Published: Thursday - May 3, 2007
Words by Melanie J. Cornish
Joe (Photo: Jive Records)
There are some names that possess certain credibility throughout the musical world in which they feature. Names that come with a clean bill of health have the ability to mix and match with a multitude of performers exuding nothing but professionalism and a hot product. As one of the R&B staples at Jive records, this Southern gent has constantly kept his suitcase packed and his shoes on as touring has been huge component of his musical personality. With a die hard fan base in Japan, Joe explained to Ballerstatus.com that even if he isn't out on the road promoting an album, he gets to Japan a couple of times a year to satiate the appetites of his Asian fan base.
Joe has constantly mixed it up on his albums, infusing them with hip-hop and the new one is no different -- Papoose, Nas and Young Buck all stopping by to add a verse or two. Rumors had circulated about the vocalist signing to G Unit after appearing on "Ride Wit U," but having his feet firmly situated at Jive where he has been since '96, Joe shrugged off the rumors in this interview.
His new album, Ain't Nothing Like Me, houses production from all the names associated with R&B today and Joe is heavily promoting on the radio right now before embarking on a world tour. With his last four albums picking up a metal disc of some kind, it is highly unlikely that this one won't do the same.
With his "If I Was Your Man" in heavy rotation, Joe is as always reaching out and gently assuring his female fans that he still is the man who will, as he himself states in this interview, comically biting his own cliché, "treat her like a lady."
In this exclusive interview, Joe talks longevity, business and radio, re-affirming that there is no one like him.
Ballerstatus.com: You have your new album out...
Joe: Yeah, it is called, Ain't Nothing Like Me. I took it back to basics with the title. You know, why try to search for a title for this album? It is plain and simple. So, I took it back to the essence of what I do -- R&B. And I have been in the game for 14 years, so I think I am accomplished enough in the King of R&B spot.
Ballerstatus.com: It's been a while since we had an album from you.
Joe: Yeah the last album came out in 2004 and that took me on tour overseas for a little while and then here in the States as well. I was on the road for a year and I just kind of took time off to do some other things and I worked on the album for a year and a half. I just involved myself in some other things; some outside deals.
Ballerstatus.com: A year and a half to work on an album is a long time. What are we in store for with this album?
Joe: Definitely quality and I took that time to make sure I covered all bases for my core audience -- those that truly love R&B music. I wanted to give that exciting good music that still has that intimate vibe to it as well.
Ballerstatus.com: Even though we didn't see any solo Joe joints in the last couple of years, you did the hooks with G-Unit and you were on the joint with Papoose last year. Was that hoping to achieve a cross over audience per say?
Joe: Well, I have always been involved with it, just mixing it up. My first song ever was called "I'm In Love" and it had a Jamaican artist on it. In 93, I also worked with Mystikal and Big Pun. I have been a fan of hip-hop since I was 12-13 years old, back when Eric B and Rakim put out Paid In Full. I am a fan of it. All these different cats that I have been working with, like 50, he wanted to do a record with me for G-Unit and that is how that came about.
Ballerstatus.com: There was actually a rumor circulating that you were signing to G-Unit at one point though, wasn't there?
Joe: Yeah, I mean, it is crazy how rumors start. It is like they tap into something and then make it into what they seem to think it is, that's what rumors are.
Ballerstatus.com: You have been at Jive since 96. Jive is infamous for its R&B; people always seem to be jumping ship. What is it about Jive? Is it that they have the formula so right?
Joe: You know what it is; they build just like any other company would. They started out with hip-hop and then they had a little bit of pop and R&B with Billy Ocean and those guys back in the day. They have always been in the now and they keep it -- Backstreet Boys, Britney, N'Sync and me and R Kelly have always been there. Me since 96 and he as been there since 90. They went through some changes in the last four or five years, but it is moving forward and that is what business is all about.
Ballerstatus.com: Markets have a lot to do with that don't they? I mean have you found that being that you haven't put anything out for a while that the market is different now?
Joe: That depends on the artist themselves, as a lot of new artists that are around, it makes a lot of sense to connect with where the music is going, you know, put in your flavor. You have to understand that when new generations come along, we have to cater. You have to cater no matter what business you are in, but you should never lose what or who you are. You need to keep with that.
Ballerstatus.com: Was that always something you were dead set on doing -- staying true, regardless of pressure from external forces etc, which a lot of artists face in the early days of their careers?
