Memphis, Tennessee native Jozzy started her music profession as a songwriter, working with quite a few well-known artists corresponding to Usher, Chris Brown, and Beyoncé. Nonetheless, Jozzy quickly realized that she wished to pursue a profession as a performer and started releasing her personal music. Together with her soulful voice and catchy melodies, Jozzy has rapidly gained a loyal fanbase and demanding approval for her work. However her origin story is clearly one written within the stars.
Jozzy was grinding in her hometown as a songwriter earlier than she bought the prospect of a lifetime. Initially requested to remain in Miami for per week with a protégé of Timbaland earlier than settling there completely, she would finally absorb recreation from the super-producer alongside Missy Elliott. This led to Jozzy’s first main placement on Monica’s eighth studio album Code Purple the place she helped pen tracks together with the titular observe and lead single “Simply Proper for Me” that includes Lil Wayne.
This could be adopted by writing hit singles together with Fergie’s “M.I.L.F.$” alongside “Mamacita” by Lil Yachty that includes Rico Nasty. Jozzy cemented her standing as an A-list songwriter by writing Billy Ray Cyrus‘ visitor verse on Lil Nas X‘s “Outdated City Street” remix. Since then, she’s earned hit after hit from writing a number of tracks on Mary J. Blige’s Grammy-nominated Good Morning Attractive album to “Virgo’s Groove” on Beyoncé’s Renaissance album.
Regardless of a resume, many would merely be happy with, Jozzy has additionally been pushing for a solo profession as an artist. Between releasing singles that includes visitor appearances from artists like Lil Wayne and Mase, 2020 noticed her launch Soul Remedy: Residence 215 that includes the buzzworthy observe “Humorous Associates.” Diddy would finally signal Jozzy as the primary artist on his R&B-focused label Love Information two years later. The primary challenge from the partnership is EP titled Songs for Girls Free Recreation for N****s.
Talking with BET.com, Jozzy explains virtually giving up on being a solo artist earlier than Diddy, being impressed by Frank Ocean and that kiss with Madonna.
BET.com: First off, “Humorous Associates” from Soul Remedy: Residence 215 was my favourite joint from you. How did that challenge type of set you up for extra individuals like Diddy to consider in you extra as a solo recording artist than only a songwriter?
Jozzy: I did that challenge through the Covid lockdown, so it was at a time after I did not have anybody to put in writing for as a result of everyone was making an attempt to do Zoom periods and that simply did not work. It was sort of like a ardour challenge as a result of I used to be caught in the home, bored in the home. So I, that is actually what that was. After which I did not get any assist from my label who did not push it. That scenario actually made me not need to be an artist anymore. That jaded me as a result of I felt like that challenge was so superb. That made me cease desirous to be an artist. I simply continued simply specializing in writing songs after that.
Puff actually inspired me to get again into being a recording artist. It was a scenario that got here on the good time. I’m an individual who research and I used to be watching a YouTube video the place it was exhibiting all my favourite artists from Woman Gaga to 2Chainz who had label offers however have been dropped. I promise you, proper after I watched that video, I ran into Puff a couple of months later and he advised me I used to be a famous person. He advised me I wanted to get again to being a recording artist.
BET.com: What was the method of placing collectively Songs for Girls Free Recreation for N****s EP and the way a lot of the challenge consisted of unique from scratch materials and materials that was initially pitched to different artists?
Jozzy: Every part was from scratch. I had no concept what I used to be going to do. I began it at Puff’s home in Miami after which we took it to the Bahamas. I used to be listening to numerous Frank Ocean and “Songs For Girls” from his Nostalgia, Extremely mixtape. I assumed that title was so superb. He had a line that stated one thing like ‘each time a nigga asks me if I sing songs to get girls, I’m like yeah.’ That’s such an actual line as a result of I try this. I make songs for girls. As a songwriter, I write songs for girls who need to really feel one thing. I’m not making an attempt to disrespect them however making an attempt to make them really feel seen, cherished and heard. Even with the intro, that was like God simply writing by me. I used to be simply the vessel.
