“Why No Big Hit This Year?” Joeboy Gets Real About What’s Going On in Afrobeats

Afrobeats has been having quite a season over the last couple of years with breakout hits like "Ku Lo Sa", "Calm Down", "Peru", "Sip (Alcohol)" amassing international levels of success and charting internationally. But many have noticed that this year, 2024, although we have had songs that have done quite well like Rema's "Hehehe" or Tems' "Love Me Jeje", we did not have any breakthrough song that reached the levels of success that songs from previous years reached. The question is: Why No Big Hit This Year?

Now, during a new interview with The Guardian, Singer Joeboy is explaining why he thinks this is happening, as well as opening up about other things that pertain to him and his music. Here's what Joeboy had to say.

**Before reading on, please make sure to sign up for my newsletter below so you don't miss out on any new and interesting lists, articles, and stories that I post every single day. At the end of each week, I'll compile all the best stories from the week and send them right to your inbox, so you don't miss out on any of the hottest things that have happened throughout the week. Sign up now so you always get alerted!

First, speaking about why Afrobeats this year has not had any global hit that has reached the same heights as songs from other years, Joeboy said about it:

JOEBOY: For me, and for Afrobeats in general, there have been bigger or better years, but I think that’s just how life works—time and season.

It applies to everything, even demand and supply. People have been complaining that there hasn’t been any major international smash, but I think that’s because our standards and metrics for measuring success have really increased.

Joeboy continued, emphasizing the need for consistency even in the face of fluctuating times and seasons. He said:

JOEBOY: The most significant lesson I’ve learned on this journey is the power of consistency.

You just have to make sure—or at least try your best—to show up every day. Even if it’s just 1% you can put in, as long as you’re showing up daily, it compounds into something much bigger. It’s all about consistency over intensity, and I really live by that.

For example, if you want to get better at recording music, show up at the studio every day and find ways to refine your skills. That consistency not only helps you improve but also makes you fall in love with the entire process. So, one thing I’d like upcoming artists to focus on is consistency—showing up and staying true to yourself regardless of the results. Believe that at some point, everything will make sense. The only way to make that happen is by taking action, and the key to taking action is staying consistent.

What do you think about what Joeboy had to say, and what do you think is the reason why we don't have any major hits this year like we had in years prior? Your thoughts truly matter to me, so please share them in the comments below, or on my Jide Okonjo Facebook post. Let's keep the conversation going and I can't wait to see your thoughts on this.

That's All.

I hope you’ve had fun. Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter if you don’t already for more stories like this - collated every week and sent right to your inbox so you don't miss out on anything.

To catch up on other content you might have missed, click here.

Until next time, have a wonderful rest of your day