Afrocritik is an online literary platform that curates African content by publishing cultural essays, movie and music reviews, and literary criticism. The brand prides itself as "first of its kind, a melting pot for African expression," a niche- and fully-serviced media outfit catering to African entertainment, African arts, culture, and lifestyle.”[1]
Afrocritik has gained the public trust as a leading platform for cultural criticism, especially in film and music, and their publications praised by reviewers, critics, and creatives alike, and used as references in public domains. The platform speaks highly of its multidisciplinary staff of writers, editors, critics, artists, filmmakers, graphics consultants, and media marketers, with years of experience to their name.[2]
| Categories | Film, Music, Literature, and Interviews |
| Frequency | Weekly |
| Publisher | Afrocritik |
| First launched | June, 2021 |
| Based in | Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Language | English |
| Website | afrocritik.com |
Afrocritik was founded in May, 2021 by Samson Jikeme,[3] an entertainment lawyer and entrepreneur, and long time friend and business partner, Owanate Max-Harry,[4] a transactions lawyer and entrepreneur.[2] Jikeme's interest for technology, entertainment, and media practices as well as Max-Harry's success as a serial entrepreneur, aided the coming-together to co-found Afrocritik. The joint venture was facilitated by the urgency to continue promoting African art and style.[2]
Afrocritik specialises in content writing, storytelling, journalism, and promotion, in entertainment, film, music, and the Arts in Africa[5] Since its inception, Afrocritik has published features and essays, music reviews, movie reviews, literary and book reviews, fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry from writers in African and African diaspora.[1]
The managing editor is Nzube Nlebedim.[6] Nlebedim is also the founder and Editor-in-Chief for The Shallow Tales Review[7]
In 2021, Afrocritik writer, Joshua Chizoma, won the Ken Saro-Wiwa Prize for Review of books for the review of the novel, The Son of the House by Nigerian writer, Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia.[8] Chizoma was also shortlisted for the AKO Caine Prize for African Writing 2022.[9]
The platform accepts previously unpublished submissions centred on Africa.[10]
Afrocritik has interviewed popular celebrities, literary and entertainment personalities from across the African continent, including singers such as Waje,[11] King Perryy[12], producer-cum-singer, Pheelz,[13] and alté musician, Ajebutter22.[14] Sensational stars such as the singer, songwriter, and record producer, 1Da Banton,[15] the Highlife music duo, Umu Obiligbo[16] and budding actor, Chuks Joseph[17] have also been featured.
In the literary scene, Afrocritik have profiled writers such as Nigerian writer and film maker, Onyeka Nwelue,[18] Nigerian poet and classical musician, Echezonachukwu Nduka,[19] and the Nigerian poet, Dami Ajayi.[20]
In January 2023, Afrocritik announced the launch of its biannual Afrocritik Magazine.[2] The maiden edition is set to be published in June 2023, and the second in December 2023.[21] The magazine will target readers that are enthusiastic about African entertainment and culture. As Africa is currently experiencing a pop culture renaissance, Afrocritik will indeptly magazine will showcase unique African cultures, with a spotlight on the "intricate parts of African identity."[2]
The magazine will feature literary and art criticism, interviews, profiles of creatives from Africa in various fields such as film, music, fashion, literature, and tech.[21] According to its founders, Afrocritik magazine "will be an aggregator of both legacy and contemporary/pop versions of African culture, covering the entire continent. With our wide reach, we hope to export African arts and culture to the various crevices of the globe."[2]
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