a side of the NDLEA most Nigerians never hear about, including a confidential rehabilitation program that has treated Nigerian celebrities without their names ever going public.

This episode covers Afrobeats, addiction, fame, drug culture, youth influence, and the NDLEA’s real approach to Nigeria’s entertainment industry, straight from the agency’s own Director of Media and Advocacy.

Topics: NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, Afrobeats, drug addiction, Nigerian music industry, youth culture, rehabilitation, Femi Makx, The Artiste Hangout

The World Cup anthem conversation is already heating up and this time, it’s global superstar Shakira alongside Afrobeats giant Burna Boy at the center of it all.

In this episode of The Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx, we break down the possibility of Burna Boy and Shakira delivering a FIFA anthem that could dominate the world stage ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Can any song ever match the energy and legacy of Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)? Is nostalgia making fans too harsh on newer World Cup songs? And why does Burna Boy’s involvement feel like another huge moment for Afrobeats globally?

From fan reactions to music expectations, global culture, football vibes, and what makes a World Cup anthem truly timeless, this episode dives deep into the conversation everyone is already talking about.

#BurnaBoy #Shakira #FIFA2026 #WorldCupAnthem #WakaWaka #Afrobeats #FootballCulture #TheArtisteHangout #FemiMakx #SpotifyPodcasts #PodcastNigeria #TrendingNow #MusicPodcast #WorldCup #BurnaBoyPodcast

Asake is set to release his fourth studio album M$NEY, and the anticipation across Afrobeats is already building.

In this episode of The Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx, we break down everything to expect from the M$NEY album before it drops on May 1st, 2026. This is a full prediction episode focused on the sound, direction, and impact of Asake’s next move.

From the marble-inspired artwork to the 13-track lineup under Giran Republic with EMPIRE distribution, the rollout already signals intention. We take a closer look at key collaborations, including DJ Snake on “Worship,” Tiakola on “Badman Gangsta,” and Kabza De Small on “Asambe,” and what they could bring to the overall sound of the project.

The conversation dives into Asake’s signature Afrobeats style, from heavy percussion and Fuji influences to Yoruba elements and street pop energy. We also explore the likely themes behind M$NEY, including prosperity, hustle, faith, resilience, and legacy building, all of which have become central to his identity as an artiste.

Femi Makx shares clear predictions on standout tracks, chart performance, and viral potential, especially around “Worship,” and how this album could further define Asake’s position in the global Afrobeats conversation.

The Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx continues to grow as a leading Afrobeats and Nigerian music podcast, charting in over 30 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. The podcast has reached Top 10 in multiple regions and Top 30 in Nigeria’s Music Interviews category on Apple Podcasts, with strong performance on Spotify. It currently sits within the Top 1% of podcasts globally, reflecting its growing influence in African music conversations.

If you’re following Afrobeats, Nigerian artistes, or the business behind the music, this episode gives you a clear, grounded perspective before the album drops.

ACL 2.0 just landed and the streets are on fire.

Blaqbonez didn’t just reply — he VIOLATED Odumodublvck again.

After Odumodu allegedly bought the beat and took down the original ACL (a track that refused to die and was already pulling serious numbers), Blaqbonez came back with a fresh beat, sharper delivery, and that calculated mix of shots and “big bro” talk that has fans saying they actually felt bad for him.

In this episode of The Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx, we get into:

• How the beef jumped from subliminals to full beat-buying drama

• The exact moments in ACL 2.0 where Blaqbonez applies pressure and shifts tone

• Why that “advice” angle is hitting harder than the insults

• Was taking the song down a smart move or the moment this slipped out of Odumodu’s control

Blaqbonez refused to let the moment die — and this version feels like the one that might haunt Odumodublvck for life.

Now it’s on the table.

Did Blaq cook twice or is Odumodu loading something bigger?

Team Blaq or Team OD?

Adekunle Gold and Olamide finally link up on Formation, one of the most talked-about Afrobeats releases of 2026.

In this episode of The Artiste Hangout with Femi Makx, we break down Formation, the long-awaited collaboration between two YBNL Nation alumni, and why this full-circle moment hits deeper than just music.

From the sound and production to the chemistry between Adekunle Gold and Olamide, this is a full breakdown of what makes Formation stand out in today’s Afrobeats scene.

If you’re following new Afrobeats music, Nigerian artists, and major collaborations, this episode gives you the full context behind the record and why it matters now.