Indie Creative Ledger

This episode takes you through my personal experience covering the GUBA Awards Barbados 2025. I walk you through the Trade and Investment Conference, the GUBA Award Show, and the moments that stood out to me throughout the weekend. I also reflect on what it means to reach one year and fifty episodes of Behind the Mic, and how the growth, the lessons, and the gratitude from this season continue to shape the show. Featured Quote: “I have to actually acknowledge that I’m living through history right now, presently right in front of me.” - Wize Grazette Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:27 GUBA Awards Recap 05:05 Snippet of Lady Dentaa's Opening Remarks at the Trade and Investment Conference 06:51 Wize Shares Thanks 08:22 Introducing REVOLT Art Fair: The Limited Podcast Series Credits: Hosted by Wize Grazette Edited by Storytime Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a spark you feel the moment someone is built for the mic, and DJ Tricey Trice brings that spark from the second she sits down. In this episode of Behind the Mic, we tap into the fire, the discipline, and the joy that turn her sports commentary into a daily pulse check for fans. From recording on a $40 dollar webcam in her kitchen to hosting The Post Up on REVOLT, Tricey’s rise is a blueprint in hustle and heart.

In this episode of Behind the Mic, I sit down with Dr. Kevin Greenidge, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados and GUBA Vanguard Award nominee, to explore his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to national leadership. We talk about his belief that purpose and vision can transform lives, the economic turnaround of Barbados through the BERT program, and the role of innovation in shaping the island’s financial future. Dr. Greenidge also shares insight on the orange economy, the upcoming BIM Pay system, and how creativity and culture can drive true economic growth. B-Sides Track of the Week: Hero by Mariah Carey, a song that reminds us that everything we need to rise above life’s challenges already exists within us.

In this bonus episode of Behind the Mic, I’m celebrating a huge milestone in my journey, receiving the 2025 Black Podcasting Awards Legend Award. After more than a decade in podcasting, it still feels surreal to be called a legend. You’ll hear the full acceptance speech from the ceremony, my reflections on what this moment means, and how I’m focusing on helping creators thrive in the growing orange economy. I also talk about my new podcast, Coop Back Podcast, where I kick it with my cousins Alex and Kevin about life, anime, and the everyday twists of adulthood in Barbados and abroad. Featured Quote: “Legend… it’s a powerful word. And when I started podcasting 13 years ago, it was not something that I had in the cards.” Chapters: 1:48 - Learn about my new podcast Coop Back 3:23 - Acceptance speech 4:35 - Next episode teaser Thanks for tuning in to Behind the Mic, hosted by Wize Grazette. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @TheRealWize, and stay tuned for the next episode featuring Dr. Kevin Greenidge, G

Africon 2025 was more than an event, it was proof that the diaspora is shaping the creative future. In this episode, I continue my Africon recap with part two of my conversation with Anna and Odessa on the power of unity across the global Black community. Then I share highlights from my mentorship circle, where young creators explored how podcasting can amplify their stories. I also sit down with Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism & the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, to talk about the country’s growing “Orange Economy,” and close the night with Anna and Sofi the Oddity on the Icon Gala red carpet. Featured Quote: “We’re all African. That’s the message I’m here to share until everyone understands it.” — Odessa Chapters: 01:34 Part 2 of my conversation with Anna & Odessa 06:49 Mentorship Circle recap and clips 10:26 Interview with Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa 17:19 Anna and Sofi the Oddity red carpet interview Subscribe wherever you listen and leave a five-star review! Follow @The

On this episode, I take you inside AFRICON 2025, recorded live at REVOLT Studios Atlanta with Anna from First Gems and Odessa from Reasonings with Odessa. We talk about the energy, panels, and connections that made this year’s AFRICON a powerful experience linking the African and Caribbean diaspora. From the opening night at The Gathering Spot to inspiring moments featuring David Banner, Tuma Basa, and Shaka Zulu, this conversation highlights how AFRICON Atlanta 2025 brought creators, leaders, and innovators together from across the world. You’ll also hear Odessa’s exclusive interview with Nigerian DJ and cultural icon DJ Obi, who shares the story behind Obi’s House, one of Africa’s most talked-about parties celebrating music, culture, and unity. “We are not just from Barbados. We’re not Jamaican. We are Africans first.” – Odessa Chapters 01:48 – Africon Experience: Day One Highlights 04:06 – My Conversation with Anna & Odessa at REVOLT Studios 05:05 – Africon Panels and Key Takeaways 15:23 – Investing in

In this episode of Behind the Mic, host Wize Grazette sits down with Talib Jasir, founder of the Afros & Audio Podcast Festival, to explore how one man’s vision reshaped the landscape for Black podcasters across the nation. Talib shares how his passion for storytelling and audio fiction led to the creation of a thriving national community for independent creators, the challenges of sustaining Afros & Audio without major funding, and why this year’s event in Baltimore will be its final celebration. Together, they dive into his personal journey, creative growth, and what’s next for the movement he built.

