Joeboy
Nigerian Afro-pop artist Joeboy rose to international success with his mix of dreamy romantic pop and youthful R&B swagger. His 2019 breakout single "Baby" put him on the map, as did a feature on CKay's global smash "Love Nwatiti (Ah Ah Ah)," which arrived ahead of his 2021 debut album, Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic. Joeboy cemented his star status later that year with the chart-topping "Sip (Alcohol)," which also became a hit in the U.K. By the time he released his 2023 follow-up, Body & Soul, he'd notched additional U.K. hits with "Contour" and the Top Ten title track while also collaborating with artists like Oxlade, Ludacris, and later that year, Michaël Brun.
Born May 21, 1997, and raised in Lagos, Joeboy (aka Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa) immersed himself in music from a young age, taking in hip-hop, trap, R&B, rock, and pop from around the world. He received his first big break when his cover of Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" found traction on social media sites, capturing the attention of Banku pioneer Mr. Eazi. Signing to Eazi's emPawa Africa project -- which was started to provide support for up-and-coming African artists -- Joeboy delivered his first single, "Fààjí," in 2018. The following year, he achieved breakout success with "Baby," a buoyant and glowing single that notched millions of streams across the Internet and positioned him as one of Nigeria's biggest rising stars. That same year, he collected "Baby," the follow-up single "Beginning," and a string of other tracks for the EP Love & Light. He also won Best Artiste in African Pop at the All Africa Music Awards and was nominated for several Headies and City People Music Awards.
In early 2020, Joeboy and Ghanaian singer Kuami Eugene were featured on a remix of CKay's song "Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)" which became an international smash, topping several charts in Europe. He also took part in another high-profile collaboration, appearing alongside Mr. Eazi on DJ Neptune's "Nobody." Meanwhile, his own track, "Lonely," set the tone for what would become his debut album. Released in February 2021, Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic was a precisely crafted collection of pop and Afrobeat that fused introspection with romance. The album's modest success was practically eclipsed by another single he released later that year. "Sip (Alcohol)" became Joeboy's first Nigerian number one and made it two number two in the U.K. Over the next year, he followed with a barrage of singles including "Contour" and "Body & Soul," the latter of which was another Top Ten U.K. hit and the title track from his next album. Body & Soul was released in May 2023 and featured contributions from Nigerian luminaries like CKay and Oxlade as well as a guest spot from American rapper Ludacris. Joeboy continued to experiment outside his usual circle, working with Haitian DJ Michaël Brun on "Game Over."
© Rich Wilson & Timothy Monger /TiVo
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love nwantiti (ah ah ah) [feat. Joeboy & Kuami Eugene] [Remix]
Afrobeat - Released by Chocolate City Music on 13 feb. 2020
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Sip (Alcohol)
Wereldmuziek - Released by emPawa Africa Limited on 24 sep. 2021
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Body, Soul & Spirit
Afrobeat - Released by emPawa Africa Limited on 17 nov. 2023
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Spiritual Gbedu - A COLORS SHOW
Soul - Released by COLORSxSTUDIOS on 11 jul. 2022
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Contour (Acoustic)
Afrobeat - Released by emPawa Africa Limited on 3 nov. 2022
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Adenuga x Concerning
Divers - Released by Warner Music Africa on 17 apr. 2024
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Loner (Alone)
Alternative en Indie - Released by Chan Empire on 20 mrt. 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic
Wereldmuziek - Released by Banku Music Under Exclusive License to emPawa Africa Limited on 4 feb. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Slow Burner
Wereldmuziek - Released by Gaaga Entertainment Limited on 25 aug. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Call
Wereldmuziek - Released by Banku Music Under Exclusive License to emPawa Africa Limited on 10 apr. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic (Deluxe)
Wereldmuziek - Released by emPawa Africa Limited on 4 feb. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo