Nigeria’s Joeboy Headlines Easter Edition Of African Voices

Afro-pop star Joeboy takes the centre stage this week as he features on the Easter edition of African Voices, the Globacom-sponsored magazine programme on Cable News Network (CNN).

In the upcoming episode, the Nigeria-born singer sits down with show anchor Larry Madowo in Lagos, where he shares the story of his journey from a young university student with big dreams to becoming one of Afrobeats’ most recognised voices.

The programme will air on Saturday at 7.30 a.m., with several repeat broadcasts scheduled across the weekend and into the following week: 11 a.m. on Saturday; on Sunday at 3.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. This continues on Monday at 3 a.m. and 5.45 p.m, and on Tuesday at 5.45 p.m. The schedule will be repeated next week until 3 a.m. on Monday.

Long before global attention, Joeboy, born Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus, started experimenting with music and sharing covers online. His 2017 cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” marked a turning point, helping him transition fully into singing and setting the stage for what was to come.

That moment soon opened new doors, including a connection with Mr Eazi, who brought him into the emPawa Africa talent programme. This provided support and exposure for his music to reach a wider audience, laying the foundation for his professional career.

The alliance also birthed “Fààjí,” which featured Mr Eazi in 2018, after which he was signed to Warner Music Africa. Under this partnership, Joeboy released his hit single “Baby” in 2019, followed by “Beginning,” which has 23 million YouTube views. He also released “Love & Light” the same year and featured Mayorkun in the tracks “Don’t Call Me” and “All for You”

Since then, the 29-year-old has released two albums, “Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic” in February 2021 and “Body & Soul” in 2023, and has earned recognition across the continent, including awards for his contributions to African pop music. He won Best Artiste in African Pop at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and Best Pop at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.