Joseph
Hookin' Up R&B
By: PJ Pitcher (Posted By: Bear Frazer)
Last updated May 18th , 2009

In the age of dime-a-dozen R&B acts, it takes more than a sellable smile to achieve success on the charts. There are plenty of singers who can't dance and dancers who can't sing with number one singles, but multi-talented acts are few and far between. Joseph, a child of the 80's born in Tifton, Georgia, is one of the rare exceptions whose talents aren't determined by the sound tech in the studio.                   

Music has played a huge part in Joseph's life since childhood. "I remember at birthday parties and family reunions we would have a family talent show," he said. "I always had a natural ear for music; as a kid I would hear a song on the radio and instantly be able to mimic the melody and arrangement even if I didn't know all the lyrics." That innate sense of melody and the encouragement of his neighborhood turned Joseph onto pursuing song more seriously. "Boy you sound just like the radio," friends and family would tell him.                 

Joseph continued to hone his skills throughout school with the support of his teachers. "I was always singing or dancing and could never keep still," he said, so they pushed him to pursue his passion. After winning second place at a junior high school talent show and seeing the reaction from the crowd, he knew then that music was his destiny. While his cousins once scoffed at his high-pitched voice, the results of the talent show quickly silenced the doubters, "I couldn't believe the squeaky voice that got laughed at also got a standing ovation from what seemed to be the entire school." Joseph loves to dance as much as he loves to sing, and he feels that it's a crucial aspect on-stage. "I feel dance is very important in a performance and it helps tell the story," he said, "I wouldn't say I'm the king of dance ... but yes, I can put it down on the dance floor."                 
Singing and dancing aside, Mr. Joseph is also a songwriter, and his lyrical talents are prevalent on his debut album, Hook It Up. Joseph credits production on the album to Orlando super-producer Mickey Bono, who Joseph said also collaborated on some lyrics. "Mickey would create these sick and crazy tracks and being an 80s baby I loved his twist and style on just about every one of them," Joseph said. Between Joseph's affinity for Bono's style and Bono's talents as a producer, the songs came together easily. "Most of the time I would just write the song, lay down the vocals and the next time I came to the studio he'd have a totally completed song that sounded like nothing it started out to be but was for sure a hot product," Joseph said. Production group The Insomniax added two remixes to Hook It Up, and the artist said "they are some of the hottest producers to touch a sound board."                 

Joseph shows no signs of slowing down as he plans a tour for this summer and prepares to launch his next single from Hook It Up, "Your Love Still Haunts Me." Hook It Up is a solid album dedicated to having fun on the dance floor, and that's exactly what Joseph was trying to accomplish. "I love to dance and I feel music should take you to that feel-good place," he said, "I wanted to give people that all-over, feel-good vibe." Joseph says to expect more great music from him in the future, including collaborations with other artists and producers. "You might even hear a Joseph and Lenny Kravitz collaboration, who knows," he said.                     

All things aside, Joseph vows to stay true to this music, "No mater what, I promise whatever it may be, it'll definitely be me."        

 

[Tags] Feature, R&B