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. He was formerly signed by Mr Eazi under emPawa Africa, where he was discovered in 2017, through the emPawa Africa talent incubation program.
Career 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.
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.
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. "Baby" garnered 20 million streams across YouTube and Spotify in 2019. The visualizer music video for "Baby" surpassed 31 million views on YouTube. 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. Followed by this, he released his debut extended play Love & Light in November 2019 by emPawa Africa. It was supported by the singles "Baby" and "Beginning". The EP also contains the Mayorkun-assisted track "Don't Call Me" and "All for You".
Joeboy won Best Artiste in African Pop at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards, and Best Pop at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival. He was nominated for multiple City People Entertainment Awards and The Headies. Joeboy released the Dera-produced track "Call" on 10 April 2020. 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.
In January 2021, Joeboy announced his debut album, Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic, which was released in February 2021 to moderate commercial success.
On 19 May 2023, Joeboy released his sophomore studio album, Body & Soul, preceded by the four singles "Sip (Alcohol)", "Contour", "Body & Soul", and "Duffel Bag".
On 2 February 2024, Joeboy announced the launch of his record label "Young Legend".
Copyright infringement accusation Singer Asa issued a copyright infringement notice to Joeboy in October 2022, over his 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. 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. The notice 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.
Discography Album + List of studio albums Title Album details Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic Released: 3 February 2022 Label: Banku Music, emPawa Africa Formats: CD, digital download, streaming Body & Soul Released: 19 May 2023 Label: Banku Music, emPawa Africa Formats: CD, digital download, streaming Viva Lavida Released: 28 March 2025 Label: Young Legend, Warner Music Africa Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
EPs + List of extended plays Title EP details Love & Light Released: 8 November 2019 Label: Banku Music / emPawa Africa Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming Apple Music Home Session: Joeboy Released: 1 February 2023 Label: Banku Music / emPawa Africa Formats: Digital download, streaming Body, Soul & Spirit Released: 17 November 2023 Label: emPawa Africa Formats: Digital download, streaming
Singles As lead artist + List of singles, showing title and year released with selected chart positions TitleYear Chart positions Certifications Album NG UK "Realest"(featuring Triple N)2017 — — rowspan="4" "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"(featuring Mayorkun) — — "Blessings" — — "All for You" — — "Call" 2020 — — "Lonely" — — Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic "Empty My Pocket"(with Lakizo Entertainment) 2021 — — rowspan="2" "Felicitation"(with DJ Voyst) — — "Sip (Alcohol)" 1 2 TCSN: 3× Platinum BPI: Silver Body & Soul "Cubana" 2022 — 17 rowspan="2" "Spiritual Gbedu" — — "Contour" — 17 Body & Soul "Likkle Rikkim" — — "Body & Soul" 2023 8 9 TCSN: Platinum Body & Soul "Duffel Bag" — 10 "Game Over"(with Michaël Brun) — —
As featured artist + List of singles, showing title and year released with selected chart positions Title Year Chart positions Certifications Album NG AUS FRA GER NLD NOR NZ SWE SWI UK US"No D"2018 — — — — — — — — — — — rowspan=3 "Nobody"2020 — — — — — — — — — — — "Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)"2020 14 8 1 6 1 1 2 4 1 3 29 ARIA: Gold BPI: Platinum RIAA: Gold RMNZ: Gold"Kele"2021 — — — — — — — — — — —...Shall We Begin..."Yawa No Dey End" 2022 41 — — — — — — — — — — rowspan="4" "Vanilla Bottega" — — — — — — — — — — — "Fancy Water" — — — — — — — — — — — "Designer" 2023 — — — — — — — — — — —
Awards and nominations +YearEventPrizeRecipientResultRef2019The HeadiesNext RatedHimselfBest Pop Single"Baby"Song of the YearViewer's Choice"Beginning"All Africa Music AwardsBest Artiste in African PopHimselfCity People Music AwardsPopular Song of the Year"Baby"Most Promising Act of the YearHimselfBest New Act of the YearRevelation of the Year2020Soundcity MVP Awards FestivalBest New MVPHimselfBest PopListeners' Choice"Beginning"Song of the Year"Baby"
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References
Joeboy announces exit from eMpawa music records launches own label Joeboy announced exit from empawa music record launches own label (9 May 2024)