Nigerian singer Joeboy opens up about the pivotal moments in his life that fueled his determination to become a successful musician. The Afrobeats sensation attributes part of his journey to briefly working at a sachet water factory during a university strike, a period that profoundly impacted his career trajectory.
During the latest episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast, Joeboy recounted his struggles during a university strike that lasted three months. Faced with the challenge of finding a job in Lagos, he underwent a three-month job search without success.
Recalling his experiences, Joeboy shared, “There was even a time I worked in a pure water factory as a marketer. At that point, I was like, ‘I’m looking so hard for a job and I can’t find any. Is this how I’m going to end up when I finish school?’ So that was also a trigger. I told myself, ‘You really have to make sure you make it in the music industry.’”
The singer, who studied Human Resources and Personal Management, expressed concerns about the job market during his undergraduate days. The struggles he faced during this period served as a catalyst for his determination to make a mark in the music industry.
Joeboy described his life as a “miracle” and revealed that some individuals had advised against his signing to Empawa, his former record label. Despite the skepticism, he successfully signed with Empawa, and his music career skyrocketed, exceeding expectations.
Reflecting on his journey, Joeboy emphasized that even his parents didn’t anticipate his career choice in music. He acknowledged the role of Empawa and credited Mr Eazi, his former record label boss, for believing in him.
Now at the helm of his own record label, Young Legend, Joeboy affirms having “the best label deal in Afrobeats history in Nigeria.”