Today, we are delighted to share an AiW Words On… Q&A with Modupe Daramola, founder of Noisy Streetss, a dynamic start-up publisher, on a mission,
“to tell the authentic stories of young Nigerians and Africans, publishing them both within the continent and for a global readership.”
On the release of the third volume of their literary anthology, Love in Detty December— a story collection that looks through the lens of love, longing, and human connection in the distinct rhythm and intensity of the holidays –.we caught up with Modupe for her words on this publication and what it means for Noisy Streetss more broadly.
In her generous set of As to our Words On Qs, Modupe shared with us the ways in which the release of Love in Detty December Vol III once again firms up Noisy Streetss’ commitment to amplifying new voices, marking a milestone in their journey as a publishing house dedicated to nurturing emerging writers, preserving authentic African narratives, and connecting literary talent with audiences across the continent and beyond…
AiW: Thanks so much for speaking with us, Modupe.
Perhaps we could start with a bit of a picture around the specifics, some background, inspiration, significance – namely, why this, why Love in Detty December Vol III, and why now? Are there any pre-lives to the collection that our readers might want to, or should, know about? Any particular challenges, joys, or unexpecteds specific to this experience that you could share with us?
Modupe Daramola: Noisy Streetss is a startup publishing company. Our mission at Noisy Streetss is to ensure that we are telling the authentic African story, in whatever form or language that story may take. Love in Detty December started as a digital effort to archive our December love stories in Lagos.
In Nigeria and Africa at large, December is very peculiar. It’s not “Christmas” in the traditional sense that other parts of the world celebrate. In Africa, December is homecoming, a great return. It’s a time of reunions, wild parties, concerts, beach hangouts, and reconnections.
Love in Detty December was born from the desire to document something vital about the young African experience, the romance, chaos, and nostalgia of December in Lagos and beyond. The project actually pre-dates the founding of Noisy Streetss as a publishing house. It began with ten stories published digitally, and since then, it has evolved into an annual anthology that captures how Africans fall in love in December.
This year, we’re publishing our third collection, featuring eleven stories from across the continent, from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. I’m especially proud of this edition because it reminds me how connected we are across Africa, and how our experiences, though local, are deeply shared and familiar.
AiW: Could you let us in to a bit about your (other) work — with African cultural production and/or the more general and different sorts of roles and professional hats you wear, and how they might feed into each other, as well as what you are focused on now?
Modupe Daramola: As a publishing company, Noisy Streetss is dynamic. We don’t just publish stories in traditional book formats, we also produce podcasts, run a digital magazine, and host a book club. Each of these platforms exists to promote African stories and celebrate young African creators.
Our podcast arm shares the same mission, to tell authentic African stories in engaging audio formats. The forthcoming Noisy Streetss Magazine issue will continue that work by giving writers, photographers, and thinkers a space to express and archive our culture as it evolves.
Along with my team, I help manage each of these projects to ensure that they all feed into one another, creating a holistic ecosystem of African storytelling. Right now, my focus is on expanding our reach across the continent and nurturing young voices that might otherwise go unheard.
AiW: Leading up to this point, this ‘now’, what is the most valued advice you’ve received about navigating your industry (or industries), and/or the best investment you’ve made in your professional self / selves?
Modupe Daramola: The best advice I’ve received is: “Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well” and “Create a company that will outlive you.”
The first came from my mum. Growing up, whenever I tried to do something half-heartedly, she would correct me and say, “Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.” Sometimes she’d even make me start all over again. That lesson has stuck with me, and it’s how I’ve approached my work, both personally and professionally. My goal is always to do my work well, excellently well, no matter what I’m doing.
The second piece of advice came from my professional journey: to build a company that will outlive me. I want to create something sustainable, a company where the people can do the job as well as, or even better than, I can.
AiW: What are the most ethical and/or heart-lifting changes in practice you’ve seen happening recently across your industry/industries, and/or otherwise in your working life? What would you like to see become more visible going forward (jobs, roles, avenues, practices)?
Modupe Daramola: One heart-lifting change is how African writers and creatives are beginning to reclaim their narratives and define success on their own terms. There’s a growing confidence and collaboration across the continent, from self-publishing collectives to community-led literary festivals. I love it! I attended an AfroRomCon festival earlier this year, and it was put together to celebrate romance in African literature. I love how we are finding new ways to celebrate our stories, especially romance, in ways that feel truly our own.
I’d love to see Africa’s creative industries grow into something more visible and viable. I want young people to aspire to roles like editors, book designers, sound engineers, and digital curators, beyond the stereotypical “big four” career paths of lawyer, doctor, engineer, and scientist. I want to see more Africans excelling in creative careers and being celebrated for it.
A selection of photos from Noisy Streetss’ last book launch event (AKIN OJ PHOTOGRAPHY 2024, c. Noisy Streetss)
AiW: Finally, how can we – that is, our blog, books, and online communities – best offer support for this work with African cultural production ongoing?
Modupe Daramola: Visibility and collaboration mean everything. Partnerships, reviews, interviews, and co-hosted events can go a long way in helping small publishers like ours grow. But beyond that, simply taking the time to listen, read, and engage with our stories, that, in itself, is powerful support.
Modupe Daramola is a lawyer, asset manager, and writer. She is the founder of Noisy Streetss, a start-up dynamic publisher dedicated to publishing young African stories and promoting authentic storytelling. Modupe is also the founder of The Mule, an investment collective aimed at empowering women and increasing their participation in the Nigerian economy and the global financial landscape. Her expertise in finance is further underscored by her CFA Level 1 Certification. Her work explores the intersections of literature, finance, and society, with a focus on justice, storytelling, and financial empowerment. Her love for travel, exploration, and diverse cultures continually inspires her creative and professional endeavours. Her essay, ‘“What is Your Story”: Writing Romance in African Words’, has been published in Brittle Paper.
Noisy Streetss Announces Vol. III of annual Love in Detty December Series.
A Celebration of African Storytelling in Love, Chaos, and December
Noisy Streetss Publishing is proud to announce the release of Volume III of its literary anthology series, titled Love in Detty December Vol. III. This latest collection continues our commitment to celebrating authentic African storytelling, this time through the lens of love, longing, and human connection during the festive December season.
Each story captures a distinct rhythm of December, from fleeting encounters to family romances, to friendships. Through these narratives, African writers explore what it means to love, lose, and live in a world charged with the intensity of the holidays.
Noisy Streetss is a publishing house and creative platform committed to amplifying the voices of young Africans. We create spaces for genuine storytelling, inclusivity, and expression, publishing works that reflect the depth, diversity, and dynamism of African youth. Our vision is to become a leading cultural and literary force that unites, inspires, and empowers a new generation of African storytellers.
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