JOEBOY: MUSIC, CREATION AND CONSITENCY
Nigerian Afropop star Joeboy, whose real name is Joseph Akinwale, is opening up about his creative process and the journey that led him to become a household name. In a recent interview at the premiere of YouTube’s Up Close With series in Lagos, Joeboy revealed the diverse sources of inspiration for his music, including his dreams!
During a fireside chat with Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, the Communication and Public Relations Manager, West Africa, Google, Joeboy delved into his artistic evolution. He shared the stories behind his biggest hits, like “Fààjí,” “Baby,” and “Sip,” exploring how his sound has matured over the years.
Looking back on his career that began in 2019 under Mr Eazi’s Empawa label, Joeboy admits, “I never imagined it to be this big.” He describes his journey as “a way of life” filled with learning and challenges. “But so far, it’s been a beautiful journey,” he adds.
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One of the perks of being a superstar, according to Joeboy, is the opportunity to travel. “I love to visit different places,” he says, revealing his passion for exploration. “If I wasn’t creating music, I would probably be a travel blogger!”
But music is where his heart lies. “The fact that I can create something from my mind and it touches the lives of many means a lot,” Joeboy shares. He finds immense satisfaction in connecting with fans through his music.
Speaking about his participation in YouTube’s 2022 Foundry Programme, Joeboy highlights the program’s impact. “It was an eye-opening experience,” he says. “I learned the importance of content creation. Short videos truly resonate with my audience.” Interestingly, his breakthrough hit, “Fààjí,” gained massive popularity thanks to YouTube.
While Joeboy acknowledges the success of all his songs, he has a special place in his heart for “Contour.” “It’s one song that I will always be proud of,” he declares. “Even if Michael Jackson came back to life and said it wasn’t good, I’d stand by it!”
Joeboy’s passion extends beyond his own music. He’s driven to support other aspiring artists. Discussing his label, Young Legend, he explains the inspiration behind the name. “A friend called me a ‘young legend’ in 2019, and it stuck,” he shares. “My dream has always been to create a platform to empower artists like myself, giving them the chance to shine globally. I know how hard it is to break through – I needed support to get here. Being where I am is because people believed in me.”
