Nigerian Pop Act Joeboy Exits emPawa After Five Years, To Set Up His Own Label As Part Of Global Deal

After a partnership spanning five years, Nigerian Afrobeats act Joeboy has parted ways with Mr. Eazi’s emPawa Africa initiative. This comes on the backdrop of Joeboy signing a dual deal with multinational entertainment group, Warner Music Group.

This move sees Joeboy join an elite collective of global superstars, including Ed Sheeran and Cardi B, as well as compatriots Burna Boy and Ckay.

The deal would also herald Joeboy’s entertainment venture, Young Legend, geared towards casting a spotlight on the next generation of African talents. Joeboy will serve as the label’s CEO, while entertainment executive Deola Jaiyesimi will serve as the Head of Label.

The Young Legend label will work conjunctively with Warner Music Africa to globally distribute the former’s artistes’ music.

Under emPawa, Joeboy released two albums – 2021’s Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic and 2023’s Body & Soul, as well as two EPs – 2019’s Love & Light and 2023’s Body, Soul & Spirit. These projects spawned multiple hit singles and features, which have garnered more than two billion views across major digital streaming platforms. Notable visual strides include the distinctive visualisers for Joeboy’s 2019 hit singles, ‘Baby’ and ‘Beginning’, which have amassed 73 and 51 million YouTube views respectively. The music video for his 2021 hit single, ‘Sip (Alcohol)’, has garnered 123 million YouTube views, standing as his biggest video yet.

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