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  • Prince Amukamara on Nigerian Roots, Super Bowl, New York Giants, NFL & Football | One54

    Prince Amukamara on Nigerian Roots, Super Bowl, New York Giants, NFL & Football | One54
    2025/12/23

    Super Bowl champion and former NFL standout Prince Amukamara joins for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation. From growing up Nigerian in America to playing on the biggest stages in sports, Prince opens up about identity, discipline, faith, and what really happens after the lights go off in professional football.

    Drafted in the first round by the New York Giants, Prince reflects on life inside NFL locker rooms, Super Bowl runs, and the mental pressure that comes with expectations, comparisons, and public scrutiny. He shares candid stories about transitioning out of football, redefining purpose beyond the game, and navigating success in a world that often ties worth to performance.

    The conversation explores Nigerian upbringing, African parenting, and how cultural values shaped Prince’s work ethic and mindset—paralleling the journeys of athletes like Odell Beckham Jr., Saquon Barkley, Michael Strahan, Tom Brady, and Patrick Mahomes. Prince also discusses representation in sports, legacy, and how African and first-generation athletes are reshaping American culture alongside voices like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Serena Williams, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

    They dive deep into post-NFL identity, mental health, finances, and faith, touching on lessons relevant far beyond football. From locker-room dynamics to life lessons that echo the journeys of figures like Dwayne Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Jay-Z, and Oprah Winfrey, this episode offers insight, honesty, and inspiration.

    Raw, reflective, and rooted in culture, this episode of One54 highlights what it truly means to evolve, honor your roots, and build a meaningful life after the spotlight.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    2 時間 10 分
  • Elsa Majimbo On Kenya, Colorism, Going Viral, Beyoncé, Lupita & Rihanna | One54

    Elsa Majimbo On Kenya, Colorism, Going Viral, Beyoncé, Lupita & Rihanna | One54
    2025/12/17

    Global viral sensation Elsa Majimbo joins Akbar and Godfrey for a powerful, hilarious, and deeply honest episode of One54. Born and raised in Kenya, Elsa opens up about her rise from making videos with a bag of chips to becoming an international star embraced by icons like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Steve Harvey, and Lupita Nyong’o.

    Elsa reflects on growing up in Nairobi, navigating colorism in Kenya, and why being a dark-skinned woman shaped her confidence, voice, and purpose. She shares how viral fame changed her life overnight, why she dropped out of school after blowing up online, and how social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube became tools for global impact.

    The conversation dives into Elsa’s journey from Kenya to South Africa and eventually Los Angeles, culture shock in America, immigration struggles, and the realities of holding a Kenyan passport in a post-colonial world. She also discusses working with Beyoncé’s Ivy Park, Rihanna’s Fenty brand, attending exclusive events, and receiving personal encouragement from Lupita Nyong’o that still fuels her today.Elsa and the hosts talk fame, authenticity, celebrity relationships, mental health, sobriety, and staying grounded while navigating Hollywood, brand deals, and viral success. From meeting Beyoncé to being embraced by Steve Harvey, Elsa breaks down what it really means to rise fast — and stay true.

    This episode is a celebration of African excellence, resilience, and global influence — and a reminder that representation matters.

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    1 時間 25 分
  • Jimmy Akingbola on Bel-Air, Will Smith, James Bond & Becoming a Global Nigerian Icon | One54

    Jimmy Akingbola on Bel-Air, Will Smith, James Bond & Becoming a Global Nigerian Icon | One54
    2025/12/11

    Jimmy Akingbola has built a career that spans British theatre, Hollywood television, and global film — but the journey wasn’t easy. In this One54 Africa conversation, the Bel-Air star opens up about breaking into the U.S. industry, navigating identity, and why so many UK actors — from Daniel Kaluuya, Idris Elba, John Boyega, David Oyelowo, Damson Idris, to Cynthia Erivo — are reshaping Hollywood. Jimmy also speaks on the moment his peers urged him to take bigger swings, what it felt like to finally reconnect with family in Nigeria, and why his community believed he had the presence to one day step into iconic roles — even James Bond.

    Jimmy opens up about losing his father, healing generational wounds, and the emotional reconnection with his mother that reshaped his identity as a man and as an artist.

    This episode dives into culture, legacy, identity, grief, success, and the powerful journey of finding where you truly belong.

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    1 時間 58 分
  • Olly Sholotan on Bel-Air, Nigerian Roots, Music Genius & Hollywood Hustle | One54

    Olly Sholotan on Bel-Air, Nigerian Roots, Music Genius & Hollywood Hustle | One54
    2025/12/03
    Olly Sholotan — actor, musician, producer, and the breakout star who redefined Carlton Banks in Peacock’s Bel-Air — joins Akbar and Godfrey for a hilarious, soulful, and deeply honest conversation on One54. From Nigerian roots to Hollywood sets, Olly opens up about the journey that shaped him into one of the most compelling young creatives in entertainment today.Born in Atlanta, raised between Nigeria, the UK, and Houston, Olly shares how culture, identity, and constant reinvention sharpened his artistic instincts. He talks about learning accents out of survival, finding community as a first-generation kid, and discovering his passion for storytelling.

