Popular singer Joe El Amadi [/b]opens up about the drawbacks of bearing a striking resemblance to fellow artist 2Baba. In a candid discussion, Joe El revealed that constant comparisons to the legendary musician have significantly hindered his career advancement, leaving him feeling frustrated and misunderstood.
The singer shared that he has faced numerous challenges due to this resemblance, claiming that certain music industry executives and media figures have barred him from their platforms solely based on his physical similarity to 2Baba. This unfortunate situation has led to missed opportunities and a feeling of being sidelined in the competitive music industry.
In his own words, Joe El expressed his frustrations, stating, “The downsides of 2Baba comparisons almost broke me down. Some presenters at Cool FM and Sound City, and an event planner at Festac Carnival 2013, denied me access to their platforms for looking like 2Baba.” He recounted a specific encounter at Club Rumours where a presenter from Sound City confronted him, boasting that he had instructed other presenters not to play Joe El's songs due to the similarity, claiming he was mimicking 2Face.
He continued, sharing how an event planner at the Festac Carnival refused to let him perform, insisting that he would not take the stage because he resembled their "King 2Face." Joe El recounted another instance during an interview at Cool FM when the presenter outright refused to interview him, citing his resemblance to 2Face as a reason. “I complained to my mum and my record label boss, Baba Keke, but they urged me to remain calm,” he recalled, highlighting the emotional toll it took on him. “Sometimes, when I try to pay homage to 2Face when we meet in public, some of his team members will block me.”
Despite these challenges, Joe El acknowledged that collaborating with 2Baba on the track “Hold On” in 2015 played a significant role in shifting public perception about him, ultimately earning him recognition as an individual artist and allowing him to carve out his own identity in the industry.
When asked about his exit from Kennis Music, Joe El clarified that it was simply the natural conclusion of his contract, stating, “It was over.” This marks a new chapter in his career, as he looks to establish himself further in the Nigerian music scene.
Watch him speak about his experiences and the impact of these comparisons below …
"I was with Kennis Music for 12 years"
Joe El Amadi opens up on the downsides of the 2Face comparisons. pic.twitter.com/4WgDYOg9Yx
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) October 31, 2024