Joseph Akinwale (born 21 May 1997), known professionally as Joeboy, is a Nigerian prince, singer and songwriter, he is signed to Warner Music Africa in partnership with his record label Young Legend.[1] He was formerly signed by Mr Eazi under emPawa Africa, where he was discovered in 2017, through the emPawa Africa talent incubation program.[2] His musical genres are Afro-pop and R&B.

Joeboy
Joeboy
Background information
Birth nameJoseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus
Born (1997-05-21) 21 May 1997 (age 27)
Lagos State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2017–present
Labels
  • Young Legend
  • WMA
Websitejoeboyofficial.com

Early life and career

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Joeboy began his music career in 2017 with a viral cover of Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You". The cover marked his transition from rapping to singing, a decision encouraged by a friend. It caught the attention of Nigerian artist and entrepreneur Mr Eazi, who discovered Joeboy on Instagram and invited him to join the emPawa Africa initiative, a program designed to support emerging African artists by providing them with resources to grow their careers.[3]

The Mr Eazi-assisted track "Fààjí" was released on 26 October 2018; Joeboy used his portion of the grant he received from emPawa100 to shoot a video for the song.[4][2]

In early 2019, Joeboy recorded his hit single "Baby" after receiving a beat created by Dëra the Boy and sent to him by producer BeatsbyKO. He wrote and recorded the song in just 45 minutes, trying out several choruses before finalizing the hook. When Mr Eazi heard the track, he shared it on social media, building anticipation ahead of its release on 1 March 2019. With support from emPawa Africa, Joeboy utilized a cost-effective visualizer to promote "Baby," which played a crucial role in the song's viral success. He credited the initiative with equipping him to effectively market his music and maintain his independence.[5] "Baby" garnered 20 million streams across YouTube and Spotify in 2019.[6] The visualizer music video for "Baby" surpassed 31 million views on YouTube.[7] Joeboy released the Killertunes-produced track "Beginning" on 15 August 2019, where its accompanying visualizer music video accumulated 23 million views on YouTube. In the video, he finds himself developing feelings for a friend whose advances he had initially dismissed.[8] Followed by this, he released his debut extended play Love & Light in November 2019 by emPawa Africa.[9] It was supported by the singles "Baby" and "Beginning".[10] The EP also contains the Mayorkun-assisted track "Don't Call Me" and "All for You".[11]

Joeboy won Best Artiste in African Pop at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards, and Best Pop at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.[12][13] He was nominated for multiple City People Entertainment Awards and The Headies.[14][15] Joeboy released the Dera-produced track "Call" on 10 April 2020.[16] Described as a "catchy love song" by OkayAfrica , "Call" is the lead single from his upcoming debut studio album. The TG Omori-directed video for the single features dystopian sci-fi themes.[17]

In January 2021, Joeboy announced his debut album, Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic, which was released in February 2021 to moderate commercial success.[18]

On 19 May 2023, he released his sophomore studio album, Body & Soul, preceded by the four singles "Sip (Alcohol)", "Contour", "Body & Soul", and "Duffel Bag".[19]

On the 3rd of November 2023, he released the earlier previewed sophomore single, Only God Save Me.

He released his EP ‘Body Soul and Spirit’ With the earlier lead single ‘Only God can save me’

On the 2nd of February 2024, Joeboy announced the launch of his record label "Young Legend".[20]

On 16 February 2024, he released a hit single ‘Osadebe’ which had nationwide recognition.

