Who We Be
Our Story
Hype was founded to bridge creativity and commerce with intention. In a rapidly evolving African cultural economy, Hype identified the need for an integrated ecosystem — one capable of nurturing talent, producing world-class experiences, and delivering commercially successful partnerships without compromising cultural integrity.
From national brand campaigns and landmark live productions to globally recognised music and hospitality ventures, we have built a diversified portfolio anchored in strategic execution, ownership, and long-term vision. Nairobi-born and based across Nairobi and Johannesburg, Hype continues to expand its cultural and commercial footprint across key African and international markets.
Our Vision
To build one of Africa's most influential cultural enterprises — a group that not only participates in the industry but also defines it.
We envision a future where African media, music, live entertainment and hospitality operate with ownership, global competitiveness, and uncompromising excellence.
Leadership
Talib Kitawi
Founder & CEO
Talib Kitawi is an African entertainment entrepreneur, executive and investor with more than 20 years of experience across live entertainment, talent, music, media, technology and hospitality.
His career has been built across multiple major entertainment markets, including Kenya, the United Kingdom, United States, South Africa and Dubai, giving him a distinctly international perspective on the African creative economy and its relationship with global markets.
Over the years, Talib has advised and consulted for established entertainment businesses including Big Concerts, South Africa's leading live entertainment company, and JBM Music, a UK-based music and entertainment business. His international work has given him exposure to global touring, artist management, live-event economics, commercial partnerships and the operational structures behind large-scale entertainment businesses.
Today, Talib is focused on building companies and intellectual property that strengthen Africa's entertainment ecosystem. He is the founder of Hype Afrika, an entertainment and culture platform built around music, live experiences, nightlife, lifestyle and the broader business of African culture.
His wider entrepreneurial portfolio spans entertainment technology, talent representation, ticketing, media and real estate. Across these ventures, his focus is consistent: identifying structural gaps in the market, building commercially viable businesses around them, and creating platforms through which African talent and culture can participate more meaningfully in the global economy.
Talib approaches entertainment as both a cultural force and an investable industry. His experience across markets has shaped a conviction that Africa's next phase of entertainment growth will not be driven solely by artists or events, but by the development of the infrastructure, technology, capital and institutions that support them.
Through Hype Afrika, his ambition is to build a globally credible African entertainment platform originating from the continent and capable of operating at an international standard.
Culture is the asset. Entertainment is the industry. Infrastructure is the opportunity.