The Soft-Spoken Rebellion of Almst Joey

Getting on the Zoom call less than a minute after the scheduled time for his interview, Almst Joey appeared on screen looking like a neo-Pan-African prince — dungarees hanging loosely over his frame, cowries wrapped around semi-freeform dreadlocks, and countless rings sitting heavily across his fingers. It is an aesthetic he later describes as “earthy”, but even before he explains it, the visual identity already says enough. Behind him, One Piece played quietly on a screen, almost unintentionally completing the picture. There is a deliberate ruggedness to him, a freedom that feels both culturally rooted and slightly rebellious.

Raised between Bariga and Abule-Oja in a regular Christian Nigerian household and educated through model colleges before studying Estate Management at the University of Lagos, Almst Joey carries himself like someone moulded by structure and escape. Anime, raves, gym sessions, gaming, heartbreak, women, loss, and the chaos of Lagos life all bleed naturally into his music, which he calls “written intimacy”. Across a conversation that moved from his “music or die trying” turning point to the intentionality behind his sparse releases, the artist born Osagie Joey Ekunwe spoke with the same calm confidence that defines his records: soft-spoken, reflective, but certain about the world he is slowly building around the name Almst Joey. 

Who is Almst Joey beyond the music, and what kind of environment shaped him growing up?

Almst Joey: I grew up in a regular Christian Nigerian household, but I definitely wasn’t a choirboy. I attended two model colleges—one in Badagry and another in Ikorodu—before studying Estate Management at the University of Lagos. I split my upbringing between Bariga and Abule-Oja. Outside music, I spend a lot of time watching anime, going to the gym, attending raves, and playing games.

How would you describe your personal style, given the Pan-African aesthetic you present?

Almst Joey: My style is laid-back and earthy. I’m into cowries, dungarees, jewellery, and accessories that paint a picture of freedom. My hair is semi-freeform dreadlocks, I only redo them once or twice a year. It’s a “Dada” style to me.

What course did you study at the University of Lagos?

Almst Joey: I studied Estate Management. It’s obviously very different from music, but real estate just wasn’t for me.

When did you discover music, and when did you decide to pursue it professionally?

Almst Joey: I’ve always loved music. I started writing from a very young age, and at first I was naturally drawn to rap because that was the dominant sound then and around me. At some point in my life, though, it became a “music or die trying” situation for me. I started saving money, negotiating payment plans with my producer just so I could record. That was when music stopped being casual and became completely serious.

What parts of your real-life experiences naturally find their way into your music?

Almst Joey: I love women. My love for women is a major theme in my music. Songs like “If I Delay” celebrate women artistically. I also draw from personal loss—I wrote a song about a friend who passed away, and it was difficult because I found out late. A lot of experiences from people around me also find their way into my lyrics. Sometimes I tell stories that aren’t directly mine but are stories I know deeply. Anime also feeds my imagination creatively.

How would you describe your sound to someone hearing it for the first time?

Almst Joey: I’d describe it as “written intimacy”. I take ordinary, everyday human interactions and emotions and turn them into music. My latest single, “Obimo”, is a good example — it’s about seeing a girl, being captivated by her, and everything that follows emotionally. My sound is really about emotional connection and relatability.

Is there a strategy behind the roughly one-single-per-year release spacing since your debut?

Almst Joey: Yes, it’s both strategic and intentional. My team and I planned it that way. Even during quiet periods publicly, I’ve been in the studio constantly—writing, meeting new producers, and building my catalogue. I’m definitely entering a phase where people will hear a lot more music from me.

Are upcoming releases going to be singles or a full project?

Almst Joey: A project is definitely coming. I can’t say exactly when yet, but there’ll probably be a few more singles before then. Or maybe I’ll just surprise everyone—like a jack-in-the-box.

What is more important to you at this stage—numbers, emotional connection, or artistic identity?

Almst Joey: Emotional connection comes first for me. I want my music to become part of people’s memories, the same way artists like Davido and Wizkid are tied to certain moments in people’s lives. Once people connect emotionally, they start understanding your artistic identity, and then the numbers follow naturally. Without connection, none of the rest matters.

Are there artists—Nigerian or global —whose approach to music or career building has influenced how you move?

Almst Joey: Definitely. I’m a big SAINt JHN fan. SAINt JHN influenced the way I think about vocal treatment. Wizkid inspires me with how calm and intentional he moves, while Davido inspires me with his work ethic and kindness. I’m also inspired by the rebellious energy of Benin artists like Rema and Shallipopi. The confidence of Burna Boy. Combining vocal artistry, intentionality, hard work, kindness, and rebellion—that’s the ideal blueprint for me.

Why did you choose to share your debut moment with Crayon, an already established artist?

Almst Joey: I released the original “If I Dey Lie” first, and it started gaining traction on TikTok. After that, I reached out to Crayon, he loved the song and jumped on it organically. It wasn’t some calculated debut strategy. A lot of OG fans still prefer the original version, but personally, I loved what Crayon added to the remix.

Is the ease and melodic sweetness across your records something cultivated intentionally or something that emerges naturally in the studio?

Almst Joey: It’s intentional. My sound has two sides. There’s the smooth, soft, soothing melodic side you hear on songs like “Obimo”, and then there’s a more urgent, upbeat, party-driven side which I teased on “Your Waist”. Both sides are deliberate expressions of who Almst Joey is. They’re two sides of the same coin.

In a saturated Nigerian music scene with many emerging acts, what will make you stand out long-term?

Almst Joey: Genuine connection with your community is what creates longevity. Music will always evolve, and artists will always be compared to one another, but what keeps you here is how deeply connected people feel to you. I want my fanbase, the Troops, to see me as more than just someone making good music—I want them to see me as a friend. Friends earn loyalty. That’s different from “jollof music” that gets quick excitement but fades away fast.

What do you think listeners most misunderstand about emerging artists today?

Almst Joey: People compare emerging artists to already established artists too quickly instead of actually listening to what the artist is trying to say. Every artist has their own voice, sound, and story, but people naturally try to connect new things to something familiar. That stops them from fully experiencing an artist’s individuality. Also, unsolicited advice from people who don’t fully understand your vision can become distracting.

What does success genuinely look like to you right now?

Almst Joey: Success for me is reaching 400 million streams, charting, selling out shows, and building my Troops into a global movement beyond Nigeria. But success is also relational for me. I want fans to approach me comfortably, like they’re meeting a friend, not some untouchable celebrity.

What have you not yet shown listeners about yourself?

Almst Joey: Everything people have heard so far is honestly just scratching the surface. They’ve heard the love music and glimpses of the upbeat side, but like an onion, there are still so many layers to my artistry that people haven’t seen yet. It’s like a universe I’m still building and painting.

What does Almst Joey want the name to represent in the future, and what is the significance of the spelling?

Almst Joey: It’s spelt A-L-M-S-T, not the regular “almost”. It’s a pun. I want the name to represent someone deeply grounded and authentic for the people—like a flag bearer. When they hear Almst Joey, they hear “Gbedu”. And it isn’t just about saying a jam is coming, but something culturally rooted and owned. I want people to feel like Almst Joey is their person.