DR. KING SMADE
Dr. Adesegun Adeosun Jr.
Afrobeats Pioneer • Cultural Diplomat • Global Speaker
For over 21 years, Dr. King SMADE has built one of the world’s leading cultural platforms, taking Afrobeats from Africa to the global stage. As Founder of SMADE Entertainment Group and Co-Founder of Afro Nation, he produces sold-out festivals and global cultural events connecting millions.
Trusted by global brands & institutions
Impact at a Glance
Proof of scale across cities, audiences, partnerships and two decades of consistency in global culture.
ABOUT
A Cultural Architect Behind the Global Rise of Afrobeats
Dr. King SMADE is a cultural architect, entrepreneur, and one of the driving forces behind the global rise of Afrobeats.
His journey began in London with house parties that united the African diaspora through music — a grassroots movement that grew into a global platform. As Founder of SMADE Entertainment Group and Co-Founder of Afro Nation, he has produced some of the world’s most iconic Black music festivals and live experiences.
Today, his work spans cultural diplomacy and creative tourism, connecting artists, brands, and nations — positioning African creativity as both a cultural and economic force.
Read My StoryAs Seen In
Selected press, platforms and publications covering Dr. King SMADE, Afro Nation and SMADE Entertainment.
FOCUS AREAS
Where Culture, Strategy & The Creative Economy Meet
From stadium stages to state rooms, Dr. King SMADE operates at the intersection of live experiences, cultural diplomacy, strategy and talent development.
LIVE EXPERIENCES
Live Events & Festivals
Designing and producing global Afrobeats experiences — from Afro Nation and stadium shows to city takeovers that transform culture into community.
Learn MoreCULTURAL DIPLOMACY
Cultural Diplomacy & Partnerships
Building bridges between brands, governments and the creative sector through strategic collaborations, cultural diplomacy and cross-continent partnerships.
Learn MoreSPEAKING & INSIGHT
Speaking & Thought Leadership
Delivering keynotes, panels and cultural commentary on Afrobeats, the creative economy, and Africa’s growing influence on the global stage.
Learn MoreTALENT & ECOSYSTEM
Talent & Ecosystem Building
Developing the next generation of creative leaders through the SMADE NextGen Academy, mentorship, and industry pathways that strengthen the wider ecosystem.
Learn MoreBRAND STRATEGY
Creative Strategy & Brand Building
Advising brands, festivals and cultural platforms on audience psychology, community building, storytelling and culturally intelligent brand growth.
Learn MoreCREATIVE ECONOMY
Creative Economy Development
Partnering with institutions and governments to shape infrastructure, expand tourism pipelines, and build sustainable creative networks across Africa and the diaspora.
Learn MorePlatforms, Brands & Experiences Built With SMADE
Who I Work With
From boardrooms to festival grounds, I partner with organisations and creators who see African creativity as a global force – not a trend.
Let’s WorkGlobal Brands & Innovation Teams
Partnering with marketing, culture and leadership teams to build Afrobeats-led campaigns, experiences and strategies that resonate with Black audiences and the wider world.
Ministries, Cities & Cultural Bodies
Advising on creative tourism, diaspora engagement and cultural diplomacy programmes that position nations as hubs for African music and culture.
Entrepreneurs & Culture-Builders
Supporting promoters, festival founders and creative entrepreneurs through the SMADE NextGen Academy and bespoke mentorship pathways.
Live Events & City Takeovers
Collaborating with festival owners, venues and promoters to design high-impact Afrobeats experiences and multi-city cultural ecosystems.
Fashion Houses & Designers
Working with fashion brands to create image-defining moments, campaigns and cultural partnerships that sit at the intersection of style and story.
MAJOR EVENTS
Flagship Shows & Global Moments
A selection of milestone events that helped take Afrobeats from local stages to a global movement — stadium shows, first-time festivals and culture-defining moments.
View All Past EventsFestival • 2012
Love Afrobeats Festival
One of the early large-scale Afrobeats festivals in the UK, bringing together artists, DJs and fans and laying foundations for the global Afrobeats live movement.
View full case study →Tour • 2018
Davido 30BG World Tour (UK)
A landmark UK leg for Davido’s 30BG World Tour, cementing Afrobeats as a major touring force with packed venues, high production value and global demand.
