We waited two years to see JoeBoy. Let. That. Sink. In.
No Average Joe.
In today’s fast paced world. Change is constant and normally, time wait’s for no one. However, to borrow a line from Aaliyah, that has since also been referenced by Drake. JoeBoy is by no means just anyone. JoeBoy is an Afrobeats force of nature. With one of the biggest hits in Afrobeats history.
Us human beings can be fickle. We have smart tv’s, smart phones and are normally used go getting everything fast and on demand. Nevertheless, the normally rules are inapplicable when it comes to JoeBoy because is bigger than a phase, or a trend. JoeBoy already, has a legacy and catalogue that is respected by Afrobeats fans across the globe.
As recently mentioned, Afrobeats is readily consumed in St. Lucia and the Caribbean as a whole. JoeBoy initially was meant to be a part of St. Lucia Jazz Festival 2023. However, for whatever reason, JoeBoy’s set ended unfinished. Again, given how much Afrobeats & JoeBoy’s music is treasured, this occurence obviously upset a lot of people. Fast forward to St. Lucia Jazz Festival 2024 and JoeBoy and his fans finally were reunited.
The energy in the air was palpable. Anticipation was in the air. The vibes were electric as two years of anticipating had come to an end. Finally JoeBoy was here!!!! Looking fresher than the fish cooked at Fish Friday’s in Gros Islet. All past contention became significant as JoeBoy hit the ground running and immediately had the crowd singing along and eating out of his hands – so to speak.
As mentioned in a previous article, Afrobeats is happy music. Or at the very least, music for happy people that want to be happy. However, it is important to notice that “Afrobeats” is a spectrum. To varying degrees, artists that are marketed as Afrobeats artists, actually make Afrobeats music.
JoeBoy however, is definitely one of the artists that makes what can be considered Afrobeats music in the pure sense of the word. It is often noted that most communication is non verbal.
There Is Only One JoeBoy
Furthermore, as students of physics would likely be quick to share, everything is energy. The sum of these two points basically helps to convey the fact that music is a language of its own. Capable of communicating energy and feelings that surpass what words would be able to.
In other words, JoeBoy’s music, hits different because it is very African, very Nigerian, all in a way that makes people feel good. Whether in the Caribbean or elsewhere, people hear JoeBoy’s music and feel good (way more than good even). Which is precisely why fans were willing to wait two years straight to see JoeBoy.
Moreover, fans never waited in vain.
Another element of JoeBoy’s excellence, is the relatability of both JoeBoy’s himself as well as, JoeBoy’s music. Beginning to fall in love, don’t call me back, that’s why I sip my alcohol all of these JoeBoy lyrics and many, many more – all, ooze, relatability!!!!
JoeBoy showed up in St. Lucia again for the second year straight as if he just pulled up from around the corner. As opposed to, from Nigeria. Admittedly though, JoeBoy had all rights to do this. As our video of JoeBoy’s performance proves, JoeBoy was both very welcome and familiar to fans and attendees at St Lucia Jazz Festival. To be sure, JoeBoy has the secret sauce, a special recipe, that ensures fans stay pleased and are always wanting more. To be sure, everything about JoeBoy felt familiar. What’s more, it felt like a family affair. As both artist and the crowd did their part to make the night memorable.
JB Looked Very Much At Home.
Another cultural aspect shared between all involved was that of call and response. Which helps to explain why so much love was on show this night. Speaking of love, that love is a common theme of JoeBoy’s music is part of his secret sauce. The best part is that this is done in the artist’s unique way which definitely has an endearing effect, on his fans. Moreover, as much as we all like to play tough and independent. The truth is, there is an inner romantic in most of us.
Whilst in real life, being in touch with our romantic side can be risky. St. Lucia’s Jazz Festival in retrospect, was an exceedingly safe space. Actually, the space felt so safe that the DJ decided to turn all the lights off as JoeBoy proceeded to sing his biggest hit: Sip My Alcohol. To make up for the lights being off, fans were encouraged to turn their phone lights on!
After all of this, we had lift off as JB came, saw and conquered under the light of the moon. Two years felt like two minutes in that moment. JB performed for almost an hour, yet it almost felt like it was for two minutes too. One thing for sure though, JB was pon deck and his true fans will love him forever.
