In a candid interview, popular singer Joe El Amadi opened up about the significant impact his striking resemblance to fellow artist 2Baba has had on his career.
The artist revealed that constant comparisons to the iconic musician have posed challenges that hindered his professional advancement.
Joe El shared his frustration, stating that certain music industry executives and media figures have denied him opportunities solely based on his physical similarity to 2Baba.
He recounted a particularly disheartening incident involving a presenter from Sound City who confronted him at Club Rumours, claiming he had instructed his colleagues not to play Joe El's music because he was "mimicking" 2Baba.
“The downsides of 2Baba comparisons almost broke me down,” Joe El lamented. He recalled another instance where an event planner at the Festac Carnival in 2013 refused to allow him to perform, insisting that he looked too much like their "King 2Face."
Similarly, during an interview at Cool FM, a presenter told him, “I can’t interview someone who imitates 2Face,” further exacerbating his struggles.
Despite these setbacks, Joe El found a turning point in his career when he collaborated with 2Baba on the track “Hold On” in 2015.
This collaboration helped shift public perception, allowing him to be recognized as an individual artist rather than a mere look-alike.
When discussing his departure from Kennis Music, Joe El attributed it to the natural conclusion of his contract, stating, “It was over.”
The singer continues to navigate the complexities of his career while striving to establish his unique identity in the music industry.