Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic whose 1958 debut novel _Things Fall Apart_ is recognized as both a worldwide literary classic and a founding work of modern African literature. His chief motivation in writing, as he explained in interviews, was to communicate the experience of colonization and post-colonial life through the eyes of native Africans—both to the rest of the world and to future generations of Africans in need of a better understanding of their past and themselves. This mission placed him in combat with the toxic narratives found in existing literature about Africa—almost all of it written from the perspective of colonists—which blamed the failures of colonization on African people rather than on colonialism itself. Achebe remained a prolific writer and a respected commentator on African culture and politics until his death in 2013.

Manifestelle (a.k.a. Elle Ray), through her YouTube channel by that name and through her "Spoiled Girlie Support Group" podcasts, advises young women on how to be discerning about men, how and where to find "good men", and how to best position themselves for long-term successful relationships with them, which begins with achieving their own financial independence so they are not hurt by a system of economics, courtship and gender relations that disadvantages them. While her content stirs controversy, and often outrage, she advises the women who follow her, "don't get mad, get paid", and to practice "malicious compliance" with a system that is unlikely to change in their lifetimes.

Michael Nyman is a British composer, pianist, and musicologist, best known for his minimalist style. He gained international fame for his film scores, particularly for The Piano (1993), directed by Jane Campion. Nyman has also composed operas, chamber music, and orchestral works. His music often combines classical forms with contemporary and experimental elements, making him a pivotal figure in modern classical and film music.

Singer/songwritere Ladan Hussein (stage names Cold Specks, Al Spx), born in Canada to Somali immigrants, left academia as a university student to focus on her music career in London, where she developed a style she has humorously described as "doom soul", a unique blend of soul, blues, and R&B. She has released three albums, with the last, released in 2017, featuring songs in the Somali language. She has since retired her stage name after a struggle with mental health, but has begun publishing new music again under her own name this year.