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Body and Soul (Joeboy album)

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Body & Soul
Studio album by
Released19 May 2023
Genre
Length39:24
Language
LabelemPawa Africa
Producer
  • E Kelly
  • Timmy
  • Kemena
  • Yung Willis
  • BeatsbyKO
  • K-Note
  • Tytanium
  • Type A
  • Tempoe
  • Dëra
  • Bigfish
  • Kahren
Joeboy chronology
Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic
(2021)
Body & Soul
(2023)
Body, Soul & Spirit
(2023)
Singles from Body & Soul
  1. "Sip (Alcohol)"
    Released: 24 September 2021
  2. "Contour"
    Released: 19 August 2022
  3. "Body & Soul"
    Released: 20 January 2023
  4. "Duffel Bag"
    Released: 7 April 2023

Body & Soul is the second studio album by Nigerian afro pop singer Joeboy. It was released on 19 May 2023, through emPawa Africa, and features guest appearances from Odumodublvck, CKay, Bnxn, Oxlade, Oli Ekun, Kemena, Tempoe, and Ludacris. Production was handled by Tempoe, Kahren, Kemena, Yung Willis, Type A, BeatsbyKO, Timmy, E Kelly, Bigfish, Tytanium, K-Note, and Dëra. The album serves as a follow-up to Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic (2021).

Background and recording

[edit]

In an interview with OkayAfrica, Joeboy reflected on his journey to Body & Soul, describing how his artistic evolution since his 2019 breakout single, "Baby," helped shape the album. Known for exploring various facets of love in his music, he saw Body & Soul as a more nuanced and mature body of work compared to his debut. "This album definitely has more edge; it is less innocent than the first one," Joeboy explained, emphasizing that this collection taps into deeper, sometimes more complex emotional spaces. The album took about a year to craft, a period during which Joeboy recorded a variety of songs freely and without strict guidelines. This openness, he felt, allowed him to create more sincerely. He also embraced collaboration, featuring new and established artists alike, including a track with the American rapper Ludacris—a partnership born out of mutual admiration. "Global dominance, for sure," Joeboy said when asked about his expectations, adding, "It's an album that ticks all the boxes."[2]

Singles

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The album spawned four singles. The album's lead single "Sip (Alcohol)" was released on 24 September 2021 after the release of his debut studio album Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic. The song is a blend of Afrobeats and amapiano and features production from Tempoe. In an interview with the Grammys, Joeboy explained that "Sip (Alcohol)" was meant to capture a chill and introspective vibe, not excessive drinking. When the song went viral as a TikTok challenge with fans pouring palm oil and hard liquor, Joeboy said, "I was very, very intentional: 'That's why I sip'—not drink, or gulp, or pour." He clarified that the song is "a feel-good song" for finding a peaceful escape from life's challenges, inspired by a calm night in Ghana with a glass of white wine.[3] The second single off the album, "Contour," was released on 19 August 2022. The song was produced by Tempoe.[4] The third single and title track "Body & Soul" was released on 20 January 2023. It was produced by E Kelly.[5] The fourth and final single "Duffel Bag" was released on 7 April 2023 alongside its Buhari Yesufu-directed music video and was produced by E Kelly and Timmy.[6]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Afrocritik7.3/10[1]
Premium Times8.5/10[7]
Pulse Nigeria8.5/10[8]
The Native6.9/10[9]

The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Adeayo Adebiyi of Pulse Nigeria described Body & Soul as a "comprehensive and enjoyable listening experience," highlighting its balance between Joeboy's romantic themes and mainstream appeal, with standouts like "Better" and "Slowly" showcasing his versatility. Adebiyi rated the album 8.5/10, calling it "the best Nigerian album of 2023."[8] Solution Emmanuel of Premium Times highlighted Joeboy's sophomore album Body & Soul as a captivating blend of infectious melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and mesmerizing vocals, noting his significant growth in sound and collaborations: "Joeboy effortlessly transcended boundaries... solidifying his position as one of Africa's most promising musical ambassadors." The album received a rating of 8.5/10.[7] In Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku's review for Afrocritik, Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku described Body & Soul as a collection of enjoyable tracks that deliver a familiar Joeboy experience, stating, "the album does do the job," while also noting its lack of significant growth or innovation. The album received a rating of 7.3/10.[1] Uzoma Ihejirika of The Native highlighted Joeboy's growth as an artist in his sophomore album Body & Soul, noting its improved musical quality and the inclusion of guest features that enhance the overall experience: "This album definitely has more edge, it is less innocent than the first one." He rated it 6.9/10.[9] In Edwin Quartey's review for iMullar, he praised Joeboy's album Body & Soul as a personal exploration of love's complexities, showcasing his signature style of heartfelt lyrics and emotional vulnerability: "Joeboy seems to have modest aims for the album, and he gets it right, forty minutes of Love's pros and cons."[10]

