Joe EL | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Joel Amadi Didam |
| Also known as | Joe El, Joe-El, Joe Everlasting |
| Born | Sokoto,Sokoto State, Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | Kennis Music |
Joel Amadi, known asJoe EL, (born 23 March) is a Nigerianafrobeat singer, songwriter, and performer, signed withKennis Music. In 2006, he participated in the Star Quest singing competition in Jos and later on in the annualKennis Music Easter fiesta.
Joel Amadi was born to the Amadi Didam family inSokoto,Sokoto State. He, however, grew up inKano State.[1] His father came from Zikpak,Kafanchan,SouthernKaduna State,[2] and his mother fromOtukpa,Benue State. After his primary education at Ramat Nursery and Primary School, he attended Army Day Secondary School, Bukavo Barracks,Kano State, from where after he graduated, and subsequently decided to proceed to study at theKaduna State College of Education,Kafanchan (which is affiliated to theUniversity of Jos), graduating in the year 2005 with a diploma in Accounting and Auditing.[1]
Several news-media reported the songwriter posting on 24 July 2020 about the murder of his father (brother to the late monarch,Agwam Musa Didam,Agwam Fantswam I alongside the late monarch's wife) by Fulani herdsmen in his hometown, expressing his sadness and disappointment on the governor's handling of security in the state.[3][2][4] Speaking withThe Guardian, he called on the federal and state government to speak up against the killings bedevilling theSouthern part of his state.[5]
Joe EL began his musical career in 2006, when he participated in the Star Quest singing competition[1] which was his first TV appearance. In 2009, he moved toLagos where he hoped for better chances. He eventually metKenny Ogungbe, the CEO ofKennis Music who offered him a contract in 2010. His debut single "I No Mind" was later nominated for the Best R'n'b Video at the NMVA 2011 awards.
He achieved more popularity with his award-winning track "Bakololo" which was run Nigerian radio stations between 2011 and 2012.[1] He also dropped songs such as: "Love song" and "Happy". With these songs, he toured about four states across the country, performing at the Glo Rock n Roll show, the Star Quest Grand Finale, the annual Kennis Music Easter Fiesta and other big stages.[1]
He is often compared to2Baba (also known as 2Face Idibia and TuFace), a Nigerian music legend, due to their facial resemblance.[6] In 2014, he expressed his admiration for 2Baba, and also that he would like to collaborate with him.[7][8] In 2014, Joe EL released the video of a song titled "Hold On" featuring 2Baba. The video was directed byClarence Peters and produced byGrammy Award winningHakim Abdulsamad.[9] The video later got nominated forThe Headies award for best collaboration in 2015.[10]
In 2014, his song, "Oya Now" in which he featuredOritsefemi got another nomination forThe Headies Best Collaboration Video award.[11] He got two more nominations in the NMVA 2014 edition, one for his song, "You Are In Love" which was nominated for Best R'n'b Video category which was won byNiyola and the other for his new video "Oya Now" nominated for Best Video by A New Act which he won.[12][13]
In 2019, he teamed up withMasterkraft to produce a dance song titled "Rawa" (Dance).
| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | The Headies | Award for Best Collaboration | "Hold On"(featuring2Baba) | Nominated | [10] |
| 2014 | The Headies | Award for Best Collaboration | "Oya Now"(featuringOritsefemi) | Nominated | [11] |
| Nigerian Music Video Award (NMVA) | Best Video Award By A New Act | "Oya Now" (featuringOritsefemi) | Won | [13] | |
| Best Afro Beat Video | "Oya Now"(featuringOritsefemi) | Nominated | [13] | ||
| Best RnB Video | "You Are In Love" | Nominated | [13] | ||
| 2013 | The Most Finest Girl in Nigeria Beauty Pageant | Best New Act | Himself | Won | |
| The Most Endorsed Artiste | Himself | Won | [1] | ||
| 2012 | Kennis Music | The Most Laspotech celebrated Artiste of the year Award | Himself | Won | |
| 2011 | Nigerian Music Video Award (NMVA) | Best RnB Video Award | "I No Mind" | Nominated |