BET.com: I have a look at the likes of you, Syd, Kehlani as representing profitable queer Black girls within the R&B area. Had been there any challenges you confronted in getting individuals to respect you on your abilities as somebody who’s open about their sexuality?
Jozzy: All of my friends assist me. Kehlani, Syd, SZA; all of them have been like ‘I can’t wait on your challenge to drop.’ That has been essentially the most fulfilling factor ever. There’s simply no jealousy or emotions that I ought to simply keep a author. If something, it’s A&Rs and other people on the labels who attempt to lock you into being a songwriter as a result of they need the hits. The artists noticed it earlier than I noticed it.
Folks get it. In case you have a look at the world, it’s numerous girls that appear like me. This shit not new. It’s a masculine lady in each room someplace. I simply really feel like within the business, it’s cool to be homosexual should you’re female however should you’re masculine it’s shunned upon. So I really feel like we’re all opening doorways. Let’s name a spade a spade and let’s simply embrace it. I’m so grateful that the followers have embraced it. I haven’t seen any lady or man bash me about it. It’s as a result of the music is so good and timeless that folks aren’t frightened about who’s singing it.
BET.com: You’ve written for a slew of chart topping artists however your clear spotlight was the recording breaking “Outdated City Street” remix with Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus. Do you keep in mind your work on that and the influence it had on popular culture?
Jozzy: I keep in mind that second completely after I bought the decision to work with Billy Ray Cyrus. I used to be truly sick round that point too. I assumed it was the flu or one thing. I’m from Memphis so I like Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus. I grew up on Hannah Montana. I keep in mind my mother seeing him on TV and would say ‘He’s a nice white man.’ I keep in mind being within the sales space and freestyling the entire melody. After that, me and Billy Ray went outdoors and I picked his mind to know some nation phrases. On this case, I wished him to be a rapper so I didn’t need him to be too nation, which is why you hear Fendi Sports activities Bra and Maserati sports activities automobile. I believe Malborough Man is the one nation factor he stated.
I didn’t comprehend it was going to be that huge. I used to be at Coachella when it hit primary and I noticed what quantity ones do to individuals. While you get a primary, individuals have a look at you in another way. I used to be getting all the things at no cost and simply feeling the love. It was stunning and altered my life that quick.
BET.com: Even most just lately, you caught one other huge second by your work on Beyoncé “Virgo’s Groove” from the RENAISSANCE album.
Jozzy: I have a look at Missy Elliott, I have a look at The Dream, I have a look at Nyo and the way they did it so completely. One of many issues I noticed is that the nice songwriters turned artists all have Beyoncé placements. For my very own advantage, I wanted to have that Beyoncé observe underneath me. Me and my boy Tate Kobang, who’s at present killing it with Nicki proper now, have been simply enjoying round with the phrases “proper right here, proper now.” We did it on one other beat as properly. I despatched it to my A&R at Sony ATV. She despatched it to Beyoncé and the subsequent factor I do know, it’s become “Virgo’s Groove.” We discovered our names after which I used to be in a membership and anyone confirmed me my identify on the credit. I began screaming within the membership going loopy. I’m not a drinker however I bought lit that evening.
BET.com: Contemplating all of this consideration you might have round you, I’ve to ask, what was that like kissing Madonna although?
Jozzy: I’m an equal opportunist in the case of love. That’s simply who I’m. I noticed numerous age shaming amongst numerous girls. I simply hate that we age disgrace girls. I really feel when a girl will get to a sure age, individuals say what they will and cannot do. If she is a boss and getting her shit, why can’t she do what she desires. Identical to males do. No person does that to them. As quickly as a girl does it, it’s disgusting. I like that Madonna was having fun with her life and if she desires to get pleasure from her life and kiss me, let’s do it. Let’s chortle about it after. I deal with Madonna like a legend. This is similar Madonna who kissed Tupac and made a sexbook with Naomi Campbell and Large Daddy Kane. She has numerous vibes. She’s a legend and I nonetheless see her as that.
