Nigerian singer Joeboy is making waves with a call to action for his fellow Afrobeats artists. In a recent appearance on The Big Convo podcast, the 26-year-old musician urged his colleagues to prioritize supporting award shows on the African continent.
Joeboy, whose real name is Joseph Akinfenwa Donus, acknowledged the prestigious nature of the Grammy Awards but argued against viewing them as the ultimate recognition for African artists.
“The Grammys are a great award, but it’s still an American award,” Joeboy stated. “We, as Africans, need to be proud of our own identities and empower the institutions we have here.“
He highlighted a key issue: the perception of the Grammys as the pinnacle of achievement, overshadowing African award shows.
“Why don’t we show up for our awards and plan them properly?” Joeboy questioned. “The glitz and glamour of these award shows depend on artist participation. Let’s invest in building our own infrastructure and institutions.“
Joeboy emphasized the importance of fostering a thriving African music scene, even suggesting a long-term perspective. “We’ll all come back to Africa eventually,” he said. “Let’s ensure our industry here is flourishing.“