Emerging from Nigeria, Joeboy swiftly rose to the title of the “African Pop Star” with his 2019 EP, “Love & Light,” dominating charts across Africa. Hits like ‘Baby’ (with 80M+ YouTube views) topped lists in over ten countries, earning him accolades like ‘Best Artiste in Africa Pop’ and ‘Song of the Year.’ His 2021 debut album, “Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic,” notched chart success in 25+ countries, amassing a staggering 300M+ streams. Praised by music titans like Pitchfork and Rolling Stone, Joeboy’s collaborations and sold-out tours solidify his stature as an Afrobeat powerhouse.
Fresh from the triumph of “Body & Soul,” Joeboy caps off 2023 with the phenomenal “Body, Soul & Spirit EP,” boasting over three billion streams. His musical prowess cements his place as a global music star. With an unwavering fanbase and critical acclaim, Joeboy continues to shape the future of Afrobeat, leaving an indelible mark on the world stage.
We had the pleasure of having a chat with the acclaimed Nigerian Afrobeat sensation to find out more about his meteoric rise, global impact, and the pulse of his music that resonates worldwide.
Where did your love for music originate? Could you share a bit about your childhood and any early influences that shaped your passion for creating music?
[JOEBOY]: I grew up with music around me, I had my siblings in the church choir and my dad played the drum. My love for music has been right from time, I was a bit shy about my music, especially in my late teenage years. I was okay with just writing and singing in my room but over time, I grew confident in my talent and became more outward with my music, and the rest is history.
2. Growing up in Lagos, what aspects of your upbringing do you find manifesting in your music or musical career today, whether in themes, rhythms, or storytelling?
[JOEBOY]: The love my parents showed themselves as well as my siblings and I was very pure. I grew up in a very loving and spiritual household where we were encouraged to be ourselves and find our spiritual connection with God and this has heavily influenced me and my music.
3. Let’s chat a bit about ‘BODY, SOUL & SPIRIT’. This EP seems to touch on various emotional states, from introspection to resilience. How did these emotions influence the sonic and lyrical choices within each song?
[JOEBOY]: I had a 2 week period where people I considered as family betrayed me coupled with other issues I can’t really talk about that really got me paranoid and borderline depressed but the great thing was that period brought me closer to God which is why you hear me talk about only God can save me and I cover myself with the blood of Jesus because, at the end of the day, he is the only one that really has my back (my parents too). So every song on the project was born from one or more events that took place in that dreaded 2 week period.
4. Given that ‘Body, Soul & Spirit’ also delves into themes of adversity and healing, in a world grappling with Mental Health challenges, do you aim for listeners to discover solace or a sense of understanding through the emotions and experiences conveyed in this EP? How do you envision your music contributing to the dialogue around mental health and providing comfort to your audience?
[JOEBOY]: The world is a really crazy place and it’s really tough to have to deal with the pressure and expectation that comes with living on a daily basis so it’s almost crazy to expect anyone to always be good and positive. The fact is we all have bad times, times where we are not ourselves and need help. I want my audience to know that they aren’t alone. No matter what they are going through, there will always be someone or something there for them. Whether it’s friends, family, God, or my music.
5. Your journey to global recognition involved collaborating with other creatives. Can you share your experience touching on working with the likes of Mr Eazi on this EP.
[JOEBOY]: Mr. Eazi was actually on my first EP in 2019. There are no features on this new project but yeah collaborations are essential. Aside from being able to tap into the audience of other artists, it is a great way to really expand your sound and creative mind by interacting with other creatives. It’s usually a fun experience, most times.
6. On the flip side, could you discuss a collaboration that presented creative challenges or difficulties? How did you navigate those obstacles and what did you learn from that experience?
[JOEBOY]: Yeah unfortunately, trying to collaborate isn’t always the best experience especially when you are trying to work with an artist that you respect and they aren’t bringing the energy you expect but yeah it’s all a part of the experience I guess. I win some, you lose some.
7. The artwork for ‘Body, Soul & Spirit’ is striking. What inspired the visual concept behind the EP cover? How does the artwork tie into the themes and emotions explored within the EP?
[JOEBOY]: The EP cover was shot and designed by @lumigraphy. I love it because it’s simple yet says a lot. The cover shows exactly how I felt and my mindspace while creating the project. I was alone, even when I was around people, I still felt alone and the expectation and attention was still very much on me even while I was trying to battle through this period where I wasn’t feeling up to it.
8. Reflecting on your entire discography, how do you see ‘Body, Soul & Spirit’ fitting into the narrative of your musical journey, and what new aspects of yourself have you discovered through this EP?
[JOEBOY]: ‘Body, Soul & Spirit’ is actually a very significant project as it marked a major change I am about to make. It’s a bittersweet feeling but as with everything in life, we must embrace change and there’s a lot of change coming after this project.
9. Given your immense fanbase and the importance of maintaining their loyalty, how do you nurture and sustain your relationship with your audience to ensure they stay connected and engaged with your brand?
[JOEBOY]: I love looking for opportunities to get really close to my fans which is why I am throwing a party this December in Lagos rather than a concert. I just want to party with my fans and celebrate a long hard year.
10. Looking ahead, what artistic or personal aspirations do you hope to explore in your future projects, and how do you envision your music evolving while staying true to your unique journey and experiences?
[JOEBOY]: My artistic goal and aspiration is to evolve, opening myself to new challenges and exploring other areas of interest. Some areas I’m looking to explore include acting and fashion. I was at the Paris Fashion Week earlier this year and I was truly truly inspired and can’t wait to explore that area. I have also really had a thing for acting and if you look through some of my music videos, you would see that I did a little bit of acting, videos like Duffle Bag and contour where I played different characters. Watch out, you just might see me in some of your favorite blockbuster movies moving forward.
Featured Image Source(s): Supplied
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