Controversy

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Singer, Bukola Elemide, also known as Asa, issued a copyright infringement notice to Akinfenwa in October 2022, over his recently-released song, "Contour", over claims that the composition of the song was originally recorded by her and the producer of the song "Tempoe", earlier in September 2020 during a recording session.[21] Asa, through her legal counsel made a notice to Joeboy via mail, which was shared by Joeboy on his Instagram story on 3 October 2022, revealed that she demanded the sum of N300 million and gave a 24-hour ultimatum for the song to be removed from all digital streaming platforms. Through her management, Asa also asked for a 60 percent publishing split on the song, and a written apology, as seen in the notice.[22]

Discography

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Album

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List of albums
Title Album details
Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic[18]
  • Released: 3 February 2022
  • Label: Banku Music / emPawa Africa
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
Body & Soul[23]
  • Released: 19 May 2023
  • Label: Banku Music / emPawa Africa
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
List of extended plays
Title EP details
Love & Light[2]
  • Released: 8 November 2019
  • Label: Banku Music / emPawa Africa
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
Apple Music Home Session: Joeboy[A][24]
  • Released: 1 February 2023
  • Label: Banku Music / emPawa Africa
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

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As lead artist

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List of singles, showing title and year released with selected chart positions
Title Year Chart positions Certifications Album
NG
[25]
UK
[26]
"Realest"
(featuring Triple N)
2017 Non-album singles
"Fire"
(featuring King Promise and GuiltyBeatz)
2018
"Fààjí"
(featuring Mr Eazi)
"Gbese"
(featuring Oxlade and DJ Voyst)
2019
"Baby" Love & Light
"Beginning"
"Don't Call Me Back"[6](featuring Mayorkun)
"Blessings"
"All for You"
"Call" 2020 Non-album single
"Lonely" Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic
"Empty My Pocket"[27]
(with Lakizo Entertainment)
2021 Non-album singles
"Felicitation"
(with DJ Voyst)
"Sip (Alcohol)" 1 2 Body & Soul
"Cubana" 2022 17 Non-album singles
"Spiritual Gbedu"
"Contour" 17 Body & Soul
"Likkle Rikkim" Non-album single
"Body & Soul" 2023 8 9 Body & Soul
"Duffel Bag" 10
"Game Over"
(with Michaël Brun)
Non-album single
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List of singles, showing title and year released with selected chart positions
Title Year Chart positions Certifications Album
NG
[30]
AUS
[31]
FRA
[32]
GER
[33]
NLD
[34]
NOR
[35]
NZ
[36]
SWE
[37]
SWI
[38]
UK
[39]
US
[40]
"No D"
(DJ Voyst featuring Joeboy and Brainee)
2018 Non-album singles
"Nobody"
(DJ Neptune featuring Joeboy and Mr Eazi
2020
"Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)"
(CKay featuring Joeboy and Kuami Eugene)
2020 14 8 1 6 1 1 2 4 1 3 29
"Kele"[45]
(Laycon featuring Joeboy)
2021 ...Shall We Begin...
"Yawa No Dey End"
(Majeeed with Joeboy)
2022 41 Non-album singles
"Vanilla Bottega"
(Lil Kesh featuring Joeboy)
"Fancy Water"
(Lil Kesh featuring Joeboy)
"Designer"
(Major Lazer and Major League Djz featuring Joeboy)
2023

Awards and nominations

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Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
2019 The Headies Next Rated Himself Nominated [15]
Best Pop Single "Baby" Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
Viewer's Choice "Beginning" Nominated
All Africa Music Awards Best Artiste in African Pop Himself Won [12]
City People Music Awards Popular Song of the Year "Baby" Nominated [14]
Most Promising Act of the Year Himself Nominated
Best New Act of the Year Nominated
Revelation of the Year Nominated
2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival Best New MVP Himself Nominated [13]
Best Pop Won
Listeners' Choice "Beginning" Nominated
Song of the Year "Baby" Nominated

