new color = #ff386a, old color =

Songtrust Spotlight: Joanny

Picture of Songtrust Staff
3 minute read

Joanny is one of the fastest-rising musicians coming out of Melbourne, Australia. He was born Joachim Nnaemeka Emeodi in the Eastern part of Nigeria on the 2nd of July 1994, and is the last of five children. As a kid, Jo’Boy (as he is fondly called) grew up listening to his parents’ taste of selected playlists which included Reggae, Afropop, African Highlife Music (Native to Eastern Nigeria), as well as Country music. Exposure to such several music genres has seen Joanny’s music style as a blend/fusion of, but not limited to Afro-pop, Afrobeats, Reggae, Dancehall, Hip-Hop, and RnB, as well as Country and Gospel music. 

After moving to Australia in his early adult years, Jo was faced with the challenge of adapting to a new environment and starting all over, but that never stopped him from writing and creating music. Setting up a bedroom studio has been his biggest decision and all thanks to Youtube through which he learned the use of the DAW - Logic Pro, with which he would write and record his songs. His international background in Australia has presented him with many opportunities, collaborations, and features. He has featured on Audollaz magazine Australia, and has collaborated with Australian artists such as Jalmar with a smash hit record “Mi Cariño.”

Joanny returned to Nigeria in January 2021 to focus on his music. He dropped the project “People, Times & Emotions” in August of 2021. This landed him more visibility in the Nigerian music space with songs like "Fely" and "Watch You" premiering on various platforms like Soundcity and major radio outlets like BeatFM, Cool FM, Wazobia, and many more.

He has proven to be touching base with his home fans and has a vast following in Africa, Nigeria precisely, and this has landed him airplay on major TV stations such as MTV Africa, Soundcity Tv, and Hip Tv, multiple radio stations including Soundcity Radio, MetroFM Lagos, and Rhythm Fm, as well features on major entertainment blogs such as Tooxclusive, NotjustOk, and Pulse news. Joanny has also featured on major editorial playlists for Apple Music, Spotify, Boomplay, and Audiomack.Joanny


WHAT OR WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO MUSIC?

Music has always been my thing but I’d say my Sophomore year, which was 2013, was when I decided to go into it fully.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE? HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PHILOSOPHY AND STYLE AS AN ARTIST?

My style, I’d say, is a fusion of highlife and beats inspired by the likes of 2face, dbanj, and p-square.

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO CREATE, AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS FOR YOURSELF IN MUSIC?

The urge to release what’s inside of me and truly express what I feel is what drives me to create. Success in music for me is doing and getting better than what I did previously.

THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER, WHO HAS HELPED YOU THE MOST WITH DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT?

My family and friends, and key business partners.

SOMETIMES BEING IN THIS BUSINESS CAN BE OVERWHELMING. DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR MAINTAINING PERSPECTIVE AND NOT SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF?

I’d advise that they do it for the passion for the game. It’ll keep you going.

FOR SOME MUSIC CREATORS, THEIR CULTURE, RELIGION, OR COMMUNITY PLAYS A BIG PART IN HOW THEY DEFINE THEMSELVES MUSICALLY, WHILE FOR OTHERS, IT'S MORE ABOUT ESCAPING OR UNDERSTANDING THOSE EXPERIENCES RATHER THAN PAYING HOMAGE TO IT. HOW HAS YOUR UPBRINGING, COMMUNITY, AND/OR CULTURE INFLUENCED YOUR MUSIC OR STYLE, IF AT ALL, THROUGHOUT YOUR MUSICAL JOURNEY?

I consumed loads of Indigenous sounds growing up, predominantly highlife, which influenced my own sound and delivery.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS JUST STARTING THEIR CAREERS, BASED ON WHAT YOU’VE EXPERIENCED?

Be patient and enjoy the process.

WHAT MOTTO, AFFIRMATION, OR QUOTE EMPOWERS, INSPIRES, OR MOTIVATES YOU?

The same consciousness that creates a problem, cant provide the solution. Grow from your mistakes.

FOR FUN, IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON AN ISLAND AND COULD ONLY HAVE (3) ITEMS WITH YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU BRING?

I would bring water, a phone, and a knife

WHAT DO YOU HAVE COMING UP NEXT?

I have a new possible project in the works. 

HOW DID YOU COME TO SONGTRUST?

I followed up through Songtrust's Facebook ads, did a few classes, and then registered on their platform.

Follow Joanny on:

Keep up with Joanny and listen to their music on:

Home-Page_Modules

Protect Your Rights With Songtrust's Music Publishing Split Sheet.

Download Resource