Nigerian singer Joe El Amadi recently opened up about the struggles he faced in his music career due to his striking resemblance to music legend 2Baba. Speaking on the ‘Hoha’ podcast, Joe El explained how constant comparisons to 2Baba led to missed opportunities and bias from music executives and media outlets.
Joe El recounted multiple instances where he was denied access to platforms simply because of his likeness to 2Baba. “The comparisons almost broke me,” he revealed, noting how presenters at Cool FM and Sound City, as well as an event planner for Festac Carnival 2013, refused him access, accusing him of imitating 2Baba’s style.
“One Sound City presenter even boasted at Club Rumours that he ordered his team not to play my songs because I looked like 2Baba,” Joe El shared. “At Festac Carnival, an event planner stopped me from performing for the same reason. Even during an interview at Cool FM, a presenter said he couldn’t interview someone who imitated 2Baba.”
Although frustrated, Joe El’s persistence paid off when he collaborated with 2Baba on the track ‘Hold On’ in 2015, which shifted public perception.
Reflecting on his recent departure from Kennis Music after 12 years, Joe El simply stated, “The contract was over.”
News Editor