Josey (singer) Biography: Parents, Age, Husband, Net Worth, Songs, Albums, Kids, Height

Biography

Josey, born Priscille Josée Gnakrou on June 29, 1989, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, is a renowned Ivorian singer and songwriter.

She began singing in church at the age of eight and later gained prominence in 2012 by finishing second in the Castel Live Opera talent competition.

Blending genres such as coupé-décalé, afro-zouk, contemporary R&B, soul, afro-dance, and Congolese rumba, Josey has become one of Africa’s most celebrated female artists.

Her breakthrough hits include “Diplôme” (which earned her a Kundé d’Or for Best West African Artist), “Koba” (featuring DJ Arafat), “On Fait Rien Avec Ça,” “Zambeleman,” and more recent tracks like those from her albums Cocktail (2021), Phoenix EP (2022), and Vibration Universelle (2024).

She has also served as a judge on The Voice Afrique francophone and continues to captivate audiences with her powerful vocals and vibrant Afro-fusion sound.

Ivorian singer and songwriter
Josey
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Priscille Josée Gnakrou
Stage Name:	Josey
Born:	29 June 1990 (age 35 years old)
Place of Birth:	Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Nationality:	Ivorian
Education:	École Nationale d’Administration
Height:	N/A
Parents:	Gnakrou Dieudonné, Boni Georgette
Siblings:	N/A
Spouse:	Not Married
Boyfriend • Partner:	Geoffroy Serey Dié (2015-)
Children:	2
Occupation:	Singer • Songwriter
Net Worth:	$10 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Josey, born Priscille Josée Gnakrou on June 29, 1989, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, is a Christian who grew up in a devout family environment that shaped her early musical journey.

She is of mixed Godié and Avikam ethnicity, with her roots tracing back to the southwestern region of Côte d’Ivoire—her father, Gnakrou Dieudonné, hails from the Godié community in the area around Fresco (Zegban), while her mother, Boni Georgette, traces her heritage to Avikam.

Her family background reflects traditional Ivorian values, with her father serving as a gendarme (later retiring) and her mother as a nurse, instilling discipline and a strong work ethic in the household. Josey is the eldest of several siblings.

Her passion for music began at a young age within the Christian faith. At just 8 years old, she performed live in her church, the Église de Jésus-Christ des saints des derniers jours (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), where she first discovered her vocal talent through gospel and choir singing. This religious upbringing played a key role in nurturing her voice and stage presence.

During her teenage years in high school, Josey explored music further by joining a rap group called Quarantaine (also known as 40T’N) with friends, experimenting with rap before shifting her focus to singing. She performed at local venues such as the Acoustique cabaret in Abidjan, building her confidence and local following.

Despite her growing love for music, her parents initially hesitated about it as a full-time career, preferring a more stable path. Her father, in particular, emphasized education and wanted music to remain a passion rather than a primary profession.

Josey respected this by pursuing higher education at the prestigious École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) in Côte d’Ivoire, where she studied public administration and successfully graduated. After obtaining her diploma, she made the bold decision to dedicate herself fully to her music career.

Josey has occasionally shown appreciation for her family, including bringing her parents onstage during concerts to share moments of pride and gratitude with her fans.

Career

Josey, whose real name is Priscille Josée Gnakrou, began her music career after graduating from the École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) in Côte d’Ivoire. She chose to pursue singing, even though her family preferred she take a more traditional job.

Her big break came in 2012 when she finished second in the Castel Live Opera talent competition with a cover of Delta Groupe‘s “Sapiou,” which brought her recognition across Africa. This led to early collaborations, such as her features on Tour 2 Garde‘s “J’veux M’en Aller” in 2012 and the hit “Chéri(e) Tu Me Saoules” with Kil’Heur and Rikwane in 2013.

In January 2014, she released her first solo maxi-single, “On Fait Rien Avec Ça,” a song dedicated to women that became a major success throughout the continent. She continued to build her career with songs like “Abidjan la Joie” with DJ Bonano and “Koba” with DJ Arafat later that year.

In 2015, her song “Diplôme,” which talks about wanting commitment, became a hit and earned her the Kundé d’Or for Best West African Artist in 2016. This helped establish her as a leading voice for women’s empowerment in Ivorian music.

She went on to release more popular songs, including “You Galoh” in 2016, “Nagniouma,” “Jour J-0,” and “La Vérité” with 2Boyz, showing her mix of coupé-décalé, afro-zouk, R&B, soul, afro-dance, and Congolese rumba.

Starting in 2018, Josey became a coach on The Voice Afrique Francophone, mentoring new artists. Her music catalog grew with the 17-track album Cocktail in 2021, which included collaborations with Afro B and Bonigo, and the Phoenix EP in 2022.

