By Omotayo Olutekunbi

Joeboy is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who rose to fame in 2019 with his hit single “Baby.” Joeboy has been described as one of Nigerian music’s most exciting new voices. Joeboy’s music can be described as a fusion of Afrobeat and R&B with a touch of pop. He is known for his distinctive voice, smooth and catchy melodies, and relatable lyrics that resonate with his listeners. 

Joeboy’s Body & Soul album is a 15-track work that explores love, success, heartbreak, and betrayal themes. The album features a blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and pop, and Joeboy’s smooth vocals and catchy melodies are on full display. He features BNXN fka Buju, Odumodublvck, Ckay, Oxlade, Ludacris, Tempoe, Oli Ekun, and Kemena on the album.

Normally ft BNXN fka Buju & Odumodublvck.

The album opens with the first song, “Normally,” featuring BNXN fka Buju and Odumodublvck. The song’s Warm and mellow keys, with a touch of soul, created a warm and inviting atmosphere. BNXN’s unique style and flow complement Joeboy’s smooth and soulful vocals. At the same time, Odumodublvck’s contribution adds an extra layer of texture to the song with his rap flows. The song talks about their unique talents, how they are special and do things normally, their journey to success and blessings, and thanking God for their life’s purpose.

Body & Soul

Joeboy shows his vulnerable side in “Body & Soul” as he sings to his love interest. He always promises to have her back because of his love for her in his Body & Soul. He says she has nobody to compete for his attention, and she should not worry about him leaving because he is here to stay. Joeboy’s vocals are smooth and passionate on this romantic track. The lyrics are heartfelt and express the artist’s desire for his lover. The chorus is catchy and easy to sing along to. The production is clean and polished, with a simple beat that complements the melody and vocals.

Duffel Bag

Joeboy’s lover-boy vibes also come to play on this track as he sings about his lover who wants a man to treat her with respect and spend on her. He says there is no problem because he has plenty of money in his duffel bag. The song’s melody is catchy, and the beat is energetic, making it the perfect music to dance to. Joeboy’s vocals are smooth, and he delivers the lyrics with confidence and swagger. The song is braggadocious, but it is also catchy and fun.

CONTOUR

Joeboy’s “Contour” is a song about heartbreak but a feel-good heartbreak and betrayal. Joeboy sings about a two-faced individual. Someone that has a dirty mind towards him, but the person won’t be where they are without him. Joeboy talks about changing towards people because their ways are not straight. His vocals are perfect for the song’s vibe. He sings with a sense of vulnerability and honesty and perfectly captures the feeling of betrayal. The song’s production is top-notch, blending acoustic guitars, pianos, and drums.

BETTER

Joeboy sings about his love interest, who has a man that doesn’t treat her right. He asks her about the scar on her face and how he is ready to put a bullet in the man’s head. Joeboy sings about how his love interest makes him feel and how he is prepared to treat her better than her current lover. He also promises to be one call away when she needs someone to talk to. The song’s lyrics are relatable and speak to the listener’s heart. Tempoe did an excellent job with the production of the music. The beat is well-structured and complements Joeboy’s vocals perfectly. 

SIP(ALCOHOL)

This is a previously released song that was a massive hit, and it topped the charts. Joeboy sings about how he sips his alcohol because he tries not to think about bad things and return to where he was before. He talks about all his blessings and how he isn’t going to fall. Joeboy continues to talk about the distractions, not having many friends, and how he doesn’t want to lose his conscience and dance and enjoy his life. The production quality of the song is top-notch, with a well-crafted beat and well-mixed vocals. The instrumentation mixes synth pads, percussion, and electric guitar, creating a mellow and groovy sound. The song has a catchy beat that is sure to get people dancing. 

SLOWLY

“Slowly” is a slow and sensual love song that will resonate with listeners of all ages. The song opens with a soft guitar riff that sets the tone for the rest of the song. Joeboy sings about taking his love interest away on a trip to an island and the sexual things he wants to do to her. He sings about his love interest belonging to him and making her his wife. He slowly wants to do sexual things to her while they are together. The song’s simplicity, catchy melody, and relatable lyrics make it a must-listen. Joeboy’s vocals are smooth and soothing, and he perfectly captures the feeling of desire for his love interest.

THE BEST FOR YOU

Joeboy’s “The Best of You” featuring Kemena is a catchy and upbeat song that will get you moving. The song features a blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and pop. The lyrics are heartfelt, expressing the want of a better life for their love interest. They are ready to provide the best for their love interest and even ask her to run away to achieve this. Joeboy’s smooth vocals and Kemena’s soulful voice complement each other perfectly, which gives the song a good vibe and energy. 

HALLE

Joeboy expresses gratitude to God for all His blessings in the album’s final song. He sings about how God has faithfully provided for him in every situation. He sings about having trouble in his mind, but when he prays to God, his mind is at ease. Joeboy sings about how he has cried many times but has masked it with a smile. The lyrics of the song are simple yet powerful. They convey a message of hope and gratitude to God. The song is a perfect way to close the album, leaving the listener feeling content and thankful.

Other songs in the album are Check My Phone, Lose Ya, Wetin Be Love ft Ckay, Woman ft Oxlade, Chicken, Spice & Curry ft Ludacris. Also, we have a song, Interlude featuring Oli Ekun, where he tells a pretty interesting story in Yoruba with English.

Conclusion

Joeboy’s Body & Soul is a solid album that showcases his talent as a singer and songwriter. The album has catchy melodies, relatable lyrics, and smooth vocals. The album is a testament to his growth as a singer and songwriter, as he explores various themes and emotions in his music. The artists he featured on the album brought their unique styles and delivered exceptionally.

The album is uneven, with some songs being stronger than others. However, the album’s overall quality could be better, and only some tracks are worth a listen.

Joeboy’s vocals are the album’s highlight, and he delivers the lyrics with passion and emotion. The production on the album is also top-notch, and it perfectly complements the vocals and lyrics.

Overall, I think Body & Soul is a well-crafted and enjoyable album. It is not a groundbreaking masterpiece but a fun and catchy album with a replay value. It is a perfect album to listen to when you feel good or want to relax and enjoy good music.

Personal Favorites (Normally, Body & Soul, Duffel Bag, Contour, Better, Sip(Alchohol), Slowly, The Best For You)

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