    Olly breaks down how he taught himself to produce music from scratch, why Billie Eilish’s early career inspired him at UCLA, and how he blends his voice into complex sound design. He shares stories of grinding through auditions, the nerves of almost landing a role in Logan, and the pressure of stepping into one of TV’s most iconic characters with Bel-Air.

    They also explore Nigerian food culture, jollof rice superiority, Yoruba spirituality in Cuba, African influence around the world, and the shared thread between Nigerian, Caribbean, and Black American communities.

    From being a tech-loving kid who thought he’d study computer science…
    To performing Shakespeare in British dialects…
    To singing full Cuban songs phonetically for an Off-Broadway musical…
    To starring in a global reboot of a cultural classic…

    Olly’s story is a reminder that African creativity is boundless — and unstoppable.A vibrant, comedic, and meaningful conversation filled with identity, art, hustle, culture, and laughter.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    1 時間 57 分
  • Darryl Vega on Nigerian Childhood, Immigration Struggles, Comedy & Finding His Voice | One54

    Darryl Vega on Nigerian Childhood, Immigration Struggles, Comedy & Finding His Voice | One54
    2025/11/19
    Darryl Vega, Nigerian-born storyteller, creator, and rising comedic voice, joins Akbar and Godfrey for an honest, funny, and deeply personal episode of One54. From losing his mother at a young age to navigating the turbulence of immigration, identity, culture shock, and rediscovering his voice, Darryl’s journey reflects the resilience, humor, and heart found across the African diaspora.
    Born in Lagos and raised between Nigeria and the United States, Darryl opens up about the pain and confusion of childhood loss, the difficulty of adjusting to a new country, and the ways culture, grief, and survival shaped him. He recounts the sharp discipline of Nigerian upbringing, the expectations placed on first-generation kids, and the emotional toll of navigating two worlds while trying to figure out who he truly was.

    The hosts and Darryl dive into the duality of being African in America — the code-switching, the misunderstandings, the stereotypes, and how comedy became a way to process trauma, honor his roots, and express truth. They explore how his storytelling style was influenced by Nollywood, Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, and the Nigerian uncles who can turn anything into a lecture.
    Darryl also opens up about the hustle behind creating content in today’s digital world — from writing sketches to understanding the TikTok and Instagram algorithms to going viral unexpectedly. He talks about carving a space for African humor online, building a loyal audience, and wanting to represent Nigerians in a way that is authentic, layered, and human.

    The conversation explores family, friendships, manhood, and how the absence of his mother shaped his emotional world. Darryl reflects on healing, therapy, faith, and the moments where he felt closest to quitting — and the surprising breakthroughs that kept him going. From the immigrant survival mindset to the pressure of being “the one who made it,” he shares raw insights about loneliness, identity, and starting over.

    Filled with laughter, vulnerability, and cultural pride, this episode tackles grief, creativity, reinvention, purpose, and the complex beauty of growing up Nigerian in America. Darryl Vega’s story is a testament to the strength found in struggle and the power of holding onto your true self, no matter how many times life breaks you down.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    2 時間 31 分
  • Ling & Lamb: Viral Love, Intercultural Marriage, Nigerian Pride & American Slang | One54

    Ling & Lamb: Viral Love, Intercultural Marriage, Nigerian Pride & American Slang | One54
    2025/11/05
    Ling & Lamb—viral creators with 8.5M+ followers and 3B+ views—join Akbar and Godfrey for a laugh-out-loud, culture-rich episode of One54.

    From palm wine and “chin-chin” debates to Lagos traffic and pronunciation games (“burger,” “squirrel,” Yoruba tones), the couple unpacks life as an intercultural family—blending Nigerian pride, American slang, and the everyday comedy that made them internet favorites.

    Lamb shares his journey from music to mission: staging full-scale concerts inside Nigerian prisons (a Johnny Cash–style twist) and helping free 135 non-violent inmates—then bringing that advocacy stateside. Ling opens up about learning Nigerian cuisine (egusi, okra, pounded yam), the infamous “cheesy chin-chin,” and how mac & cheese finally won Lamb over.

    Together they keep it real about communication, tone, and volume in marriage—and how humor, patience, and faith turn culture clashes into connection. They also reveal the heart behind their new book, Beautiful Foolishness—a playful, practical look at love with space to journal after each chapter—and the gritty first years: moving into Ling’s childhood bedroom, Lamb volunteering at the YMCA, landing the Lowe’s job, and building a salon and a brand from scratch.

