THE PERSONAL GLASS CEILING

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO BE DEDICATED TO YOUR CRAFT?

Focusing on what makes me happy. I really am trying to learn how to not be white, soft, and perfect anymore. I believe growing up in a predominantly white space all my life made me feel like I had to fit in those boxes. Those are the expectations that I think of when I think about me becoming something in this world. It left me at a standstill of like OK, I can either go out and live a life that looks good on paper, and I’m miserable or choose to walk a path that is full of integrity.

WHEN DID YOU REALIZE IT WAS TIME TO BE FULLY DEDICATED TO MUSIC?

It was around 2018 that I started to really focus on writing consistently, and coming up with more conceptual projects for my music.

Joko standing inside Human Heart Studios in Cleveland, OH

HOW DOES YOUR UPBRINGING INFLUENCE YOUR ARTISTRY?

My background was pretty diverse. Early 2000 disco scene, house music, club music, 70s funk rock. I had a white mom and a black dad so I grew up between you know, LINKIN PARK and OutKast and everything in between. That has influenced the way I see music , the way I hear it, and the way I write it.