Africa-Press – Malawi. Malawian music fans on Saturday marked the birthday of popular singer, songwriter, and producer Joe Ikon, but celebrations quickly shifted from cake and candles to a spirited social media debate over the artist’s real age.
Joe Ikon, born Joseph Chintapasa, trended widely on Facebook after major entertainment pages posted conflicting birthday messages, leaving fans both confused and entertained as they tried to figure out whether the artist was turning 23 or 24, or something else entirely.
The confusion began when Akometsi, one of Malawi’s leading entertainment pages, wished the artist a “Happy 23rd Birthday Joe Ikon”.
Shortly after, Mikozi published a separate post celebrating him as having turned 24. Umatha Daily added to the uncertainty with a message reading: “Happy 24th Birthday Atate Joe iKon.”
The debate intensified when Tamia Ja described the artist as “very young, only 23 years old,” but accompanied the caption with a photograph that many fans felt portrayed someone far older than his early twenties.
Comment sections across the pages quickly filled with jokes and speculation. Some fans openly questioned the accuracy of the ages being shared, while others turned the moment into comedy.
“Amalawi ndkubisa zaka,” wrote Zoobeakiss Zubair Ausi, suggesting that Malawians often hide their age.
Royal Tumbuka added humorously, “He uses Ethiopian calendar.”Others highlighted the contradictions between the posts.
“Mikozi say 24 years, Akometsi mukuti 23 years ndye timve zit,” commented Austin Dan Siliya. Some fans went further, offering their own estimates.“
Should be 32,” wrote Vinnie Billy, while Peter C Kapeni sarcastically asked, “23 as in 33??” Remarks such as “The guy looks 30,” “Bro looks 40,” and “A very young man in an old man’s body” appeared repeatedly, with Thaddeus Mukonda joking that the singer was “41.5 years” old.
Several fans suggested the situation reflects a familiar trend in the entertainment industry, where celebrity ages often become a mystery.
“Any celebrity here never gets old… someone celebrates his 24th birthday in four consecutive years,” one commenter joked, while another summed it up as “Football age.”
As of publication, Joe Ikon had not publicly clarified his age, opting instead to let the jokes, memes and birthday wishes flow.
Despite the debate, his growing impact on Malawi’s music scene remains undisputed.
Joe Ikon rose to fame in 2024 with his breakout song Sekelera and later released the hit Ndafika under Madness Entertainment, owned by Jaa Kev.
Happy birthday, Joe Ikon, whatever the number may be.
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