Singer Joe El Amadi recently shared how his striking resemblance to fellow artist 2Baba has affected his career. During an appearance on the “Hoha” podcast, he explained that being compared to 2Baba has had negative consequences for him.
Joe El revealed that some music executives and media personalities denied him opportunities simply because he looks like 2Baba. “The downsides of 2Baba comparisons almost broke me down,” he said. “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 incident where a Sound City presenter confronted him at Club Rumours, claiming he instructed his team not to play Joe El’s songs because he thought Joe El was mimicking 2Baba. “The event planner at Festac Carnival insisted that I wouldn’t perform because I look like their King 2Face. The same thing happened when I went for an interview at Cool FM; the presenter said he couldn’t interview someone who imitates 2Face.”
Feeling frustrated, Joe El sought advice from his mother and his record label boss, Baba Keke, who encouraged him to stay calm. “Sometimes, when I try to pay homage to 2Face when we meet in public, some of his team members will block me,” he added.
However, he noted that perceptions began to change after he collaborated with 2Baba on the song “Hold On” in 2015.
When discussing his departure from Kennis Music after 12 years, Joe El stated simply, “The contract was over.”
