INTERVIEW: JOEBOY
Joeboy, the 26-year-old Nigerian singer-songwriter who has generated more than two billion streams in the last five years, since being discovered by Mr Eazi. Recently he launched Young Legend, his own record label dedicated to giving a platform to the next generation of stars.
Tirade World sat with him to discuss his new label, time in London, music and his venture into acting.
Interview: Vicky Osinlaru
Hi, how are you today?
I’m tired, I’ve had such a long day, Amber (PR) been working my socks off !!
How has your week been so far, what have you been up to in London?
I've been doing media runs, going to the studio sessions, meetings and Uber rides, hahaha.
What do you like about London ?
The fact that its cold, I know the weather can be very unpredictable in London, but where I'm from Lagos, Nigeria its always hot and I'm just sick of it but yeah, it's cold here and it's just nice to be away from home for a bit.
I heard that you lived in a big house growing up, with your siblings and your cousins, how was that ?
It was definitely very very fun, looking back I use to think it was a lot, cause I have so many memories and experiences that I witnessed. I got to play a lot of games which was also fun and we had about 10 dogs. As well as that I come from a music loving family, so I think that kind of influenced me subconsciously to come on this path that I am.
Apart from being raised in a big household, how was your experience being brought up in Nigeria?
Do you want the bad or ugly haha! Ok to be honest I don't think I'll have it any other way because it actually shaped me to become who I am today one way or the other and for the most parts it was a lovely experience. However, there were moments I didn't really like my existence, I'll be honest but thankfully looking back on that it was just a moment to make me stronger and a better person. It's a very long story so I wouldn't know where to start. In three words I would just say my teenage years was very crazy at that point of time. Big shout out to my parents and elder siblings that guided me through that Journey.
Before you took your music career seriously, what were the things you were doing before ?
I was pretty much just a geek, I was just reading my books and playing video games to be honest, and I was a quiet Kid so I wouldn't be outside a lot. I was the least likely person anyone would see as someone who is going to be a superstar generally, people wouldn't point at me and say this person is going to be a superstar. I was just in my own corner reading my books, I use read books a lot. In fact, I still read books. I am very chilled and laid back and to be honest I think it's the kind of lifestyle that I’m in that’s making me more outgoing cause if I wasn't doing music or entertainment, I wouldn't have a social media account.
And a big football fan, however I hear you support Man United, why that team?
Ah, they are best club in the world, we’re having a tough time right now but it's going to be fine soon, we will beat teams like Arsenal. Being in a relationship with Man U is tough, it's tough, it is so tough! Yes we are in a bad spot, right now but it's like being true to somebody you're in a relationship with, it's not always going to be fun, sometimes you just have to weather the storm and just hang tight - till things are balanced again! I know that one day, it might be tomorrow, or next week, or next year but Man U is going to get back to their glory days.
When you received the news in 2017 that you were going to be apart of Mr Eazi Music Label called Empwa Africa, what were you doing ?
It actually wasn't 2017, but I met and connected with Eazi in 2017. When I posted a cover of Ed Sheran ‘Shape of you’ that was one of the first covers I made and posted on social media, so it kind of went Viral and I had a friend from Finland and she told me, that she was going to send my video to a couple of artist. I told her don't bother, I've sent it to everybody and I didn't get any response, she agreed and said no problem. However although she’d made me believe that she wasn't going to do anything, the next day I got a call from one of my friends, I remember I was revising for exams then and I got a call from my friend, and he was like ‘Yo Mr Eazi just commented on your video’ I thought it was a prank because back then we would prank each other a lot. My friend told me to check my IG then I went to check, and I saw Mr Eazi comment and that's basically how it started for me, I saw he sent me a message.
Just last month you started a new chapter by launching your own record label called Young Legend with Warner Music - Congratulations! - What kind of new talents are you looking for?
For me, someone that brings in something different in the industry. The best way that can work is if the person is unapologetically themselves. There's somebody we’ve found that were seeing in a couple of months. This has been a process and I'm finally happy the label is coming to fusion, it's been a long time trying to make this happen, so the that fact that it's coming out it is wonderful for me.
”It just makes me realise and enforces my idea that anything is possible, when I was making the song ‘Sip’ I never thought or expected the song to be a hit and as big as it is. I was just happy to be making music. A thing that I have come to hold on to, is that I should keep consistently putting out music that I love and that gravitates towards me, just focus on my creation and keep pushing.”
In response to you’ve made over 60 songs, 2 Album and 2 EPs including the huge International hit ’Sip” which has reached over 2 billion people , what is that like?
I’ve been listening to your music for some years now and I can describe your music as beautiful, soulful, happiness and groovy. I personally love the messages you share with your fans. Who are the people that have inspired your sound of music?
It ranges from time to time so right now I'm listening to underground music, music that's not really mainstream, I can give you couple of names but I'm not sure that anybody will know who they are. I've been listening to Kamana for some time but on the mainstream side, people that really influence and inspire me are The weekend and Drake.
I also know that Michael Jackson is of huge inspiration to you, what are your top 5 Michael Jackson songs ?
