Joeboy

Nigerian Singer (born 1997) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Joeboy

Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus (born 21 May 1997), known professionally as Joeboy, is a Nigerian 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.

Quick Facts Background information, Birth name ...
Joeboy
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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
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Early life and career

Summarize
Perspective

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

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

Album

More information Title, Album details ...
List of studio albums
Title Album details
Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic[18]
  • Released: 3 February 2022
  • Label: Banku Music, emPawa Africa
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
Body & Soul[23]
  • Released: 19 May 2023
  • Label: Banku Music, emPawa Africa
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
Viva Lavida[24]
  • Released: 28 March 2025
  • Label: Young Legend, Warner Music Africa
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
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EPs

More information Title, EP details ...
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][25]
  • Released: 1 February 2023
  • Label: Banku Music / emPawa Africa
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
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Singles

As lead artist

More information Title, Year ...
List of singles, showing title and year released with selected chart positions
Title Year Chart positions Certifications Album
NG
[26]
UK
[27]
"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"[28]
(with Lakizo Entertainment)
2021 Non-album singles
"Felicitation"
(with DJ Voyst)
"Sip (Alcohol)" 12 Body & Soul
"Cubana" 2022 17 Non-album singles
"Spiritual Gbedu"
"Contour" 17 Body & Soul
"Likkle Rikkim" Non-album single
"Body & Soul" 2023 89 Body & Soul
"Duffel Bag" 10
"Game Over"
(with Michaël Brun)
Non-album single
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More information Title, Year ...
List of singles, showing title and year released with selected chart positions
Title Year Chart positions Certifications Album
NG
[31]
AUS
[32]
FRA
[33]
GER
[34]
NLD
[35]
NOR
[36]
NZ
[37]
SWE
[38]
SWI
[39]
UK
[40]
US
[41]
"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 1481611241329
"Kele"[46]
(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
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Awards and nominations

More information Year, Event ...
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
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Notes

  1. Apple Exclusive

References

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