Introduction
Ayo Animashaun born on march 17,1970 in Lagos state, Nigeria. He grew up in Ilorin, Kwara state. He is a prominent Nigerian entertainment entrepreneur and television executive. He is best known as the founder of hip Tv, a music and lifestyle television channel, and as the CEO of smooth promotions, the company behind THE HEADIES AWARDS and Hip Hop world magazine.
Ayo Animashaun’s Education and Early Career
Animashaun spent his formative years in Ilorin, where he completed his primary and secondary education. At the age of 16, he enrolled at Kwara state polytechnic to study business administration.
Driven by a passion for music, he began compiling and selling handwritten song lyric booklets during his teenage years, marking his initial foray into the media industry.
In 1994, Animashaun launched Hip Hop world magazine, a publication dedicated to Nigerian music and pop culture. This venture laid the groundwork for The Headies, an annual music award show established in 2006 to honor outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.
Under his leadership, smooth promotions expanded its media footprint by launching HipTV on DSTV in November 2013. The channel quickly became a leading platform for music videos, entertainment news and celebrity interviews across Africa.
Ayo Animashaun’s Professional Achievements
Ayo Animashaun is a pioneering figure in the Nigerian entertainment industry, best known for transforming how music is promoted and celebrated in the country.
He began with Hip Hop World Magazine in 1994, which laid the foundation for his future ventures. His most notable achievement is founding THE HEADIES AWARDS, a prestigious music award show that has become a cornerstone of Nigerian pop culture. The Headies music award show takes place every year in Nigeria, where music artsts are usually nominated for different categories.
While appearing on CNN’s African voices change makers, Ayo Animashaun disclosed that he decided to take The Headies Awards to the next level by hosting the award ceremony in the USA. This was done for the purpose of enabling afrobeats music and artists to gain wider recognition. Two consecutives editions were hosted in the USA.
After these two editions, Ayo Animashun brought The Headies Awards back to Nigeria in 2025. This was tagged “back to base” edition which witnessed acts like Davido ,Odumodublvck, Qing Madi, Juma Jux win and shine bright.
As the CEO of smooth promotions, he expanded his influence by launching HipTV on DSTV in 2013, a 24-hour channel dedicated to music and lifestyle, giving Nigerian and African artists a powerful platform.
Through his work, Ayo has played a central role in elevating Afrobeats and showcasing Nigerian talent to the world, earning a lasting legacy in media and entertainment.
In recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry, he was listed among the most influential people in Nigerian entertainment by The Net magazine in 2013.
Ayo Animashaun has won a lot of awards ranging from Gleam Award, UNILAG consult, Global entrepreneurs award, Galaxy music award, and Silverbird Man Of The Year award.
In April 2025, Ayo Animashaun introduced “The headies creative summit”, a high level conference and gathering of creatives with a focus on the business of music and how it drives and intersects other businesses with different verticals of the creative industries.
Ayo Animashaun’s Personal Life
Ayo Animashaun is married to Bisola animashaun with 3 kids. Bisola is the CEO of Simple Treats limited, a Lagos based company specializing in corporate gifts and baskets.
Ayo Animashaun seems to prioritize his family life despite his busy schedule as an entertainment entrepreneur and television executive. Going by his social media posts of quality time and charming videos with his family.
According to Ayo Animashaun via one of his Instagram posts, “May seem like a big sacrifice when you prioritize them but no sacrifice is actually enough. Stopping the business clock for family can come out at a cost…” Ayo Animashaun captions this under a picture of his daughter while emphasizing how balancing work and family can be challenging but also invaluable.
Ayo Animashaun’s Legacy and Impact
Ayo Animashaun’s legacy lies in his pivotal role in shaping and elevating the Nigerian music industry. Through his groundbreaking platforms, Hip Hop World magazine, The Headies and HipTV. He created spaces that celebrated Nigerian talents and also helped standardize the recognition of excellence in music. He was instrumental in transforming Nigerian music into a respected cultural force,both locally and internationally.
By consistently championing Afrobeats and providing visibility for emerging and established artists, Animashaun contributed immensely to the global acceptance of Nigerian music.
Today he is widely regarded as a visionary who helped professionalize entertainment media in Nigeria and inspired a new generation of media entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
Ayo Animashaun stands as a trailblazer in the Nigerian entertainment industry. His visionary leadership from founding The Headies to establishing Hip Tv has significantly influenced the growth and global reach of Nigerian music. Through his dedication, innovation and an unwavering belief in local talent, he is building a legacy that continues to inspire the creative industry. His impact is seen in the platforms he created and in the countless artists and professionals whose careers he has helped shaped.
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