Joeboy: Ego, Internal Competition Weakening Afrobeats Unity

Speaking during an interview on Cool FM Lagos alongside fellow artist Wizard Chan, Joeboy explained that he now prefers to work with musicians he shares genuine friendships with, noting that such relationships help eliminate ego clashes and internal competition during creative sessions.

He stated that collaborations, in his view, should not be treated as battles for superiority, adding that he often expects featured artists to excel on tracks he invites them on, rather than compete with him. Joeboy stressed that the essence of featuring other artists is to allow them bring their unique strengths to a song.

Wizard Chan, who recently worked with Joeboy on their joint project Agaba Romantic, also criticized controlling attitudes in collaborative spaces, arguing that studio sessions should be free of interference and ego-driven instructions. He emphasized that artists are featured because of their distinct abilities and should be allowed to express themselves without restriction.

Joeboy further expressed frustration over instances where artists reportedly alter or re-record their verses after hearing a collaborator’s performance, especially when they feel overshadowed, describing the behavior as counterproductive to the spirit of collaboration.