Jo3
Jo3 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Joe Allen October 25, 2000 |
| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | United States of America |
| Alma mater | Christopher Newport University |
| Occupation |
|
| Organization | Kappa Sigma Fraternity |
| Known for | It's Been A While, Did you Forget |
| Height | 182 cm (6 ft 0 in) |
Joe Allen (born 25 October 2000), better known by his stage name Jo3, is an American creative director, independent artist, songwriter, and rapper known for his eclectic range of sounds and genres in his discography. He gained recognition for his standout conclusion, "I'll Be Fine" from his first EP titled "Sorry to Disappoint," which was highly praised for its ability to convey an honest and vulnerable message while creating an atmosphere that feels airy, expansive, and divine.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of Jo3's regular activities were halted, leading him to discover a new hobby of writing lyrics to instrumentals. He began selling these lyrics to small artists on the internet to save enough funds to purchase his equipment. After learning the basics of music production, he released his first album titled "Finding My Sound," which showcased his wide range of musical styles. Despite the scattered interest from listeners, Jo3 took constructive criticism to improve and grow as an artist.
He later released his first EP, "Sorry to Disappoint," a more focused body of work intended to be an emotional release of Jo3's hopes, vexations, and insecurities. The project was well-received by many and garnered over 14k streams in its first year.
Jo3 draws inspiration from his environment and surrounds himself with different sounds, approaches, and feelings of music, which he blends to create a unique subgenre. He aspires to take risks with his music and blur the lines between genres and styles, creating something that impacts the culture. Despite the challenges of being an artist, Jo3 possesses enough confidence to take the criticisms and hate thrown his way.
Early life and education
Jo3 was born on 25 October 2000 as Joe Allen and spent his early life in a small town near Richmond, Virginia. As he grew up, he spent most of his time in the greater Richmond area, particularly in the East End of Richmond, where he visited various peers' residences. At the ages of 16 to 18, Jo3 developed a strong interest in art, particularly in abstract and interactive public art. He often visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to observe limited-time exhibits and explored the city's VCU campus.
Before pursuing music, Jo3 invested his time in fashion design. He deconstructed his clothes, sketched his ideas, and researched fabrics. He even applied to Texas Tech for Apparel Design and Marketing but ultimately decided not to attend due to the distance from his family and the cost of admission.
Throughout high school, Jo3 saw music as an enjoyable activity with friends but never considered pursuing solo efforts or a career in the field. However, after receiving praise for his work from his collaborators and classmates, he began to see the potential in his music. He graduated from a Chromebook and USB mic to make music with friends in a makeshift studio in his friend's garage. Although a group mixtape resulted from this time, he still considered the activity a hobby.
Jo3 believed that he could improve the quality of his music if he acquired his own equipment and learned to use a DAW, but he felt that this was too large of a barrier to entry due to his lack of time as he entered college. During his first year at university, he did not make any music.
Career
Jo3 is gained recognition as a rapper and songwriter during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020. Jo3's passion for music began as a hobby during quarantine, where he would write lyrics to instrumentals and sell them to small artists on the internet. After selling some of his personal belongings to fund his music equipment, he learned how to use Logic Pro X by watching YouTube videos.
Jo3's experimentation with music production led to the release of his debut album, "Finding My Sound," in 2020, which showcased his wide range of musical styles. Although the project received mixed reviews, Jo3 used it as a learning experience to hone his craft. After taking a year-long hiatus, he released his first EP, "Sorry to Disappoint," in 2021, which was a more focused and emotional project that received positive feedback from listeners.
Jo3 emphasizes the importance of individuality and creativity in music when discussing his inspirations and aspirations. He hopes to create a new subgenre of music that blurs the lines between genres and styles. He admires artists who take risks and possess sensitivity and confidence to handle criticism and hate.
Jo3's dedication to music and willingness to take risks demonstrate his potential to become a successful artist in the industry.
Discography
| Year | Song/EP |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Sorry to Disappoint |
Album
| Year | Song/EP |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Finding My Sound |
| 2023 | It’s Been A While Did You Forget |
Awards and recognition
- Placed on the Early Registration Playlists by Big.Ass.Kids Record Label- 1st edition
- Placed on the Early Registration Playlists by Big.Ass.Kids Record Label- 2nd edition
- Placed on Lacshore.com. A Gallery Sit from Virginian Photographer and Artist Lacshore.