21 and unstoppable

Voya Magazine Issue 01: 21 Copies for 21 Stars. An immersive celebration of culture, storytelling, and creativity, featuring interactive playlists, games, and curated stories.

Voya Magazine Issue 1 was brought to life by a passionate and dedicated team of 13 creatives, completed in just 22 days. Despite a tight timeline and the inevitable ups and downs of producing something ambitious in such a short period, every page reflects precision, creativity, and a shared commitment to storytelling. This inaugural issue embraced the theme “21 and Unstoppable”, celebrating the founder turning 21, and resulted in a special edition limited to just 21 copies, aptly named 21 Copies for 21 Stars.

Each copy reached the hands of those who shaped the magazine’s stories, including cultural icons like Anthony Azekwoh, featured in the Culture Picks segment, and influential creatives such as Uzo Art. Beyond those featured, the magazine also found its way to selected prominent individuals across society and states, creating a unique sense of cultural ownership and shared experience.

But Issue 1 was designed to be far more than a magazine you simply read. It was a multi-sensory cultural experience. Through interactive features like Voya Frequency, readers could scan QR codes to access curated Spotify playlists that brought the stories to life through sound. Voya Games challenged readers with crosswords filled with names from the playlists, blending fun and engagement with cultural discovery. Every element from music to puzzles, from storytelling to design, worked in harmony to create a fully immersive experience that celebrated creativity, culture, and connection.

This inaugural issue wasn’t just about content, it was a statement. A declaration that storytelling could be interactive, that culture could be celebrated across mediums, and that a magazine could be a living, breathing experience. Voya Magazine Issue 01 set the standard for what’s to come: a bold, innovative, and unforgettable exploration of stories that matter, delivered to a community ready to engage, celebrate, and share.

Despite limited resources and tight timelines, Issue 01 was a testament to resilience. Even when funds ran low, the team, drawing support from friends and the community, pushed forward, proving that determination and creativity can overcome any barrier. The response from readers reflected the impact: people were proud, inspired, and reminded of a culture that had quietly been fading. Issue 1 was not just a magazine; it was a bold statement of intent. It set the tone for Voya’s vision, to become Africa’s premier physical media publisher, crafting cultural references that endure, and proving that with resilience, audacity, and vision, anything is possible.

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