Nigerian Star Joeboy talks inspiration and growth for his new album, 'Viva Lavida'

In a world where Afrobeats and amapiano are taking over globally, Nigerian sensation Joeboy is at the forefront of the movement.

With his highly anticipated album “Viva Lavida” now out, he opens up about the creative vision behind his latest project, the inspiration that fueled its creation and what fans can expect from his most personal  work yet.

According to Joeboy, whose real name is Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus, his fans can expect amazing music that will make them dance and introspect. He expressed his pride in the album, stating that it “ticks all the boxes” in terms of message, the melody, the vibe and production.

The album's lead singles, including “Taxi Driver” and “SMH”, have already racked up an impressive six million streams and Joeboy is confident that the album will surpass expectations.

When asked about his collaboration with Nigerian rap icon Olamide on “Free of Charge”, Joeboy described the experience as “amazing”, highlighting Olamide's support for him since the beginning of his career.

 “He's somebody that has been really supportive of me from the very, very beginning,” he said.

He also touched on his approach to music since launching his label, “Young Legend”, stating that it has given him a deeper understanding of the industry and allowed for more creative freedom.

“I see it from both sides now, the executive side and the creative side,” Joeboy explained. 

As the artist shares “Viva Lavida” with the world, he is eager to showcase his growth as an artist. With over 2 billion global streams under his belt, Joeboy is redefining afrobeats on his own terms.

The album promises to be a game-changer, and fans can expect Joeboy to continue pushing boundaries in the music industry. One surprise fans can look forward to is Joeboy's exploration of new sounds, particularly in the song “Magdalene”, which he describes as different from his usual sound.

Another standout track is “Sinner”, which Joeboy hints may also surprise fans. Joeboy is also excited to connect with his fans on a new level, revealing that he's an avid gamer and plans to start streaming soon. “For the gaming community that really listens to my music, I'm one of you guys,” he said.

Meanwhile, he also shot some of the visuals for his album in Cape Town,a city that holds special meaning for him. He had previously shot the video for his hit single “Baby” in Cape Town and the experience left a lasting impression.

 “The city is really beautiful,” Joeboy said. “It has a lot of natural spaces, like the mountains, the oceans; everything just feels natural and green,” he added.

Joeboy's rise to fame began in 2017 after being discovered by Mr Eazi and signed to his “emPawa” Africa label. Since then, he has consistently delivered hit records.