REWRITING THE NARRATIVE: AI AND STORYTELLING ( EP 9 GRIT TALK FEAT MALIK AFEGBUA)

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND CREATIVITY ( EP 10 GRIT TALK FEAT OLUWATOBI "ICON" OREOLUWA)

Oluwatobi “Icon” Oreoluwa is a media entrepreneur and creative powerhouse known for his dynamic presence and bold projects. Describing himself as a “Gentleman of the street,” he juggles roles across iconic brands like Iconic Stuff Only, Street Church and Ashtag Team. Tobi is also actively engaged in Africa’s music and creative scene, having appeared on influential panels such as the “Artist Blueprint” at Make Music Lagos 2025. His content, ranging from street‑style visuals to behind‑the‑scenes of media and music events, echoes his tagline: “Just an Icon Living & Loving.” In 2023, he launched Iconic Stuff Entertainment, a “kingdom‑focused” full‑service record label and entertainment collective, inspired by his stint managing AnEndlessOcean. The label aims to propel African artists onto the global stage while prioritizing creative freedom, fair collaboration, and mutual profitability, guided by empathy and a refusal to cling to industry norms.

REWRITING THE NARRATIVE: AI AND STORYTELLING ( EP 9 GRIT TALK FEAT MALIK AFEGBUA)

Malik Afegbua is a Nigerian filmmaker, artist, and creative technologist renowned for his innovative approach to the arts using AI technology. He’s the founder and CEO of Slickcity Media, a full‑stack media production company, blending film, VR, AI, and photography to craft immersive narratives.  In January 2023, he gained global attention with "The Elder Series," a collection of AI-generated images depicting seniors in stylish, colourful attire on a fashion runway. The project garnered praise for its positive portrayal of elderly individuals while also sparking debate about AI's impact on human creativity in art. Malik’s approach emphasizes ethical, culturally rooted AI practice—utilizing tools like Midjourney, Photoshop, and Illustrator to co‑create artwork that preserves originality and challenges biased narratives in tech. Beyond "The Elder Series," Malik is building Africa’s first large‑language model, archiving Lagos in VR, curating youth‑empowerment initiatives with C.E.L.S., and preserving African heritage through VR documentaries via collaborations with Meta.

WHAT BRANDING IS NOT ( EP 8 GRIT TALK FEAT OREOLUWA PETERS “MR ROLLOUT “)

Oreoluwa Peters (professionally known as Mr. Rollout) is a creative entrepreneur, brand strategist, and co‑founder of DSE Africa (formerly Doble Seis Entertainment), a 360° talent and event management agency. With over a decade of experience in advertising, technology, entertainment, and brand consulting, he has built iconic creative brands and launched major projects, working with top-tier Nigerian talents like Teni The Entertainer, Simi Drey, and Moet Abebe. As founder of the “Mr. Rollout” brand strategy arm under DSE Africa, Oreoluwa helps African creatives build and sustain globally recognized personal brands . A seasoned speaker and moderator at events like Music Marketing Conference Africa and The Working Circle, he emphasizes that “talent has never been the problem, presentation is,” highlighting his philosophy of powerful creative storytelling.  Oreoluwa's portfolio spans high-impact campaigns and luxury experiences, including the award-winning rollout of Teni’s WONDALAND, immersive fashion activations like GLAM X, and collaborations with global brands like Budweiser, Pepsi, Armani, Veuve Clicquot, Globacom, and Apple Music.

IP FOR PEANUTS ( EP 7 GRIT TALK FEAT KOFOWOROLA EZE)

Kofoworola Eze is an entertainment lawyer specializing in music clearance, licensing, copyright, rights acquisition, and film legal affairs. She advises on contracts and rights management across music, film, and media industries. As a Legal Executive at EbonyLife Group, she oversees legal and business affairs for local and international productions, collaborating with record labels, publishers, production companies, and streaming platforms to ensure smooth rights negotiations. Kofoworola is experienced in cross-border transactions and contract negotiations, with projects involving Netflix, Sony, and Warner. She’s also passionate about educating creatives on their legal rights and securing fair, long-term deals.

NIGHTLIFE IS NOT VIBES ( EP6 GRIT TALK FEAT ISAAC "KWAME" ATTIOGBE.

Kwame is a creative and cultural curator, a mastermind behind Love In the Boulevard, a space for R&B lovers and Paperbox, a food service for the late-night crowd. Kwame believes in trying things and working with authenticity in every venture.