‘Grammy is US award, let’s support our own’ — Joeboy advises colleagues

Joseph Akinwale, the Afrobeats singer better known as Joeboy, has called on his colleagues to support African award shows.

Speaking when he appeared on The Big Convo podcast, the 26-year-old singer argued that the Grammys is an American award show despite its worldwide recognition.

He also called on Afrobeats stars to support award shows in the continent rather than pay attention to the Grammys.

“I think we should unapologetically be ourselves and also empower our institutions here in Africa,” he said.

“Grammys is a great award but it is still an American award. It is just seen as a global award because of its positioning.

“But we make it look like that it is the biggest award an African artiste can ever get. Why don’t we show up for our awards and plan it properly?

“If they did not show up for their awards, it won’t be as great as it is now. I know there is money to be made there but we need to return home and invest.

“At the end of the day, we will all have to come back. So it is all about making sure our infrastructure and institutions are growing.”

In June last year, the Recording Academy introduced the ‘Best African Music Performance’ category.

This makes it the first time in the award’s history that a category will be dedicated to African music.

Joeboy gained popularity under emPawa Africa, a record label owned by Mr Eazi.

In 2019, he won the ‘Best Artiste in African Pop’ prize at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).

The singer also bagged the ‘Best Pop’ category at the Soundcity MVP Awards Festival in 2020.