“They’ll Call Us Crazy Before They Understand Us” — King Smade

Walter Sena
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“They’ll Call Us Crazy Before They Understand Us” — King Smade
King Smade
Nigerian-born entrepreneur and cultural architect King Smade has offered rare, unfiltered reflections on culture, leadership and the future of Afrobeats during his recent appearance on Culture Daily with the Culture Squad.

Speaking with honesty, King Smade did not shy away from addressing his long-standing concerns about Nigeria and the broader African system. “I’m not happy about what’s going on in Nigeria. I’ve never been happy with it,” he said, making it clear that his views are not reactionary but rooted in years of observation, study and lived experience as a global African creative.

According to him, meaningful progress begins with understanding structure, discipline and long-term vision. He revealed that he has closely studied the journey of Aliko Dangote, describing the business mogul as an example of how African excellence can be built intentionally and sustained across generations.

King Smade also touched on the pressures faced by African creatives operating at the highest levels. In particular, he spoke warmly about Burna Boy, praising his work ethic and dedication. “Burna Boy is a talented, hardworking and dedicated creative… he’s going to bounce back bigger,” he said, emphasizing that setbacks are often part of the journey for those pushing culture forward on a global scale.

Reflecting on his most visible legacy, King Smade admitted that the success of Afro Nation has gone far beyond its original vision. “Afro Nation got really big. It was bigger than what we proposed,” he explained. What began as an idea to celebrate African music and identity has evolved into the world’s largest Afrobeats festival, shaping global conversations around African culture, sound and unity.

At the heart of the conversation was a powerful message about togetherness. King Smade criticized internal divisions within the African and Black global community, urging people to look beyond borders and labels. “Enough of us segregating ourselves… we’re all one,” he stated, reinforcing Afro Nation’s founding philosophy of unity through culture.

Perhaps the most resonant line from the interview captured the essence of his journey as a cultural visionary: “At some point they’ll see us as crazy before they understand us.” For King Smade, being misunderstood is often the price of building something that has never existed before.

As Afro Nation continues to expand its footprint worldwide, King Smade remains focused on legacy, impact and creating platforms that allow African culture to be celebrated on its own terms. His appearance on Culture Daily offered more than quotes, it provided a glimpse into the mindset of a man committed to reshaping how the world experiences Africa.

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