    From Yoruba vs. Igbo identity to “green card” stereotypes, OnlyFans/police pranks, pet-peeves, credit cards (“cash and carry” vs. U.S. credit), and why timing kids is up to God—this one has humor, heart, and real talk.

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    2 時間 5 分
  • Emmanuel Acho On Nigerian Roots, Oprah, Uncomfortable Conversations & Matthew McConaughey | One54 Full Episode

    Emmanuel Acho On Nigerian Roots, Oprah, Uncomfortable Conversations & Matthew McConaughey | One54 Full Episode
    2025/10/22

    Emmanuel Acho, Emmy Award–winning host, New York Times bestselling author, and creator of Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, joins Akbar and Godfrey for a raw and inspiring episode of One54.

    From NFL locker rooms to national television, Emmanuel shares how his Nigerian roots, faith, and family shaped his journey toward purpose and success.
    Born to Nigerian parents who immigrated to America with nothing, Emmanuel opens up about his father’s path from janitor to Ph.D. in psychology and his mother’s pursuit of a doctorate in nursing—all while raising four kids in Dallas, Texas.

    He recalls growing up between worlds: attending private school, going to church, learning discipline from strict African parents, and navigating the pressure to live up to the “doctor, lawyer, or engineer” standard.
    The hosts and Emmanuel discuss identity, colorism, and pride—comparing how Coming to America first gave Africans a sense of cinematic royalty and how Black Panther made it cool to embrace African roots in Hollywood.

    They reflect on cultural duality, from being called “too African” to “not Black enough,” and how that tension evolved into a superpower for first-generation kids.

    Emmanuel also opens up about the American Dream—what it truly means for immigrants, why his father’s mantra of “no excuses” drives him, and how faith kept him grounded through NFL setbacks and media fame. He discusses how Uncomfortable Conversations started and how Matthew McConaughey and Oprah helped him along the way. He shares powerful insights on representation and seeing African names proudly displayed on NFL jerseys.

    Filled with humor, honesty, and cultural pride, this episode dives deep into the power of heritage, family, and perseverance.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    2 時間 9 分
  • Uzo Aduba On Growing Up Nigerian, Code-Switching, Beyoncé, Gap & Orange Is the New Black | One54 Full Episode

    Uzo Aduba On Growing Up Nigerian, Code-Switching, Beyoncé, Gap & Orange Is the New Black | One54 Full Episode
    2025/10/15
    Uzo Aduba, the three-time Emmy Award–winning actor, joins Akbar Gbajabiamila and Godfrey Danchimah on this episode of One54. Born to Nigerian parents who lived through the Biafran War, Uzo reflects on how her mother’s courage and work ethic shaped her worldview. She opens up about growing up in Massachusetts, being one of the few Black students in her school, and the painful moment she first heard a racial slur—and how her mother’s fiery response taught her dignity, strength, and pride.

    The hosts and Uzo dive into the duality of being Nigerian and African American, embracing both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., while also honoring African icons like Nnamdi Azikiwe and Nelson Mandela. They explore how code-switching begins as survival but evolves into a superpower—a skill that bridges cultures, as Trevor Noah once described in Born a Crime.

    From beauty standards to self-acceptance, Uzo shares how she once wanted braces to close her gap—until her mother reminded her it was a family mark of beauty. She reflects on the pressures of being a Nigerian kid expected to become a “doctor, lawyer, or engineer,” and how she defied expectations by pursuing her passion for the arts.

    Uzo recounts the emotional moment she almost quit acting after endless rejections—crying on the New York City subway—only to receive a life-changing call offering her the role that would define her career. She reveals how she built Orange Is the New Black’s beloved “Crazy Eyes” not from madness, but from love and innocence, channeling what she calls “childlike chaos.”

    She also opens up about losing The Color Purple role to Fantasia Barrino, being compared to Beyoncé after starring as Glinda in The Wiz Live!, and what it takes to stay grounded when the spotlight gets intense. Uzo discusses her acting process, journaling habits, and the influence of performers like Daniel Day-Lewis, Jim Carrey, and Viola Davis, who once inspired her in their New York theater days.

    Akbar and Godfrey reflect on money, success, and gratitude, sharing how Nigerian parents often express love through sacrifice—and how true success isn’t about fame, but about honoring the investment your family made in you. Uzo explains how she now uses her platform to pay it forward, mentoring others just as her community once supported her.

    The episode ends on a note of love and faith. Uzo describes meeting her husband at a rooftop mixer at the Empire Hotel, right after praying for clarity and giving up on dating. For the first time, she was fully herself—and it led to a love story worthy of a movie. She even shares details of her two weddings: a classic white American ceremony and a traditional Nigerian celebration complete with the money dance, kola nut, and joyful family traditions.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    1 時間 37 分