Jo Jo | Interview (2004)

Aries (T M H): Are you nervous about coming out at such an early age?
JoJo: I would say not really, I've been working for this my whole life really. Now it's just paying off and I'm excited about what's ahead.

Aries (T M H): Which singer has influenced you the most?
JoJo: Well when I was younger and coming up I would say Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Whitney Houston. Really a diverse group of singers. Now I'm really into hip-hop and more R&B. I would say Ludacris and Kanye West definitely.

Aries (T M H): Being signed to Blackground, did you ever have the pleasure of meeting Aaliyah, if so did she offer you any advice as a new artist?
JoJo: No unfortunately I was signed to Blackground after Aaliyah passed. I never got the chance to meet her. Aaliyah definitely had an effect on me and my career, she was signed at 14 also. Barry (Hankerson) is basically using a lot of the same formula they used to break Aaliyah with me.

Aries (T M H): Tell me about your appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show?
JoJo: (laughs) Oh my God, I was so young. They aired a video that I had recorded. I never actually did the show. They saw me on Kids Say the Darndest Things On The Road In Boston & made a call to get me on the show.

Aries (T M H): What kind of role do your parents play in your career?
JoJo: Well my mom is my manager and my dad has always been very supportive.

Aries (T M H): You worked with a variety of producers for your project, who did you enjoy working with the most?
JoJo: Oh my god, I would say The Underdogs, they did the song you're listening to right now (Never Say). I had so much fun with them. We would stay up late just clowning. We had a secret handshake (laughs).

Aries (T M H): You're also a writer, being so young were you ever worried the label wouldn't take your writing serious?
JoJo: Yeah, I mean that's the thing when you're young a lot of older people don't think you have anything to say. I have a lot of views and things that I deal with on a daily, so it was hard and still is to prove myself as a writer.

Aries (T M H): Your cover of SWV's "Weak" has to be without one of the best covers I've ever heard, what made you want to record it?
JoJo: Wow, thank you. Actually Vincent Herbert who co-executive produced my album came up with the idea of me recording it. He picked the perfect song. Brian Morgan who did SWV's version also produced it and he told me stories about how when Coko first recorded it, how she wanted it to be perfect. It fits me well because I am going through things like that, like my first love and all those things that come with it.

Aries (T M H): What's next for JoJo?
JoJo: Hopefully world domination (laughs). There are no set dates as of yet but I will be hitting the road soon. I've been doing some radio shows, I did one for Wild 98 in Tampa a few weeks ago. I was the only singer and the only female, everybody else was hip-hop. The show went great! People in the crowd were singing the song and screaming "sing it girl" (laughs). It was great!

Aries (T M H): What artists would you like to work with if any?
JoJo: Oh my god, Kanye West. I think he is so talented and incredible. I listen to his CD about 20 times a day (laughs). Justin Timberlake, he is very talented. Bow Wow because he is good looking (laughs) also because he is a good rapper. Toni Braxton who is my labelmate. We talked on the phone a few days ago and she said we would go out and have tea when she comes to New York.

Aries (T M H): Any last words for your fans?
JoJo: Yes, please go visit my website jojoonline.com, thanks for all your support.