Biography
Big Joe was born in Pasadena, Tx March 24th 1984. He spent his early childhood raised at a homeless shelter with his family until 1997. There he experienced a very "Real Life" atmosphere, which included seeing all types of people, from drug addicts, prostitutes, out of luck families, come together to make that situation work. Joe Recounts, There were countless experiences from Fights, to drugs, to people committing suicide. However, combined with learning about God at an early age, and seeing the people that actually made it out alive, he feels it all helped age his perspective and keep him focused.
The family moved to Galveston when the Shelter was shut down due to a conflict with the city where It was located. Ignoring most of the young life lessons they learned, Him, and his brothers(1 older, 1 younger) all got involved in selling/using drugs, getting into trouble, and trying to find a way to make quick money.
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Eventually, Their close group of friends formed the Ace-0-Trey click on the west end of the island. They produced/released three underground freestyle/screwed and chopped mixtapes with Joe at the helm at 16. Ace-0-Trey broke up a year or so later.
Joe then went down a very serious spiritual path. He spent 4 years as a part of Christian Rap Group "Souljaz on tha Rize." The Group never released a Full project, though several adaptations of projects do exist. The Group did, however, see some local touring success. Joe is quoted as saying "It was one of the biggest, and best growing experiences I could have asked for. I learned quite a bit about religion vs relationship, finding my purpose in God's will, and the faith to do the unpopular thing when it's called for"
When asked about smoking marijuana and how the church says it "Conflicts" with his belief in Christ, "[laughing] The only thing i can say is, I know what Alcohol does to the body, and yet everybody drinks now and then.. I know what anti depressant's do to the brain, and the non-denominational house wives Pop those like jelly beans. Yet, God created a plant that eases pain, mental, physical, emotional, and also stimulates artistic thought process, Plus the medical breakthrough's they're discovering every year...and I'm the one who's confused...[laughing] see...shouldn't have gotten me started.."
Joe also Spent 5 years simultaneously Writing, Playing Guitar for, and singing for a Local Christian Rock band SoulTide, as well as worked with his Church's youth program.
To which he continued.."Yeah, I smoked from time to time then. I was still doin rap, still doin the church thing, and spending those years trying to find the foundation to base the rest of my life on. I'm still growing, learning, but I'll always be me..."
His very Real approach to his lyrics stem from his love for the art form. Calling Rap, and Hip-Hop his Favorite, but also his Least Favorite. "I Love it...but I dont love what most people is talkin about. I can't change them...but I can do me."
Growing up on everything from The Geto Boyz and Scarface, to Master P and No Limit, to The S.U.C., and Swisha House tapes, to Classic Rock, Alternative, R&B, and even some of the more experimental bands/groups out there, you can hear the influence of all of them. Joe is a Growing, Talented, and eclectic artist. Currently Unsigned, he is representing Arsonist Productions out of Galveston, Tx, what he calls his home town.
Other Arsonist Productions artists include Twsted, Bam Bam aka "Da Voice", and Lazz
The Label Recently Lost K.O., and Tom Boy due to amicable differences.
When asked if he feels that He can make in impact in the music industry Joe replied lighthearted, however very seriously "I feel like The impact I make will be on the ones who need to be impacted by what I represent. I'm not a Gangsta, I stopped wearin colors a while ago. I'm not a Pimp, or a thug, or none of that. What I am, is Real. No labels, no artificial flavors. I aint violent...but don't step up in my zone sideways, and you dont have to worry about the hospital bills.[laughing] Money and Fame aint the first thing I think about in the morning...It's 'what can I do to get better at this' as in life, and 'what can I do to get better at this' as in this art...and maintaining some form of reality for the next generation to hang on to."
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.