Published: Thursday - July 26, 2007
Words by Candace Simmons
Jozeemo (Photo: Hall of Justus Music Group)
Joseph Murdock III, better known as, Jozeemo, a.k.a. Joe Murda, a.k.a. Joe Melody, understands the power of the pseudonym and its ability to allow an artist to show all of their layers equally, in an industry intent on categorization. Jozeemo, who now calls North Carolina home, is originally from Southside Chicago and has made a name for himself as a fierce battle rapper, an "unlikely" addition to Hall of Justus, and unfortunately, even a felon. But since his release, after serving two years in prison for possession of a firearm, Jozeemo has quickly moved forward with his music.
His highly anticipated fall release, L.A.F., is testament to his past and a cautionary tale to others that may be headed down the same path of fast living. But like T.I. will tell you, "be clear," you may have heard a similar story, but you never heard it told quite like this -- equal parts gangsta, humble, humorous, blunt and lyrical all the way through.
Jozeemo took time from what he jokingly referred to as "daddy daycare" (watching his daughter and three nieces) to talk to Ballerstatus.com about his relationship with money, his freestyle abilities and paying homage to Little Brother.
Ballerstatus.com: You just celebrated a birthday, right?
Jozeemo: Yes.
Ballerstatus.com: Happy Belated! So that makes you a Gemini. Do you have twin personalities?
Jozeemo: (Laughing) Yes, and you can hear it in my music. I have the light-hearted side and the gangsta stuff. You can definitely hear both sides of me on the album.
Ballerstatus.com: Speaking of your debut album, L.A.F., what can we expect from it?
Jozeemo: It's all about the music now. My life was moving too fast and out of control. When I got locked up, it wasn't for something I didn't do, it wasn't a case of mistaken identity. I got locked up for things I did do, and I paid the price. When I thought about it, I was even taking my kids for granted because things I do can negatively affect my family. But I slowed down, so it's good now. This album is about all of that.
Ballerstatus.com: The song "Mr. Franklin" is about money, but what made you write it the way you did?
Jozeemo: It's basically told as a story about my relationship with money and all the things money can get for you. The people and situations are represented by dead presidents. Coming up, I did illegal stuff to get acquainted with money and now it's different. It's a rendition of my life story jammed into one song.
Ballerstatus.com: Okay, what's the most personal song on L.A.F.?
Jozeemo: It's a song called "Hold On" and it's sung by my alter ego, Joe Melody. It's about how things may seem bad, but there's always light at the end of the tunnel. It's a feel good song, and it's a reflection of everything I came from and everything I'm doing now.
Ballerstatus.com: So you can sing too?
Jozeemo: (Laughing) I ain't no Jahiem!
Ballerstatus.com: Ok that's fair, but you can definitely freestyle. How did you get started with that?
Jozeemo: Well, actually in high school [in NC] since I was from out of town, I wasn't getting any love. So I tried to battle and the dude crushed me. I was completely embarrassed. So I took a week to get my stuff together and I came back, and won. From there, I got my rhyme style together and my freestyling, and that was that.
Ballerstatus.com: What was it like moving from the Southside of Chicago to North Carolina?
Jozeemo: I moved in 1990 and it was a big transition moving from a big city to a small town called Fuguay-Varina, that was before [moving to] Durham. But my grandparents lived in Durham and I would go up there all the time. They tried to keep me sheltered, but it didn't work. East Durham was pretty bad too with guns, violence and everything else.
Ballerstatus.com: So how did you get with Hall of Justus?
Jozeemo: I met Little Brother at a music conference freestyle battle. They were judging. This was 2003. Then 9th Wonder saw me at a show. He saw the energy and amount of people I brought. We did a track. He became a supporter. I found out Joe Scudda and I went to the same high school. He put in a word. They reached out to me when I got locked up and when I came home, Big Dho kept his word and put me on.
Ballerstatus.com: It's cool the way North Carolina artists seem to stick together. But do you ever get tired of people talking about your affiliation with Little Brother?
Jozeemo: No, because I have to pay homage to Little Brother because they gave me a look. They brought me to the light with publicity and all. I mean, I had a look before them, but they brought me to a broader audience. And who really helps to drive me are Pauly Snubnoze and Nadya. They both give me a lot of encouragement. Snubnoze is my manager and Nadya is more like a publicist, but she does everything else really. That's my homegirl. They give me good insight and tell me about my mistakes. Because I know I'm not perfect, so I take constructive criticism very well.
Ballerstatus.com: That's good to know. What's something else that the public may not know about you or have the wrong perception about?
Jozeemo: Well, no one really knows me, so people think I'm a gangsta, a thug or just another felon, but that ain't me. I'm a family man. I'm a good guy and I don't even consider myself a rapper. I just make good music. I'm an artist at heart.
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