Joeboy celebrates Afrobeats’ global rise, crediting talent, tech, and Nigeria’s vibrant culture.
He says social media and the diaspora helped push the genre to worldwide recognition.
Nigerian Afrobeats star Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus, widely known as Joeboy, has offered insights into how Afrobeats gained global recognition.
Speaking in a recent interview with Zwart, Joeboy credited the genre’s global rise to a combination of factors, including the natural vibrancy of Nigerians, the strength of the diaspora, and the undeniable talent within the country’s music scene.
“Afrobeats is here now because it has been a long time coming. And there’s so much talent, it’s only right that we just spread it to the world,” he said.
Joeboy highlighted that Nigeria’s sizable population, both locally and in the diaspora, has been instrumental in boosting the reach of Afrobeats.. He also highlighted how Nigerians’ outgoing and expressive nature helps promote the genre wherever they go.
“Naturally, we are very loud. That’s what they said. So, we are very out there. And, wherever we are in the world, we like to represent [our culture],” he added.
He noted that the growing presence of Nigerians in different parts of the world, combined with the power of social media, has given Afrobeats significant exposure. According to him, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have made it easier for global audiences to discover and connect with Nigerian music.
Joeboy also stressed the importance of the quality and creativity in Afrobeats production, saying the genre’s international appeal wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and innovation of its artists.
His comments reflect a growing pride in the cultural export that Afrobeats has become and the collective effort that has brought it to the world stage.
