Mantalk.ke, the award-winning Kenyan podcast founded by Eli Mwenda and Oscar Koome, recently made history as the first podcast in sub-Saharan Africa to produce an entire season in the United Kingdom. With the support of Spotify Studios, Mantalk.ke concluded the production of an incredible season with collaborations in the United Kingdom with media personalities from across Africa such as Lydia Dinga (Kenya), Smade (Nigeria), Stepz (Ghana)
and A12Funny (Nigeria).
Mantalk.ke is popularly known as being one of the pioneer awardees of the Spotify Sounds of Africa grant in Johannesburg and is also the inaugural recipient of the Africa Podcast and Voice Artist (APVA) award for Podcast of the Year 2022 in Lagos. Its success continues to light the way for upcoming and aspiring African podcasters in Kenya and across Africa.
Founded from a barber shop in Ruaka, Mantalk.ke has become a global voice which amplifies the impact of the next generation of black youth today. This is exemplified by the iconic interviews it has had with international music artists such as Bien (Sauti Sol), Fancy Fingers (Sauti Sol), Nviiri the Storyteller (Sol Generation) and Nikita Kering’ (Universal Music Group); media personalities such as Janet Mbugua, George Ndirangu and Mike Wachira as well as content creators such as Joy Kendi, Just Ivy and Kimanzi.
Eli and Oscar, the hosts of Mantalk.ke, run the podcast with the intelligence, class and charisma that has characterized their brand and inspired the Mantalk.ke community. Their talents have enabled them to weave tasteful conversations on love, sex and relationships, facilitate nascent debates on masculinity and self-development as young men and critically discuss the vagaries of entrepreneurship in today’s challenging economy.
Their versatile approach has enabled them to attract global audiences in multiple demographics. The hosts’ style of conversation oozes with ease, comfort and cadence, encouraging guests on their platform to share their stories and life experiences with honesty and joy. On their own, Eli and Oscar’s conversations are riveting, epitomizing the perfect blend of banter and depth that is often a characteristic of healthy male friendships.
Mantalk.ke has been a picture of consistency. It has produced over 100 episodes available on Spotify, YouTube and all other podcast platorms. The podcast has also distributed over 400 short-form videos available on Instagram and TikTok.
When asked for a statement on the recipe for their success, Eli and Oscar stated that they owe it to their community, the #Sweetboys and #Mantalkgirls who inspire them to keep going.
“This is only the beginning. Job’s not finished”.
Few words for men who run a podcast.
