Nigerian musician Joeboy has shared his tale of rising from poverty to fame.
In an interview on the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, the singer recalled how he endured a three-month strike embarked upon by ASUU while in university.
He said during the period of the strike, he found employment as a marketer in a sachet water factory.
He added that the experience motivated him to strive for success in life.
“I studied Human Resources and Personnel Management. When I was in university, there was a strike for like three months. So I decided to get a job and I was searching for a job for like three months in the whole of Lagos. I did not get one single job,” he said.
“There was even a time I worked in a pure water factory as a marketer. At that point I was like, ‘I am looking so hard for a job and I cannot find any. Is this how I am going to end up when I finish school?’ So that was also a trigger. I told myself, ‘You really have to make sure you make it.”
Born Joseph Akinwale, Joeboy gained popularity under emPawa Africa, a record label owned by Mr Eazi.
The singer has won several awards and recognition for his craft.
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.
Earlier this month, he announced his exit from emPawa Africa and unveiled his music label called ‘Young Legend’.
