Many of you probably know JoJo as “the girl who sings that ‘Leave, (Get Out) song’.” But many of you may not know that particular song catapulted her career, making her the youngest artist, at the age of 13, to have a number-one hit on the Billboard Pop chart. After her self-titled debut album reached platinum, JoJo moved on to make a second album, The High Road, which presented us with her other huge hit “Too Little Too Late.”
After the success of The High Road, JoJo went to work on her third studio album. Unfortunately, because of legal struggles that her record label was going through, JoJo ‘s album, though finished, was shelved for years.
Through out these trying times, she stayed optimistic and continued to write and record music. She shared with her fans, via YouTube, a couple of covers that she put her own twist to, including: T-Pain’s “I Can’t Believe It,” The Script’s “Breakeven,” Joni Mitchell’s “Help Me,” and my all-time favorite, Drake’s “Houstatlantavegas.”
If you check out the Drake one, I advise you to listen to his version and then JoJo’s. She wrote the insightful lyrics herself and with the way JoJo sings, it’s almost as if she’s been a witness to this tragic girl she speaks of in the song. This is a testament to JoJo’s talent as a songwriter. She paints a clear picture and pulls you in her story.
In September, 2010 she dropped her mixtape “Can’t Take That Away From Me.” All but one of the tracks were written or co-written by JoJo. The leading single “In The Dark” was a far cry from the days of “Leave,” or “Too Little Too Late.” The sultry song is base heavy, filled with sexy lyrics such as:
“This ain’t the first or last time. We’ll meet up this late at night. To let our fate intertwine”
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The accompanying video featured JoJo blind-folded, with a very good-looking male co-star. The video was sensual yet tasteful. It is one of my favorite songs on the mixtape.
Seeing this side of JoJo, a more mature and sexy side, was different to how fans were used to seeing her. The change was welcomed, fans were excited to hear new music from her, and the mixtape received much praise.
It wasn’t until the Summer of 2011 that JoJo received praise beyond her fan base, by being the first artist to drop her remix to Drake’s “Marvin’s Room.” Her version is entitled “Marvin’s Room (Can’t Do Better).” The day after it was released, the song hit about 2.7 million hits on YouTube. It was an instant hit. The lyrics are raw, honest, and dare I say audacious: “And when you’re in her, I know I’m in your head.” Damn! But you have to love the boldness that is that line. The lyrics are also painfully vulnerable: “I feel so pathetic, but you still haven’t heard it all,” as JoJo sings right before the chorus. The day that song came out, that’s all I listened to and I would make everyone listen to it too. And of course, everyone loved it.
As of now, JoJo is still writing and recording for her third studio album Jumping Trains. The first single “Disaster” is out and available on iTunes. Here’s hoping that the album drops this year.
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You can keep up with JoJo via Twitter: @Jojoistheway
Facebook: JoJo
Offical site: www.jojoonline.com
Check out “Disater” and “Marvin’s Room (Can’t Do Better)” after the jump.
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