In 2024, she released her second studio album, Vibration Universelle, featuring songs like “Double Jeu,” “Je te kala pas,” and the award-winning “Tout laisse,” which won Song of the Year at the 2024 Jayli Awards and received Gold certifications from Africa Music & Charts (AMC).

Her recent work includes songs like “Le Monde Est à Nous,” “Ne touche pas ma sœur” with Nej, “6 Devient 9,” and her 2025 album RÉSONANCE, featuring “Les Jaloux,” “Rien du Tout,” and “Les Juges.”

Josey has won many awards, including several Jayli Awards for Best Ivorian Female Artist and Best West African Female Artist in 2024, Best Artist – Francophone Africa at the 2025 Trace Awards, and recognition at events like AFRIMA and the Headies.

Social Media

• Facebook: Josey (@Joseyofficial)
• YouTube: josey
• Instagram: Josey (@josey_officiel)

Personal Life

Josey (Priscille Josée Gnakrou), born on June 29, 1989, is 35 years old.

She has been in a long-term relationship with retired Ivorian international footballer Geoffroy Serey Dié since at least 2015, with the couple frequently referred to as married in media reports and social media posts from 2025 onward, though no official confirmation of a wedding has been widely detailed.

Their partnership, which began amid public controversy over Serey Dié’s prior marriage (from which he has five children and was separated), has produced two children—one born in December 2015 and the other in May 2022.

Josey maintains a private stance on her personal life, with no documented previous marriages or publicly known dating history before her relationship with Serey Dié.

Net Worth

Josey (Priscille Josée Gnakrou), the celebrated Ivorian singer, has built a substantial net worth through her successful music career, live performances, brand endorsements, and streaming success.

Her estimated net worth stands at approximately $10 million (around 6 billion CFA francs), placing her among the top-earning female artists in Francophone West Africa.

Her wealth primarily stems from hit singles and albums like “Diplôme,” “Tout laisse,” and “Vibration Universelle” (certified Gold by Africa Music & Charts), which have amassed hundreds of millions of streams on platforms such as Spotify and YouTube. High-profile collaborations with artists like DJ Arafat, Afro B, and Nej, along with consistent chart dominance and awards—including multiple Jayli Awards and a Trace Award—have boosted her earning potential through royalties, concert fees, and international tours.

Additional income comes from her role as a coach on The Voice Afrique Francophone, lucrative brand partnerships in the beauty and fashion sectors, and investments tied to her rising status in African entertainment.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Cocktail (2021) — her debut full-length album with 17 tracks, featuring empowering anthems like “Zambeleman” (with Bonigo), “Donne Moi ton love” (with Afro B), “À nos amis,” and others that marked her major breakthrough.
• Vibration Universelle (2024) — her second studio album (13 tracks), certified Gold by Africa Music & Charts, including massive hits such as “Tout laisse,” “Double jeu,” “Je te kala pas,” “Décrocher la lune,” “Soyons fous” (featuring Mary Jo), “Démarrage” (featuring Didi B), “Prends courage,” “Deux Capis” (featuring Hiro), and “C’est mon année” (featuring Innoss’B).
• RÉSONANCE (2025) — her latest album (12 tracks), released in November 2025, showcasing her evolving sound with tracks like “Témoignage,” “Le monde est à nous,” “Molo Molo,” “Autour du Feu,” “Changer la Donne,” “Focus,” “Ambiance toi Doucement,” “Woman King (T’as Capté),” “Les Jaloux,” “6 Devient 9,” and “Rien du Tout.”

EP

• Phoenix (2022) — a pivotal project that bridged her earlier singles and later albums, highlighting her artistic rebirth and versatility.

Notable Singles and Maxi-Singles

many became viral hits, chart-toppers, or award-winners, often released standalone or as leads

• Early breakthroughs: “On Fait Rien Avec Ça” (2014), “Koba” (featuring DJ Arafat, 2014), “Diplôme” (2015 – Kundé d’Or winner), “You Galoh” (2016), “Nagniouma,” “Jour J-0,” “La Vérité” (featuring 2Boyz).
• Mid-career standouts: “Espoir” (2020), “Ma moitié,” “Vendeur d’illusions” (2017), “Je te kala pas” (2023), “VENEZ BOUGER” (2023), “Tout laisse” (2023 – multi-award winner).
• Recent releases: “Le Monde Est à Nous” (2025), “Ne touche pas ma sœur” (featuring Nej), “6 Devient 9” (2025), “Faux pas” (2025), “Rien du Tout” (2026), “AMBÉ TOLOUNKÊH,” “Good Vibz,” “Focus,” “Les Juges,” “Woman King (T’as Capté),” and others.

What People Ask