View full case study →Indoor Festival • 2018
AFROREPUBLIK 2018
A sold-out indoor Afrobeats festival that showed the genre’s ability to fill arenas, setting a new benchmark for production, staging and audience experience.
View full case study →Festival • 2019–2024
Afro Nation Portugal
The flagship beach festival that became a global pilgrimage for Afrobeats and Black music, attracting fans from every continent and transforming Portimão into a cultural hotspot.
View full case study →Arena Show • 2019
Starboy Fest
A landmark Wizkid-led arena experience, showcasing the Starboy brand and Afrobeats star power with immersive staging and an all-star line-up.
View full case study →Festival • 2019–2022
Afro Nation Ghana
A homecoming festival aligning with “Year of Return” and beyond, deepening ties between the continent and diaspora through music, tourism and culture.
View full case study →Festival • 2021
Yam Carnival
A one-day celebration of Black music, food and culture in London, spotlighting Afrobeats, dancehall, hip-hop and more in a carnival-style atmosphere.
View full case study →Arena Shows • 2021
Wizkid — Made in Lagos London
Record-breaking sold-out O2 Arena shows for Wizkid’s Made in Lagos era, signalling Afrobeats’ arrival at the very top tier of global touring.
View full case study →Festival • 2022
Afro Nation Puerto Rico
The first Afro Nation in the Americas, connecting Afrobeats with Caribbean and Latin audiences and expanding the festival’s global footprint.
View full case study →Festival • 2023
Afro Nation Miami
A high-profile US edition that brought Afrobeats to one of the world’s biggest entertainment hubs, tapping into American, Caribbean and global audiences.
View full case study →Festival • 2023
Afro Nation Detroit
A culturally significant stop in the home of Motown, connecting Afrobeats with Black American musical legacy and local creative communities.
View full case study →SPEAKING & MEDIA
Where culture meets the world stage
Dr. Adesegun “King SMADE” Adeosun Jnr. is a cultural architect and Afrobeats pioneer. He speaks on how African creativity is reshaping global culture and how brands, governments and institutions can build authentic bridges with the continent and its diaspora.
Professional Speaker Profile
Founder, SMADE Entertainment Group • Co-Founder, Afro Nation. Producer of global festivals and cultural programs across 18+ cities with over 2 million attendees. An advocate for cultural diplomacy, creative tourism, and the power of Afrobeats as a global economic force.
Key speaking themes
Past Speaking & Media Appearances
From brand summits and cultural festivals to policy conversations and broadcast media, King SMADE has shared insights and shaped dialogue on Afrobeats, cultural diplomacy, and creative leadership with institutions around the world.
PRESS & FEATURES
From festival stages to front-page stories
King SMADE’s work in Afrobeats, cultural diplomacy, and the creative economy has been featured across global press, awards lists and cultural platforms — from MIPAD recognition to Ranks Africa, MODE Men, Inspire and more.
Global recognition & cultural impact
From “Most Influential People of African Descent” honours to cover stories and cultural economy profiles, SMADE’s work sits at the intersection of music, business, diplomacy and the future of African creativity.
Explore the full archive of profiles, interviews and accolades that document how Afrobeats moved from underground parties to a worldwide movement.
Zimbabwe Creative Diplomacy Mission (2025)
In 2025, Dr. King SMADE led a multi-city creative diplomacy mission across Harare, Kariba and Victoria Falls — convening artists, ministers, tourism leaders and the diaspora to position Zimbabwe as a cultural and creative tourism destination.
