As this season of Afrobeats Intelligence winds down, Joey Akan sits with Peruzzi, the Nigerian singer-songwriter behind hits like “Majesty” and “Relationship.” It’s an interview long in the making, and as Akan tells him early on: “These things, when I do them, I usually think, ‘When it happens, it’s the right time.’”

Timing becomes a subtle through-line in the 47-minute conversation – the way it shapes growth, career shifts, and creative evolution.

“I had to go back and sit down and think, like, what would Peruzzi really do regardless of what’s trending,” the artist reflects. “I don’t wanna be boxed.” Still, he acknowledges that the rush of early success came with distractions. “I had to get through that phase to get here. This is the part where they really understand why I was created in the first place, why I decided to do this.”

Akan, ever the thoughtful interviewer, guides the exchange with quiet intention, curiosity, and clarity, giving Peruzzi room to reckon with his past and articulate what’s next. They’re not afraid to delve into the depths of fame; “I was lost in it, I was carried away,” Peruzzi admits, a sober reflection, delivered with the weight of someone who has lived the high life.

Watch below:

The last time Joey Akan caught up with Lojay, it was at the dynamic Nigerian artist’s house. This time, the roles are reversed: Lojay is in Akan’s territory – the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast – for a free-ranging, joyful conversation that lasts just over an hour.

"It's interesting how much you've grown since then," Akan reflects, as Lojay lounges comfortably on a white sofa, dressed in a black hoodie and relaxed jeans. That growth becomes a central theme, echoed in Lojay’s thoughts on artistry, honesty, and intention. “At the end of the day, it’s like, what do you truly want? Are you doing it for something else?” he muses, a mindset he applies to everything from music-making to getting a tattoo.

Akan’s poise allows the conversation to meander without ever losing track. He riffs off Lojay’s reflections, guiding the dialogue with an ease that feels more like a catch-up between old friends than a formal interview. The result is an atmosphere that invites candor, laughter, and the occasional surprising admission.

Lojay speaks openly about the emotional layers that shape his music, like why heartbreak often inspires his most potent songwriting, how fame has complicated his relationships, and the burden of always being viewed through the lens of success.