video episodes

Like @ollysho, what's one thing you miss about growing up on the continent?👇🏾#JapaDiaries #AfricanDiaspora #GrowingUpAfrican

@ollysho knows that life too well

@ollysho (actor musician, full-name-haver) talked to us about growing up in Nigeria, landing in Houston, and somehow ending up on television.

We love a japa story that starts with someone else's plan and ends with yours 💚#JapaDiaries #ImmigrantStory #AfricanDiaspora

AkinolaDaviesJr. says: deal with the tension early. “By the time we got to writing properly, we were already in sync.”

Akinola Davies Jr. and his brother Wale made My Father's Shadow—a film about their father's death and the conversations their Nigerian family never had. But making the film didn't "heal" them the way people expect. And Akinola is honest about that.We talk about grief, family silence, and the quiet hope that creating something can help you process what you never got to say.If this conversation resonates with you, watch the full episode for the deeper story: youtube.com/watch?v=PiZOUs0yPtAAnd don’t forget to check out My Father’s Shadow in theaters near you: mubi.com/en/myfathersshadow0:00 - Four siblings, scattered across continents0:24 - Following the family path to the UK1:08 - The moment he read Wale's script1:35 - How they work together (writer + visual thinker)2:00 - "The film can offer an avenue to healing"2:30 - The intention vs the reality2:57 - "We never communally spoke about it"3:18 - What the film actually did: gave them something to hold on to

POV: You realize your parents were never superheroes.Just people trying their best 💚Akinola Davies Jr. says 'My Father’s Shadow' is a film to watch with your parents, not just about them.Have you ever had a moment that changed how you see your parents? 👇🏽Full conversation out now.

He made an entire film about his father's death.But there's one conversation his family still hasn't had, even after all of that.Sometimes the art comes before the healing. And that's okay.Full episode out now

Filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. left Nigeria at 13 and didn't return for 9 years. In this conversation, he shares what it's like to live between Nigeria and the UK, why he finally made a film about his father, and how creating My Father's Shadow became a healing journey for his entire family.We talk about:- Growing up between Lagos and London without your parents- Building a film career with no connections- Why Nigerian stories need to be told honestly- The healing that comes from telling family stories🎬 My Father's Shadow is in U.S. theaters now, support African storytelling: mubi.com/myfathersshadowTimestamps:0:00 - Intro1:26 - Moving to the UK at 13 without parents7:25 - "My mom was my best friend"15:05 - Being one of few Black kids in rural England16:31 - Why I didn't go back to Nigeria for 9 years30:05 - Where is home? Nigeria, the UK, or both?33:15 - How London taught me resilience37:50 - Breaking into film with no connections40:39 - Making My Father's Shadow wit…

What does it mean to “go home,” especially when you've built a new one elsewhere?We're unpacking the emotions, the nostalgia, and the quiet privilege of having a place you can always return to.

Never meet your heroes... except when it's M.I. Abaga 🤩We're reflecting on our unforgettable conversation with the Nigerian rap icon and how it (thankfully) did not disappoint.Proof that sometimes your heroes really do live up to the hype 💚

We put M.I Abaga on the spot with quick picks between Nigeria and the U.S.What started as a game quickly turned into real insight about living between two worlds.So, whose food, traffic, studio time (and more) does he prefer? Tune in to find out 👀

In this clip, M.I Abaga breaks down the difference between living in Nigeria and living abroad. From different economic realities to how race suddenly becomes a bigger part of the conversation, we discuss why the “shock” is way more visceral than people expect. Plus, M.I shares why he’s hopeful that migration may become a little less complicated in the future.Full episode out now, tap in 💚

M.I Abaga breaks down the moment he realized music was more than just something he loved on the side. He talks early doubts, watching artists like P-Square blow up in real time, and how seeing people who looked like him win changed what felt possible.If you’ve ever downplayed your passion or told yourself “it’s just a hobby,” this one’s for you. Full episode out now, tap in 💚

In this clip, M.I Abaga takes us back to his early days as an international student in the U.S. From choosing to study abroad and navigating culture shock, to the financial pressure that sent him back home, and how that return accidentally kicked off his music career...New here? Welcome to Japa Diaries where we unpack what it really means to live between two worlds 💚

Africa is trying, but why is true unity still so hard? 😅In this clip, we get into the messy, important conversation about Pan-Africanism and the real obstacles standing in the way of a fully united continent. From Western influences (hi France 👀) that still shape African politics, to why some countries are dipping out of ECOWAS, here's a reflective, spicy, and honest conversation we wish more people were having.If you're new here, welcome! We’re all about telling the global African story with warmth, humor, and truth. Tap in 💚

The international student struggle is real 🥴In this clip, Usomine shares her japa story as an international student. From navigating exchange rate, to searching for scholarships she was actually eligible for.She opens up about how all of this impacted her journey, and how the ALB scholarship became one of the lifelines that kept her in school and helped her breathe again.If you want to support students like Usomine, learn more or donate to the ALB endowment fund here: global.utexas.edu/news/endowed-scholarship-uplifts-african-students-generational-change

We asked our guests at our live event to share their Japa stories, and boy did they share!From why they left home, to what they’re chasing, and how the journey has shaped them, this clip is a beautiful reminder that we’re all figuring this diaspora life out together 💚We'd love to hear your story! If you want to be featured in a future episode, fill out our guest intake form: japadiaries.com/guests/intake

Every kid knows that delicate dance between being yourself, and being the version of yourself your parents prefer 👀In this clip, we ask Aunty Tayo for real advice on how to navigate parent–child relationships while still figuring out who we are. From the outfits we change before going out, to full-on code-switching just to keep the peace, we get into ALL of it.Aunty Tayo drops gems about respect, communication, and choosing your battles… while we, of course, add our usual chaos and laughter 😂

Let’s be honest: once you touch American soil… you're coming back different. In this clip, we’re talking about the real study abroad experience: the identity shifts, the cultural absorption we did NOT plan for, and the pressure of trying to meet our parents’ expectations while discovering who we really are.We love our parents, but the truth is… America will humble you, stretch you, and sprinkle some individuality on you whether you asked for it or not 😂If you’ve ever come home for Christmas and your parents said “Hmm… you’ve changed,” this video is for YOU.

It’s official: Afrobeats is in its sampling era!In this clip, we talk about the wave of new songs flipping and reworking classic Afrobeats hits. From artists like Asake to Darkoo, everyone’s pulling from the archives. But is it evolution or are we lowkey recycling vibes? 👀Tune in as we unpack what this means for the sound of the future, and whether nostalgia is carrying the genre or holding us back.What’s your fave Afrobeats track featuring a sample right now? Drop it in the comments!

Okay let’s talk about that Tyla moment! 👀✨In this clip, we unpack her big VMA win, what it means for African music on the global stage, and why it’s wayyy bigger than just Afrobeats. We also chat about the criticism she faced, her graceful response, and why we think Tyla was more than ready for this moment.

Remember when we said Rema was the future of Afrobeats? Yeah… look at him now 👑In this clip, we’re reliving that viral moment from last season. Before the blogs, before the album went global, before everyone caught up 😌 From his sound to his star power, Rema keeps proving why HEIS that guy.

What happens when you walk into your childhood home after 15 years… and nothing has changed? 😭In this clip, Timilehin shares his emotional journey back to Nigeria following the passing of his grandmother. From seeing the same furniture he grew up with, to reconnecting with the people and places that shaped him. It’s tender, it’s real, and somehow we still end up laughing (because… us 😂). If you’ve ever gone home and felt all the feels, this one’s going to hit for sure.