Cultural Diplomacy Missions
ARTISTS WE’VE WORKED WITH
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2BABA 🇳🇬
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adekunle gold 🇳🇬
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AFRO B 🇨🇮🇬🇧
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asake 🇳🇬
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baba Harare 🇿🇼
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BANKY W 🇳🇬
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BIEN 🇰🇪
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BNXN 🇳🇬
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black sheriff 🇬🇭
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burna boy 🇳🇬
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camidoh 🇬🇭
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CASSPER NYOVEST 🇿🇦
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CENTRAL CEE 🇬🇧
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Chike 🇳🇬
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CKay 🇳🇬
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COMPOZERS 🇬🇧
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DARKOO 🇳🇬🇬🇧
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DAVIDO 🇳🇬
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DEJ LOAF 🇺🇸
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D BANJ 🇳🇬
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DIAMOND PLATINUMZ 🇹🇿
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DJ MAPHORISA 🇿🇦
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DJ SPINALL 🇳🇬
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DON JAZZY 🇳🇬
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FALZ 🇳🇬
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FIK FAMEICA 🇺🇬
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FOCALISTIC 🇿🇦
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Freeman HKD 🇿🇼
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fuse odg 🇬🇭
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ICE PRINCE 🇳🇬
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iYANYA 🇳🇬
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JAH PRAYZAH 🇿🇼
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JULS 🇬🇧🇬🇭
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J HUS 🇬🇧
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Kamo Mphela 🇿🇦
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kizz Daniel 🇳🇬
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LATTO 🇺🇸
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l.a.x.🇳🇬
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LOLA RAE 🇳🇬🇬🇧
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LYNXXX 🇳🇬
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mayorkun 🇳🇬
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MOELOGO 🇬🇧🇳🇬
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MR EAZI 🇳🇬
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MS BANKS 🇬🇧
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musa keys 🇿🇦
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NAIRA MARLEY 🇳🇬
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nqobile 🇿🇦🇬🇧
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olamide 🇳🇬
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Omarion 🇺🇸
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oxlade 🇳🇬
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patoranking 🇳🇬
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phyno 🇳🇬
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p-square 🇳🇬
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rema 🇳🇬
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rotimi 🇳🇬
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Ruger 🇳🇬
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shingai shoniwa 🇿🇼🇿🇼
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SIMI 🇳🇬
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Skyla Tylaa 🇬🇧
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spyro 🇳🇬
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STEFFLON DON 🇬🇧
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STONE BWOY 🇬🇭
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STYLO G 🇯🇲
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SONA 🇬🇧
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teni 🇳🇬
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TION WAYNE 🇬🇧
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TINIE TEMPAH 🇳🇬
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Tiwa savage 🇳🇬
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WALE 🇺🇸
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willis chimano 🇰🇪
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WIZKID 🇳🇬
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WurlD 🇳🇬🇺🇸
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YCEE 🇳🇬
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YEMI ALADE 🇳🇬
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ZLATAN 🇳🇬
Next Generation
A grassroots incubator for the next generation of culture-builders.
From SMADE the promoter to Dr. KING SMADE the cultural architect.
This journey has always been about building platforms, creating opportunities, and shaping a future where new voices can rise.
Now, it’s time to open the doors for the next generation.
THE JOURNEY
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2004-2007
Kings Cross house parties spark a cultural movement
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2009
Co-promotes D’banj Koko Concert at Indigo2
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2011
Launches Afrobeats Festival – HMV Apollo Wizkid, P-Square, Ice Prince, Davido and Flavour all feature across editions.
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2014
UK Tours & SMADEAFROFEST — Wizkid, Olamide, Ice Prince, Dr Sid, Mr May D.
Headliners: Wande Coal, Maleek Berry, Kizz Daniel. -
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2019
Co-founds Afro Nation Festival (Portugal & Ghana) Becomes the world’s largest Afrobeats festival brand.
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2021
3x Sold-Out O2 Arena with Wizkid
Launches SMADE Lounge + headlines Yam Carnival (London) -
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2022
Davido headlines O2 Arena (March)
University Tour | Lounge becomes nightlife epicentre of UK Afrobeats -
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2024
Led strategic tourism advocacy in Nigeria, Ghana, Dubai, Rwanda, and Saudi Arabia
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2024
Headlined Afro Nation Portugal & Detroit while hosting global icons like Davido and Wizkid
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2025
Awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts for his 21-year contribution to Afrobeats and cultural diplomacy
awards & recognitions
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uk africa and trade xpo - 2025
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HONARARY doctorate - 2025
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SOCIAL CIRQ - 2025
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BRITAFRIQUE AWARD - 2019
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AFRICAN PRIDE AWARDS - 2018
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AFW TRADE EXPO 2024
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mipad 2024
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![Ranks Africa 100 Most Impactful People 2024]()
Ranks Africa 100 Most Impactful People 2024
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nelas academy (TOP 100 PERSONALITIES) 2019
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AFRICOMEU 2016
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NEL AWARDS - best business (2012)
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Pauline Long foundation humanitarian award
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global african awards
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City of los angeles certificate of recognition
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forty under 40