Joe: I really can't help it. I look at it as something that is very easy to do. You can get blinded by a lot of the glitz and glamour in the industry; you know, "this is what I got to do." But as long as you never let go of who you are, you can still be the guy on top, the guy with 30-40 billion dollars. You know, you get people who would run their company and then sell them for $3-$4 million dollars and remain the same guy, which is incredible.
Ballerstatus.com: Do you think that comes from your upbringing?
Joe: Absolutely. You can learn from other people and have mentors, be inspired by others and it definitely helps as you learn to appreciate that.
Ballerstatus.com: Some people come into the game without forces like that. Do you believe it is paramount to have that force behind you to be successful?
Joe: Yes, because it keeps you grounded. If you get caught around certain people, you have to know what certain circle to be around, what people to trust. If you don't have that by being taught right when you are coming up. Don't speak to everyone, this you learn coming up through lie, the sense of security, being secure about yourself, and being secure with the others around you. It is just growing and growing.
Ballerstatus.com: You are on a radio tour now.
Joe: Yeah, I have been on a radio tour for the last month and a half, and it has been a lot of fun. I have been getting a lot of love out there. I sometimes feel that I am one of those old school artists, living in my generation as they really come out and show the love like that.
Ballerstatus.com: Is radio still as viable as it was with all the cases of payola?
Joe: Of course, it is up to what we put out, as long as it is good enough for the new generation. What you have to understand is if they play a record and they get call backs, if people didn't call them saying they had to play the record, it would just fall through. If not enough people are calling through for a record that they are playing, it is a whole other thing. You do have a lot of people that do call in for the records that they like and that is what it takes. When it comes to having that "cater to fit," the songs that fit the format.
Ballerstatus.com: You are also doing a tour overseas as well as the US with a few dates in the UK and then a whole lot of dates in Japan. You must have a huge fan base in Japan, do you?
Joe: I have been going to Japan since 1995 and I was brought over there and it is jut incredible. I have been going there at least two or three times a year. Japan is a beautiful place. I have been all around the world and I try to learn as much as I can.
Ballerstatus.com: Japan is considered one of the politest countries in the world and they are so appreciative of music there, in your opinion why is that?
Joe: Really, I haven't figured that out as it still amazes me even now when I go over there and perform and see the appreciation, the whole "thank you for coming attitude" they show. They really appreciate American acts over there and that is why I will always go there, even if I have an album out or not.
Ballerstatus.com: Is that your house where the video for "If I Was Your Man" was shot?
Joe: Oh wow, that is actually the owner of Clear Channel's house out in California. A lot people think that it is my crib, as the kitchen is the same color and looks exactly like mine. So when people who have been to my house before see the video, they try to make the connection too.
Ballerstatus.com: Can you cook, talking of kitchens?
Joe: Yeah I can, but I have a chef.
Ballerstatus.com: You obviously don't spend that much time at home though do you?
Joe: No, not at all, as I am out on the road so much and that is pretty much how my life has been for the past 13 years, so I am kind of used to it.
Ballerstatus.com: When people get into the game, they don't understand what it actually involves when it comes to spending so much time on the road. Did you expect to be out on the road as much as you have been?
Joe: Oh no, that is life changing. It is a humbling experience at the same time and it is very exciting, but there have been times when I have wished to have been home with a wife and kids. But then, I have time for that, no need to rush into that.
Ballerstatus.com: Well you brought it up, so I am going to touch on this as I am sure your female fans will like to know, but what would you do "if you were their man?"
Joe: What would I do? I would treat them like a lady.
Ballerstatus.com: Bit of self promotion there?
Joe: Yeah (laughing). I would do everything their ex didn't do.
Ballerstatus.com: You said you were working on some other side projects, what have you been getting involved with?
Joe: I have been building with business guys outside the music industry -- in fashion, in the alcohol industry. Not just endorsements, but establishing companies.
Ballerstatus.com: Have you found that you get to a point in your musical career where you are a solid artist who sells gold or platinum, when you get there, do you feel it is time to move into other stuff?
Joe: That is exactly it. When you do make money with your album sales, you know you have a great year, you don't want to go out and blow it, you want to invest it and that is very important. Artists before us and the executives and family have all been telling us, parents have always told us. It is important to invest and that in turn helps make it easier. You don't have to be doing this and doing that.
Ballerstatus.com: Were you wise with your money in the beginning as a lot of people make that mistake with their signing bonus.
Joe: Oh yeah, I mean, I was always a real estate guy and I have been doing that for a long time and that is one of the smartest things you can do as any individual, who is trying to have some sort of business.
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