Joey B

Joey B is one of the most stylish and versatile voices in modern Ghanaian music, a rapper and singer whose multilingual, effortlessly cool delivery has made him a favourite collaborator and a hitmaker in his own right.

Early life

He was born Darryl Paa Kwesi Bannerman-Martin on 20 August 1989 in Cape Coast. He discovered his love of music young, and grew up able to move between English, Ga, Twi, Fante and pidgin, a versatility that would define his sound.

Career

He signed to the producer Jay So's Skillions Records in 2009 and featured on the influential mixtape The New Generation Skillions. His breakout came with the single Tonga, a huge hit that established him as a distinctive new voice, followed by songs like Strawberry Ginger and Chop Kenkey that drew heavy airplay in Ghana and the United Kingdom.

Collaborations

He became one of the most sought-after collaborators in Ghanaian music, working with the likes of Sarkodie, E.L, Edem and Fuse ODG. His smooth, laid-back style made him a natural fit across rap and Afropop, and he was nominated Hiplife/Hip-hop Artist of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards.

Standing

Cool, eclectic and consistently in demand, Joey B has carved out a distinctive niche in Ghanaian music, an artist as comfortable leading a track as elevating someone else's, and one of the tastemakers of his generation.