Body & Soul is the second studio album by Nigerian afro pop singer Joeboy. It was released on 19 May 2023, through emPawa Africa, and features guest appearances from Odumodublvck, CKay, Bnxn, Oxlade, Oli Ekun, Kemena, Tempoe, and Ludacris. Production was handled by Tempoe, Kahren, Kemena, Yung Willis, Type A, BeatsbyKO, Timmy, E Kelly, Bigfish, Tytanium, K-Note, and Dëra. The album serves as a follow-up to Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic (2021).
In an interview with OkayAfrica, Joeboy reflected on his journey to Body & Soul, describing how his artistic evolution since his 2019 breakout single, "Baby," helped shape the album. Known for exploring various facets of love in his music, he saw Body & Soul as a more nuanced and mature body of work compared to his debut. "This album definitely has more edge; it is less innocent than the first one," Joeboy explained, emphasizing that this collection taps into deeper, sometimes more complex emotional spaces. The album took about a year to craft, a period during which Joeboy recorded a variety of songs freely and without strict guidelines. This openness, he felt, allowed him to create more sincerely. He also embraced collaboration, featuring new and established artists alike, including a track with the American rapper Ludacris—a partnership born out of mutual admiration. "Global dominance, for sure," Joeboy said when asked about his expectations, adding, "It's an album that ticks all the boxes."[2]
The album spawned four singles. The album's lead single "Sip (Alcohol)" was released on 24 September 2021 after the release of his debut studio album Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic. The song is a blend of Afrobeats and amapiano and features production from Tempoe. In an interview with the Grammys, Joeboy explained that "Sip (Alcohol)" was meant to capture a chill and introspective vibe, not excessive drinking. When the song went viral as a TikTok challenge with fans pouring palm oil and hard liquor, Joeboy said, "I was very, very intentional: 'That's why I sip'—not drink, or gulp, or pour." He clarified that the song is "a feel-good song" for finding a peaceful escape from life's challenges, inspired by a calm night in Ghana with a glass of white wine.[3] The second single off the album, "Contour," was released on 19 August 2022. The song was produced by Tempoe.[4] The third single and title track "Body & Soul" was released on 20 January 2023. It was produced by E Kelly.[5] The fourth and final single "Duffel Bag" was released on 7 April 2023 alongside its Buhari Yesufu-directed music video and was produced by E Kelly and Timmy.[6]
The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Adeayo Adebiyi of Pulse Nigeria described Body & Soul as a "comprehensive and enjoyable listening experience," highlighting its balance between Joeboy's romantic themes and mainstream appeal, with standouts like "Better" and "Slowly" showcasing his versatility. Adebiyi rated the album 8.5/10, calling it "the best Nigerian album of 2023."[8] Solution Emmanuel of Premium Times highlighted Joeboy's sophomore album Body & Soul as a captivating blend of infectious melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and mesmerizing vocals, noting his significant growth in sound and collaborations: "Joeboy effortlessly transcended boundaries... solidifying his position as one of Africa's most promising musical ambassadors." The album received a rating of 8.5/10.[7] In Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku's review for Afrocritik, Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku described Body & Soul as a collection of enjoyable tracks that deliver a familiar Joeboy experience, stating, "the album does do the job," while also noting its lack of significant growth or innovation. The album received a rating of 7.3/10.[1] Uzoma Ihejirika of The Native highlighted Joeboy's growth as an artist in his sophomore album Body & Soul, noting its improved musical quality and the inclusion of guest features that enhance the overall experience: "This album definitely has more edge, it is less innocent than the first one." He rated it 6.9/10.[9] In Edwin Quartey's review for iMullar, he praised Joeboy's album Body & Soul as a personal exploration of love's complexities, showcasing his signature style of heartfelt lyrics and emotional vulnerability: "Joeboy seems to have modest aims for the album, and he gets it right, forty minutes of Love's pros and cons."[10]
