Published: October 29, 2009 1:07 AM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight November 2009 Edition
J.O
J.O
J.O is entering into the music industry with his own creative blend of Hip-Hop and Soul music that will make fans take notice of his diverse style. For those music lovers looking for something new, refreshing, original, and unique, the lyrical flow of J.O will take fans on a fantastic musical journey. In this recent spotlight with our Webzine, J.O speaks about his music and what has inspired him to pursue his dreams of being a Hip-Hop artist. Enjoy!
Isaac: We'd love to know about your inspirations growing up. I hear so many influences in your music. How old were you when you first discovered music? Is there any kind of musical history in your family?
J.O: Growing up, I was always attached to icons and legends, stories of greatness. I think that directly tied into the music, and that's what I try to reach for. So like, what inspired me was hearing stories of when Michael Jordan was cut from school and takes the game winning shot at Carolina when nobody expected him to and goes on the become this untouchable figure. I always envisioned myself being that or thinking about being that great or having that story behind me. I always found myself watching a movie of struggle and success and I would get wrapped up in it and put myself in that story, being a kid I knew eventually I would be doing something great.
Music has been an essential part of my life ever since I can remember. There is no musical history in my family that I know of, but there was always music around me. My parents always playing Sri Lankan music and then hearing everything my big brother and sister played, it left me an all around individual when it came to music.
My influences were, my family, and the people around me, just growing up and hearing the music that my brother and sister listened to it shaped me. It could go from; Boys to Men, Tupac, Michael Jackson, Kanye to Cyndi Lauper to Journey, to Alanis Morrisette to Tribe Called Quest, I always had a different soundtrack to my life.
Isaac: What drew you to pick up a mic in the first place?
J.O: I went out east to visit my bro and a friend of his was starting to record, he gave me a few beats and asked if we would like to jump on. At this point, I had been writing poems and raps for a while and from that point on, I knew that this was something I wanted to pursue. I came back home and hit it full force, writing and recording at every chance I could. It was then I realized the love I had for it.
Isaac: As you hit your teenage years, did you know that this was what you would be doing for the rest of your life?
J.O: I think it was through these years that the idea was cultivating, but it didn't really hit me until I was about 20. That's when I really knew that this was going to be my life.
Isaac: Is there a performer in any genre of pop culture that you would like to work with?
J.O: Hands downs, Kanye West. I followed his career before he was the ultra superstar and I feel more attached to his music because of it. He is our Marvin Gaye, he is our Quincy Jones, he is our Stevie, our Michael Our Lennon, he is the genius that Jay Z dubbed him to be and I truly feel that his passion for music and his ability to take pain and turn it into art is incredible.
Isaac: Who are some musicians that you really like, present or past?
J.O: I still listen to the legends. Tupac has always been in my life, but as I grew up, I started to branch out. Now I feel like I hear music in a different way. I love Motown, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye. R&B, and soul, new to old. I love old rock like the Beatles, Journey, Jimmy Hendrix, Elton John and the classics. Hip-Hop wise, as I stated in my lyrics, I was influences by Ye and Jay, raised by Big and Pac. I'm a product of the golden era of hip hop and I've grown to understand and to love both the mainstream and the underground culture. When I compare my music, I'm comparing it to the Greats. I never sell myself short and I feel like one day, I will be one of their peers.
Isaac: What is your ultimate goal with your music career?
J.O: My ultimate goal is to make music that lasts. Aside from hit records, aside from sales and aside from everything else, I want music that will stand. The music that has emotion that will always have the people's ears and I feel like making great music will sustain a great fan base. I'm not a preacher by any means, but if I can help people with my songs then I feel like I've accomplished something, I know how important music was for me as I grew up and changed, so hopefully I can make music that means that much to others.
Isaac: What has been some of the obstacles it has taken to get this far in your career?
J.O: I think the biggest obstacle has been myself. Growing up, all you hear is what everyone else wants you to do and what everyone else thinks is right. So when you realize that you want something different, it's hard to makes sense of it because no one ever told you to do what you feel is right and no one tells you to follow what your heart is telling you to do. You constantly hear this voice at the back of your head, telling you what you can't do, so it takes strength to be able to move past that and bring to light what you can do.
J.O
Isaac: Would you recommend this "field" to others who are aspiring to be musicians like you?
J.O: I recommend anything that brings passion and fulfills the soul. I think the biggest part of music, hip-hop music especially, is that you have to love it and you have to be honest in your love for it because, it's so easy to come off as insincere. I think that the people, who don't love it, are the people that can't maintain in the industry. So I would say to anyone, do what you love and what makes you happy, because that it what you will do the best.
Isaac: Describe one piece of advice you've have been given to by others in the music industry.
J.O: Success does not come easy or often.
Isaac: What genre of music do you consider most of your music?
J.O: My music is Hip-Hop but, you'll hear a lot of melody which is the R&B side of me coming out.
Isaac: What has been your favorite piece of work?
J.O: Probably my recent compilation "Today's special." That whole recording process helped me to evolve as an artist. In particular, I enjoyed working on the song "Brighter Side" because it took me out of my element and put me in someone else's comfort zone, but I feel like I still excelled and that makes me feel like I can do things beyond hip hop and become a versatile artist.
Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
Isaac: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
J.O: I would like to shout out my family, especially my big brother who has been on the ride with music for a while. Shout out to Jeff Lopez, Bob Deutscher (a.k.a A Static), Duncan Patterson (a.k.a Architext), Jessica Savage, Noel Castillo, Denise Celestino, Dave Renz, Adam Van Gool, Anthony Louison and everybody who has supported Create Fresh Muse-Ic and myself. Thank You!
Isaac: Any last words?
J.O: I would like to thank Junior's Cave for interviewing me and offering me this platform to speak about the music. This is my love, my art, my passion, and I'm going to do it to the fullest everyday. Welcome to the bright light...Peace and Inspiration to everybody.