Notes

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  1. ^ Apple Exclusive

References

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  1. ^ "Joeboy and His Young Legend Label Sign Deak with Warner Music". Warner Music Group (Press release). 2 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Neophytou, Nadia (1 November 2019). "Why Joeboy, With Help From Mr Eazi, is Nigeria's Next Big Thing". Billboard. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  3. ^ Alake, Motolani (25 July 2019). "On Joeboy's mind are principles [Pulse Feature]". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Fààjí (feat. Mr Eazi) - Single by Joeboy". Apple Music. 26 October 2018. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Interview: Joeboy On Blowing Up and His New 'Love & Light' EP". OkayAfrica. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  6. ^ a b Leight, Elias (24 October 2019). "Joeboy Reckons With Heartbreak on 'Don't Call Me Back'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  7. ^ Tambini, Kam (24 October 2019). "Interview: Joeboy On Blowing Up and His New 'Love & Light' EP". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  8. ^ Ray, Civonne (21 August 2019). "Nigeria's newest Afrobeats star, Joeboy's new single "Beginning"". Vashtie. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  9. ^ James Keith (17 January 2019). "Premiere: Nigeria's Next Star Joeboy Revisits Recent 'Love & Light' EP For "All For You"". Complex. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  10. ^ Alake, Motolani (8 November 2019). "Joeboy sparks conversation with 'Love and Light' [EP Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  11. ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (14 November 2019). "Is Joeboy All For You? – "Love & Light" EP Review". NotJustOk. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Burna Boy, Nasty C, Stonebwoy, Nadia Nakai & More Win 2019 AFRIMA Awards". OkayAfrica. 24 November 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  13. ^ a b Durosomo, Damola (13 January 2020). "Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Rema, Teni & More Win Big at 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  14. ^ a b "#CityPeopleMusicAwards: Nominees List Out". City People Magazine. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  15. ^ a b Bada, Gbenga (20 October 2019). "Headies 2019: Here are all the winners at the 13th edition of music award". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  16. ^ "Call - Single by Joeboy". Apple Music. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  17. ^ Durosomo, Damola (10 April 2020). "Watch the Music Video for Joeboy's New Single 'Call'". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  18. ^ a b Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (18 January 2021). "Joeboy Announces Debut Album, Shares New 'Lonely' Video: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  19. ^ Falola, Ifeoluwa (25 April 2023). "Interview: Joeboy Wants to Take on the World". Okayplayer. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  20. ^ "Joeboy Has A New Record Label!". BellaNaija. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  21. ^ Edeme, Victoria (4 October 2022). "Asa slams N300m copyright infringement suit on Joeboy". Punch Newspapers.
  22. ^ Usaini, Nebianet (4 October 2022). "Asa Demands N300m For Copyright Infringement". Channels Television.
  23. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (7 April 2023). "Joeboy drops new exciting single 'Duffel Bag', announces date for sophomore album 'Body & Soul'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  24. ^ "Apple Music Home Session: Joeboy by Joeboy on Apple Music". Apple Inc. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  25. ^ "Turntable Top 50 Chart". TurnTable charts & TurnTable magazine.
  26. ^ "Joeboy | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  27. ^ Mike, Steven. "Joeboy Empty My Pocket". RetroNaija. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  28. ^ Enos, Morgan (30 November 2021). "Joeboy Sets The Record Straight On His Viral Sensation "Sip (Alcohol)," Discusses His Origins & Future: "My Best Songs Are Ahead Of Me"". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  29. ^ Alonge, Dom (3 February 2023). "The Young Legend; Joeboy's groundbreaking story so far". The 49th Street. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  30. ^ "Turntable Top 50 Chart". TurnTable charts & TurnTable magazine. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  31. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  32. ^ "Top Singles (Week 39, 2021)". SNEP. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  33. ^ "Discographie CKay". offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  34. ^ "CKay discography". lescharts.com. Retrieved 25 September 2021.[permanent dead link]
  35. ^ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2021-39". VG-lista. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  36. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  37. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 39". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  38. ^ "CKay discography". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  39. ^ "CKay | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  40. ^ "The Hot 100 Chart: January 15, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  41. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums for week of 15 November 2021". Australian Recording Industry Association. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  42. ^ "British certifications – CKay – Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  43. ^ "American certifications – CKay – Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  44. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – CKay – Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  45. ^ Kele, 30 April 2021, retrieved 23 October 2021

[1]

  1. ^ Joeboy announces exit from eMpawa music records launches own label Joeboy announced exit from empawa music record launches own label (9 May 2024)