A.D. The General, creator of the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program and BirthplaceMag.com contributor, talks with Jovonn The Don, accomplished music and radio producer and host of the “New NY” radio program on Power 105.1, a show which highlights NY-area unsigned artists.
A.D. The General: You currently have your own show on Sundays on Power 105.1 in NYC every Sunday night at 10pm. The show is all about showcasing music from unsigned artists. How did the concept come about?
Jovonn: At Power 105.1, we believe the listeners are the reason we exist, so with that in mind, to have a platform for unsigned artists that are up and coming to have a chance to be heard was a no-brainer. I come from a music producer background and got into radio, so I was blessed to be a part of picking the good the bad, and to be involved with this show.
A.D.: You are not only a host and DJ but a producer as well? Who are some of the acts you have worked with thus far?
Jovonn: Yeah, I’ve produced records for Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child, Fabolous, Faith Evans, Dmx, Frankie J, Ray J, Styles P., Jadakiss and a lot of others. I still produce music along with doing radio now, where I produce DJ Clue’s show, Monday through Friday from 6pm – 10pm. Check us out!
A.D.: You have a blog site, jovonnthedon.wordpress.com, where you give endless praise to your mother and father for influencing you to pursue your career. How important is it to have a great support system and to have music introduced to you at an early age?
Jovonn: Encouragement in anything molds you. I was very fortunate to have two musically inclined parents around when I was younger. After my father left, my mother was the driving force that encouraged me to learn every instrument I could, and that led to me being such a musical “junkie”. I feel you don’t need it to be a parent that encourages you, but people who understand your vision and can stand by you while you get there.
A.D.: You seem to be an advocate for the underdog and hard workers. How can artists and our readers send you music, and what is the selection process?
Jovonn: You can reach me directly with submissions for the show at NewNy105@gmail.com. I always have to remind people to send radio ready records, which mean no curses. It’s mainstream radio. You can also hit me up on Twitter, I’m always down for a good conversation or debate about music. My twitter name is @jovonn I’m all for the next talented artist being heard!
A.D.: In your opinion, how important is the DJ element in hip hop and music in general?
Jovonn: Without the DJ, music doesn’t exist on the level of being heard the way it’s supposed to. When you go to the club and your favorite song comes on and the DJ spins it back to your favorite line, and has the crowd go crazy… That artist just made the night a special night forever. When the DJ is on-air and says the name of the song that someone never heard before, it might have just gained that artist a new fan. The DJ is the pulse, the vibe, the conductor, the energy… Respect to all DJs.
A.D.: What are some of the projects you are currently working on?
Jovonn: I’m still in the studio creating music for artist like Juelz Santana, Jadakiss and Fabolous right now, and looking forward to going back in with Mariah soon as well. Right now my partner Jason “Sire” Turnbull and I are pushing our music from our hometown of Rockland County. We created an independent label named RMG, and currently have Vado’s smash single “Speaking In Tongues” all over the airwaves.
A.D.: Who are some of the hottest unsigned artists you have played on Power 105.1?
Jovonn: As far as “hottest”, I’d have to say Vain and St.Laz, Spinoza, Emperor Chi, Ldj, Bravo, Lenisha Nelson, Tenille, D.Malone and Brook Holiday are all heavily requested on my show on Power 105.1.
A.D.: What is your opinion on the current state of hip hop?
Jovonn: Hip hop has evolved into having more than one definition to the name. It has a lot of “sub categories” and I think what makes it bad is when the fan or consumer is force-fed one side of it, but that has a lot to do with execs and labels, and what they can make the most money from. But, that’s a whole other conversation. For another time.
A.D.: What are you looking forward to doing in the music business or in life that you haven’t already accomplished?
Jovonn: My goals at this point are to be able to enable others within music and the culture of entertainment honestly, whether it’s through me becoming an A&R at a label, heading my own independent label like I am now, or growing my unsigned artist show into a larger format. I love music, so however and wherever that leads me, that’s where I’m going. Music is how I breathe. Real talk.
A.D.: Any last words, shout outs?
Jovonn: I appreciate you, A.D. The General, and Birthplace Magazine for the acknowledgement of myself and others pushing and advocating for new and undiscovered talent. Love to my RMG family and all of Rockland County. It’s been a long time coming and we’re finally getting there. And definitely love to my Power 105.1 family. Let the music play! Thank you.
WORDS FROM JOVAN
MUSIC FOR THOUGHT: Evoking Radical Emotion
I always wonder what it is about music that makes people react the way they do when they hear it…
For each person and each song, each “evoke radical emotion”
I remember the times playing on tours, concerts, and even in intimate settings, how the sound would affect so many different levels
When I hear music, it changes, creates, pushes, pulls, tears, sews my life
What does it for you?
Take a second to consider this thought…
We can equate EVERY moment of our lives to a song.
The time falling for that special person, or the time we really were angry at them
Even to the times when you felt like working out or letting loose and had a party
The next time you hear a song, try to think how that song has just been catalogued into your heart…