Joeboy

Nigerian Afro-pop artist Joeboy first captured global attention through a distinctive blend of dreamy romantic pop and youthful R&B swagger. The 2019 single “Baby” launched his profile, while his guest spot on CKay’s worldwide hit “Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)” paved the way for the arrival of his debut album, Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic, in 2021. Later that year he solidified his stature when “Sip (Alcohol)” reached the top of the Nigerian charts and also registered strongly in the U.K. By the May 2023 release of his sophomore effort, Body & Soul, he had added further U.K. successes with “Contour” and the Top Ten title track, and had worked alongside Oxlade, Ludacris, and, toward the end of the year, Haitian DJ Michaël Brun.

Born Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa on May 21, 1997, and raised in Lagos, Joeboy absorbed a wide range of sounds from an early age, drawing on international hip-hop, trap, R&B, rock, and pop. His first major opportunity came after a cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” gained traction on social platforms and caught the ear of Banku pioneer Mr. Eazi. Signed to Eazi’s emPawa Africa initiative, which supports emerging African talent, Joeboy issued his debut single, “Fààjí,” in 2018. The following year “Baby” delivered breakthrough momentum, accumulating millions of streams and establishing him among Nigeria’s foremost rising acts. He gathered “Baby,” the follow-up “Beginning,” and additional songs on the EP Love & Light, earned Best Artiste in African Pop at the All Africa Music Awards, and received multiple nominations at the Headies and City People Music Awards.

In early 2020 Joeboy joined Ghanaian singer Kuami Eugene on a remix of CKay’s “Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)” that topped several European charts. He also appeared with Mr. Eazi on DJ Neptune’s “Nobody.” His own release “Lonely” signaled the direction of his first full-length project. Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic arrived in February 2021, a meticulously assembled set of pop and Afrobeat that balanced introspection and romance. Its impact was soon surpassed by the later single “Sip (Alcohol),” Joeboy’s first Nigerian number one, which also peaked at number two in the U.K. Over the ensuing months he issued a run of tracks including “Contour” and “Body & Soul,” the latter another U.K. Top Ten entry that served as the title song for his next album. Body & Soul surfaced in May 2023 and included appearances by CKay, Oxlade, and American rapper Ludacris. Joeboy further broadened his reach by teaming with Michaël Brun on “Game Over.”