Season two of Behind the Mic opens with a powerhouse conversation between host Wize Grazette and Lady Dentaa Amoateng, the Founder and President of GUBA Enterprise. Known for her mission to Grow, Unite, Build Africa, Lady Dentaa has spent over 16 years creating opportunities that connect Africans across the diaspora. This episode dives into the upcoming GUBA Awards Barbados, supported by the Prime Minister’s Office, Invest Barbados, BTMI, and the National Cultural Foundation. Lady Dentaa shares how this year’s theme, Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny, aligns with the shared history and future of Africa and the Caribbean, unveiling details about the Trade and Investment Conference, cultural collaborations, and the first-ever chartered flight from Ghana to Barbados. Lady Dentaa also opens up about her journey from pediatric nurse and TV actress to receiving a diplomatic passport, all while raising four children who embody Ghanaian heritage through their names and values. B-Sides Track of the Week: Adonai b

Season 2 of Behind the Mic: Hosted by Wize Grazette is here! This new season expands the vision bringing you interviews not just with REVOLT hosts but also with cultural curators, allies, and creators shaping the future of the creator economy. Expect full interviews, narrated episodes, limited series, and audio-only drops that keep the essence of podcasting alive. Tap in, follow @TheRealWize, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. Credits: Hosted by Wize Grazette. Produced and edited by The Indie Creative Network and Storytime Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this bonus episode of Behind the Mic, Wise Grazette sits down with Odessa and Anna for a special crossover at Africon 2025 in Atlanta. Together, they explore how the conference bridges the African and Caribbean diaspora, celebrates culture, and opens doors for global collaboration. Both Odessa and Anna are former guests of Behind the Mic and return to share their excitement for Africon’s first year in Atlanta. From panels on commerce and culture to the Icon Gala and community events, they discuss what makes this gathering more than just a festival — it’s a movement uniting the diaspora worldwide. “This is the power of collaboration and this is the power of the connection and like closing the gap between the diaspora.” - Wize Grazette AFRICON - www.africon.global Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Behind the Mic Bites, we revisit a powerful conversation with Detavio Samuels, CEO of REVOLT, founder of Offscript, and board member at Ben & Jerry’s—a brand known for its bold stance on activism, justice, and community-first business. Following last week’s Mandela Day episode on South Africa, this conversation highlights how Ben & Jerry’s became one of the few corporations to publicly support the anti-apartheid movement, and how that same legacy continues to shape its mission today. Detavio shares how sitting on their board has helped him reshape his own approach to leadership—bringing concepts like linked prosperity and shared adversity to life at REVOLT and Offscript.

On this special Mandela Day episode of Behind the Mic Bites, we honor Nelson Mandela's legacy and the impact of a free South Africa through the voice of Johannesburg-based creator Big Warra, co-host of The Sobering Podcast.

In this debut episode of Behind the Mic Bites, Wize Grazette breaks down how to repurpose podcast content to extend your reach and grow your audience without burning out. Featuring clips from our convo with full-time content creator and #CareFreeBlackGirl co-host Leslie Latrice, we explore how to turn your existing podcast episodes into new content for YouTube, socials, and more. Whether you're a podcaster looking for smart podcast content strategy tips or a creator curious about how to reuse podcast episodes, this bite-sized episode gives you actionable ideas like: Making mini podcast episodes from key moments Creating themed recap episodes across your season Re-releasing top episodes with commentary & guest updates

We’re closing out Season 1 of Behind the Mic with none other than Detavio Samuels, CEO of REVOLT and Offscript Worldwide. In this episode, Detavio takes us through his journey from growing up in Denver and nearly going down the wrong path, to becoming one of the most influential leaders in Black media today. Featured Quote: “I’m not here trying to build a media company just to get rich. I’m out here trying to make the world a better place.” B-Sides Track of the Week: Detavio shares “There Will Be No Crying” by Cleo Sol, reflecting on the spiritual power of music and how it shapes his worldview.

This week on Behind the Mic, I’m joined by Anna Uche-Eme of The First Gems Podcast. We talk about her move from LA to Atlanta, her time working in Haiti, and how a tight cousin bond turned into a growing podcast brand. From public health to pop culture, Anna breaks down what it means to build something meaningful as a first-gen Nigerian-American.

This week on Behind the Mic, I’m joined by fellow REVOLT Podcast Network veteran and media powerhouse, Lalaa Shepard. Lalaa is the creator of The Progress Report, one of Atlanta’s most respected platforms for hip hop and culture. From her early days working with Cincinnati artists to building genuine relationships in Atlanta’s music scene, Lalaa’s journey is rooted in hustle, intention, and community. B-Sides Track of the Week: Lalaa shares “Hot Boyz” by Kai Cash — a standout track from one of her favorite emerging artists. Lalaa opens up about how her upbringing and work ethic shaped her path from college to the strip clubs of Atlanta where she learned the real mechanics of the music business. She breaks down how The Progress Report became an essential stop for artists, producers, and tastemakers in Atlanta’s hip hop ecosystem. In the rapid-fire game Overrated or Underrated, we get her take on the blog era, media training for artists, women rap collectives, and more. Featured Quote: "I’m just a

On this episode of Behind the Mic, I’m joined by Mokgethwa, aka Big Warra and a whole bunch of other akas, co-host of The Sobering Podcast, one of South Africa’s most respected Hip-Hop podcasts. We dig into the pod’s 10-year journey, what it took to build from scratch, and how Big Warra’s curiosity growing up in Limpopo shaped his love for music, media, and storytelling. B-Sides Track of the Week:Big Warra picks I Bore by Onipa, a continental groove that’s become his go-to track on socials and in life. Rapid-Fire Game:In a word association round, Warra drops 90s gems, cipher shoutouts, and unexpected picks in honor of Black Music Month. Featured Quote:"AKA was a star before he was a star. He always carried himself like one." Chapters:00:27 – Guest Introduction: Big Warra 01:01 – The Sobering Podcast Journey 02:37 – Music Talk: B-Sides Track of the Week 03:47 – Behind the Mic: Big Warra’s Background 06:28 – The Birth of The Sobering Podcast 10:25 – Remembering AKA Follow Big Warra on Instagram and

We're switching things up this week with a special update from Behind the Mic: Powered by REVOLT Podcast Network. As Season One winds down, I’m sharing what’s next: Behind the Mic is taking a break starting at the end of June, but we’re not disappearing. Starting in July, tune in for our new summer series: Behind the Mic Bytes. Each week, we’ll revisit standout moments from past episodes, with a monthly focus on themes like Disability Pride, Back to School, Wellness, and Fashion & Culture.

Learn more about Krista B in this bonus extended clip from Krista's latest episode on Behind the Mic: Powered by REVOLT Podcast Network. Watch all of Season 1 of Behind the Mic: Powered by REVOLT Podcast Network on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOCTSuUwMT0fyOeExh2Sm6xhTdIhHZzSj Follow Krista B: Instagram & Twitter: @ms_kristab Podcast: Those Wrestling Girls on YouTube TikTok, IG, FB, and Twitter: @ThoseWrestlingGirls Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Behind the Mic, I sit down with poet, educator, and storyteller Lynae Vanee—whose voice hits like a sermon and a cipher at once. You’ve seen her on Parking Lot Pimpin’, but now she’s stepping into a new lane with her REVOLT show The People’s Brief, premiering May 20th. B-Sides Track of the Week: Lynae shares a slept-on gem from Cameo’s Word Up album “You Can Have the World.” It’s her daily reminder that dreaming big is never too much. From there, we talk about the woman who changed everything for her, Coach Ray and how Spelman sharpened not just her skills, but her sense of self. She opens up about what HBCUs really teach you and why her EARTHGANG feature was both unexpected and unforgettable. “We shouldn’t be teaching Black kids how to plug into the real world—we should be teaching them how to disrupt it.” – Lynae Vanee Chapters 00:44 – Introducing Today's Guest: Lynae Vanee 00:59 – Lynae Vanee's New Show on REVOLT 02:18 – Lynae's Inspirational Playlist Pick 03:43 – Coach