May 13, (THEWILL) — Nigerian Afrobeats singer, Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus, popularly known as Joeboy, has opened up about the challenges affecting collaboration in the music industry, saying ego and unhealthy competition often prevent artistes from working well together.
Speaking during an interview on Cool FM Lagos, the singer said he finds it easier to work with artistes he is close to because there is less tension and rivalry.
“It is easier for me to collaborate with artistes that I am cool with or friends with. Because there will be no ego or inner competition. Personally, if I feature you, I expect you to outshine me in the song. That is why I featured you. So, I don’t get the competition”, he stated.
Joeboy said collaborations should focus on making good music and bringing different styles together, rather than competing with one another.
Reggae and Afro-fusion singer, Fuayefika Maxwell, also known as Wizard Chan, who also appeared in the interview, agreed with Joeboy, saying ego is one of the biggest problems artistes face when working together.
“My problem with collaboration is just ego. I would never interfere when you’re recording; you just also do the same. Some artistes will ask for a feature and want to tell you how to do your job. That is wrong. Let me do my thing.
“The reason I would feature anybody is because I cannot do what they are doing. And I cannot even tell them to sound like me or do my style. The aim of collaboration is to bring a different aspect to the song. And it is not a competition”, he added.
Wizard Chan alleged that some artistes change their verses after hearing a collaborator perform better on a song.
Joeboy and Wizard Chan have worked together on songs, including “Loner”, “Heal”, and their joint project, “Agaba Romantic”.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