Joeboy sings “All I really wanna say, they don't really care about us”. Thriller, Billie Jean, we are the world and Rock my world. Where I'm from in Lagos it was a big deal when it came to Michael Jackson, in school we would just wear uniform in primary school, but when it was your birthday, you could wear anything, you want to wear. My classmates used to rock serious Michael Jackson fits from head to toe. The trouser, the shiny shoes, the white socks and the gloves. Michael Jackson fits 100%! It was beautiful, we saw him as an angel. If I saw Michael Jackson in person that would’ve been that one person I would’ve fainted for. RIP Mike
Are there any songs you listen back to and wish you never released ?
No. No. No because, I'll say it this way- I don't think any artist wants to put out a song that they feel like people will not like. The reason why an artist is confidently putting out songs is because they believe ‘O I love this song and it means something to me, I want the world to hear this’. I understand that the expectations of people and their reaction may not always be what you expect most of the time, but that shouldn't stop you from fearlessly putting out what you like. I don’t think there's any regrets and those kinds of situations are also learning curbs, you'll learn that ok I shouldn't do it this way, I should try another angle. I don't think I've been ever forced to put out music, if I was forced then I'll be like yes, I regret it, but I've never been forced to drop a song. Being an artist, is not a day's job sometimes you win sometimes you don't win as much as you want to, but it is what it is you just have to keep going.
You recently tweeted “To my fellow creatives, we have been blessed, with the greatest gifts a human can have, the ability to CREATE, don’t let some sad and bitter individuals throw you off, you made it my guy” could you elaborate on this statement, what led to it?
Well that wasn't personally about me, I just see a lot of things online, people bashing Artists like crazy and no matter how great the music is doing or isn’t, there’s always that person that has something to say. It doesn't come from a place of constructive criticism; it comes from a place of someone just saying something. There will be a lot of people that say ‘O there's so many people that love your music, why are you focusing on that negative’ but that's just how the mind is wired sometimes. If something is wrong or negative, you want to check it out but if it’s positive your mind is used to that. If you're not mentally prepared for those kinds of situations it can throw you off. So it was just a message to reach out to anyone who is creating, because not everyone can create and you've been blessed if you can.
Recently, you dropped two singles called Adenuga featuring Qing Madi and Concerning, what do you want your fans and supporters to feel from these new songs and how was it to work with the amazing Qing Madi?
I want them to feel positive emotions and energy. I want their moods to be lightened up when they listen to the song, and I want them to feel like loving somebody great to give and receive love. Queen Madi is really talented person; I've been a fan of her music from last year and I'm happy for how well she is doing. Qing Madi is the first female artist I've worked with on my own personal song, so its really beautiful the way she came into the song, she’s an amazing musician by the way and she actually very funny.
The three short movie clips that you also did with Qing Madi- were very creative, and I believe you can act- can you see yourself acting in a movie in the future?
100% 100% Netflix for starters, Hollywood at some point in the future. I'm down for it, I don't mind, I will even take acting classes. I'm always ready to learn if I see potential in something I'll put my energy into it. It’s very cool and fascinating to embody a different character, it feels fun for me.
How was your experience on “The Colours show” performing your song Spiritual Gbedu, which got record breaking views ? (435K Views)
It was nice, really really lovely. I remember we shot it in Lagos, and I was happy I found a way of putting that song out.
Speaking of views, you recently tweeted “For Instance, your last release makes a 100 million streams, the next one makes 50 million streams, because of that they say you ‘fell off; FOOLS” What is your opinion on this and what would your advice other artist on people's negative opinions?
My opinion on that is that life in general is not all about statistics, sometimes you're up or down and on or off there's always a wave with life but as long as there’s a momentum and you're moving and your growing, that should be one of the most important things. There’s this funny standard that some people will hold an Artist or creatives too, that is very unrealistic. Not every day is a good day you know! It applies to everybody, but they just expect artists to be sharp with everything, they must do 200 million today and 400 million streams tomorrow and that's not real life, it just doesn't work that way.
There are fazes, times and seasons!
1. I'm capable of so much, there's nothing that is too far for me to reach, if I consistently put my mind to it - daily.
2. I'm really a fantastic musician. (Sometimes it takes a lot of situations to realise that. Especially when you're in a career where you may get too invested in external validation. Some artists are only as good as people say they are and that mindset is a recipe for depression.)
3. I'm a fan of the process! I'm in love with the process and I love to be totally involved with anything that's within my music.
4. I make music better when there is no pressure. Music just sounds better to me, when I'm making it for the fun of it.
In response to “What lessons have you learned about yourself, over the last few years?
Who are the artist you would you love to make a song with one day ?
I would love to collaborate with The weekend, Drake and Rihanna!
Lastly what is next for Joeboy?
Global Domination, I'm just going to say that!
I don't really like to put a particular stamp on what is next for me. As long as I'm putting in work daily, learning and being a better version of myself everyday continuously, it’s just going to compound into something really amazing, even way beyond my expectations. I'm not going to limit it, so I'll just say Global domination.