Track listing

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Body & Soul track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Normally" (featuring Bnxn and Odumodublvck)
  • BeatsbyKO
  • Bigfish
3:24
2."Body & Soul"
  • Akinfenwa-Donus
  • Emmanuel Nwosu
  • Samuel Adetiloye
  • Wade Oghenejabor
E Kelly2:34
3."Check My Phone"
  • Akinfenwa-Donus
  • Taiwo Ojekunle
  • Chidera Ezeani
  • Tytanium
  • Dëra
2:44
4."Lose Ya"
  • Akinfenwa-Donus
  • Momoh Oshiotseameh Luke
  • Oghenejabor
  • Nwosu
E Kelly2:00
5."Duffel Bag"
  • Akinfenwa-Donus
  • Oghenejabor
  • Adetiloye
  • Luke
  • Nwosu
  • Timmy
  • E Kelly
2:07
6."Contour"
Tempoe3:09
7."Interlude" (featuring Oli Ekun)
  • Akinfenwa-Donus
  • Olubiyi Oluwatobiloba
  • Nkemena
Kemena1:23
8."Wetin Be Love" (featuring CKay)
  • Nonso Amadi
  • Dëra
2:35
9."Woman" (featuring Oxlade)
Yung Willis3:21
10."Chicken, Spice & Curry" (featuring Ludacris)
Type A1:57
11."Better" (featuring Tempoe)
  • Akinfenwa-Donus
  • Alagwu
  • Oluwaseun Otubela
Tempoe3:21
12."Sip (Alcohol)"
  • Akinfenwa-Donus
  • Alagwu
  • Derick Obuobie Jr.
Tempoe2:38
13."Slowly"
  • Akinfenwa-Donus
  • Kingsley Okorie
  • Karen Chisom
  • Ezeani
  • K-Note
  • Kahren
  • Dëra
2:46
14."The Best For You" (featuring Kemena)
  • Akinfenwa-Donus
  • Nkemena
Kemena2:52
15."Halle"
  • Akinfenwa-Donus
  • Adetiloye
  • Luke
  • Nwosu
  • E Kelly
  • Timmy
2:28
Total length:39:24

Personnel

[edit]
  • Joseph "Joeboy" Akinfenwa-Donus – vocals, songwriter
  • Olaitan "Oxlade" Abdulrahman - vocals, songwriter
  • Chukwuka "CKay" Ekweani - vocals, songwriter
  • Daniel "Bnxn" Benson - vocals, songwriter
  • Christopher "Ludacris" Bridges - vocals, songwriter
  • Olubiyi "Oli Ekun" Oluwatobiloba - vocals, songwriter
  • Tochukwu "Odumodublvck" Ojogwu - vocals, songwriter
  • Ekene "Kemena" Nkemena - vocals, songwriter, producer
  • Michael "Tempoe" Alagwu - featured artist, songwriter, producer, mixing engineer
  • Daniel "Yung Willis" Williams - producer, songwriter
  • Chidera "Dëra" Ezeani - producer, songwriter
  • Emmanuel "E Kelly" Nwosu - producer, songwriter
  • Kelenna "Type A" Agada - producer, songwriter
  • Karen "Kahren" Chisom - producer, songwriter
  • Taiwo "Tytanium" Ojekunle - producer, songwriter
  • Kingsley "K-Note" Okorie - producer, songwriter
  • Kevin "BeatsbyKO" Akpewe - producer, songwriter
  • Nonso Amadi - producer, songwriter
  • Momoh "KvngVidarr" Luke - songwriter
  • Victor "Lucid" Nanribetmun - songwriter
  • Wade Oghenejabor - songwriter
  • Derick "J.Derobie" Obuobie Jr. - songwriter
  • Oluwaseun "Oxygen Mix" Otubela - mixing engineer, mastering engineer
  • Michael "Syn X" Nwachukwu – mastering engineer

Release history

[edit]
Release history and formats for Body & Soul
Region Date Format Label
Various 19 May 2023 emPawa Africa

References

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  1. ^ a b c Olowofoyeku, Yinoluwa (22 May 2023). "Joeboy Delivers More of the Familiar on "Body & Soul" LP". Afrocritik. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  2. ^ Falola, Ifeoluwa (25 May 2023). "Interview: Joeboy Wants to Take on the World". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  3. ^ Enos, Morgan (30 November 2021). "Joeboy Sets The Record Straight On His Viral Sensation "Sip (Alcohol)," Discusses His Origins & Future: "My Best Songs Are Ahead Of Me"". Grammys. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  4. ^ Overo, Naomi (20 August 2022). "Joeboy Releases His New Single "Contour"". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  5. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (20 January 2023). "Joeboy drops first single of 2023 titled 'Body & Soul'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  6. ^ Adedayo, Adedamola (13 April 2023). "Joeboy's "Duffel Bag" is a Manifesto for Materialistic Romance". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  7. ^ a b Emmanuel, Solution (21 May 2023). "ALBUM REVIEW: Joeboy transcends boundaries in sophomore effort, 'Body and Soul'". Premium Times. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  8. ^ a b Adeayo, Adebiyi (19 May 2023). "Joeboy embraces his identity & delivers artistic quality with 'Body & Soul'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  9. ^ a b Ihejirika, Uzoma (10 June 2023). "Review: Joeboy's 'Body & Soul'". The Native. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  10. ^ Quartey, Edwin. "Review: Joeboy – Body & Soul". iMullar. Retrieved 31 October 2024.