Nigerian singer-songwriter Joeboy has finally unveiled his highly anticipated third studio album, Viva Lavida, after over a month of buildup, which fans have been awaiting its arrival. The 27-year-old Afrobeats star, born Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus, dropped the 13-track project under his Young Legend imprint in partnership with Warner Music Africa, marking a significant chapter in his evolving career. Having teased listeners with pre-released singles Osadebe, Adenuga, SMH, and Taxi Driver, Joeboy now delivers the full package, a cohesive and emotionally charged body of work that exhibits his artistic growth.
Viva Lavida, which translates to “Live Life,” finds Joeboy in a vulnerable and broken state, a recurring theme in his discography that has endeared him to fans since his breakout hit Baby in 2019. Tracks like Innocent, Streets Are Lonely, Taxi Driver, and SMH paint a vivid picture of heartbreak, with Joeboy laying bare the pain of being let down by a lover. In Innocent, he opens the album with a raw plea, setting a melancholic tone that carries through to Streets Are Lonely, where he reflects on isolation amid emotional turmoil. Taxi Driver, co-produced by Xtofa and Tempoe, captures the sting of betrayal with lines like: “Who say make I fall in love again, I been dey think say you go be my sweet sugarcane,” while SMH featuring Tempoe, blends a Tamil sample with Afropop to explore the dissolution of a once-promising romance. These songs highlight Joeboy’s knack for turning personal wounds into relatable songs, a hallmark of his heartbreak-driven Afrobeats sound.
The album isn’t just a one-note sob story, though—it’s quintessentially Joeboy, balancing sorrow with resilience and infectious melodies. Across its 13 tracks, he collaborates with a stellar lineup, including Qing Madi on Adenuga, Olamide on Free of Charge, Wizard Chan on I’ll Be Okay, and Elana Dara on Sunset, adding diverse textures to the project. Osadebe, a nod to highlife legend Chief Osita Osadebe, brings a lighter, reflective vibe, interpolating the Igbo phrase “Osondi Owendi” to assert his determination to live on his terms. Meanwhile, tracks like Sinner and Hey Father offer moments of introspection and hope, rounding out the narrative of a man navigating love’s highs and lows.
Viva Lavida builds on Joeboy’s legacy, following his debut Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic (2021) and sophomore effort Body & Soul (2023), which spawned hits like Sip (Alcohol). With over two billion global streams to his name, Joeboy’s third album feels like a natural evolution—a heartbroken yet hopeful soundtrack for anyone who’s loved and lost. It’s a good one, no doubt, and its universal themes of vulnerability and perseverance ensure it’ll resonate with every lover of good music. As Joeboy embarks on his 2025 world tour, including shows across Europe and the UK, Viva Lavida positions him not just as an Afrobeats staple but as a global storyteller living his truth, one melody at a time.
Listen to Viva Lavida here.
