TSRE Wonders: Exclusive Interview with Jovi Rockwell

We've mentioned Jovi Rockwell a couple times on this here page (see here and here) but had never really gotten a chance to hear what she was really all about. A young Jamaican artist making some big noise in the dancehall game, drawing comparisons to M.I.A. and Santigold is sure to turn some ears, and everything we heard out of her camp was straight fire. So we jumped at the chance to catch up with her and ask a few questions about what she's been working on, her thoughts on being a young artist in today's music world, and who her favorite producers to work with are.

She very recently got out of a large record deal with Epic and is a free agent, so keep your eyes on her and pass on the good words about the fire she's been whipping out. Her first full mixtape drops on October 19th, so stay tuned for that and in the meantime, check out our exclusive interview with Jovi Rockwell!

It’s rare to read an article about you that doesn’t mention M.I.A. and Santigold. Obviously it’s great to be compared to such great artists, but do you get tired of the comparisons?

No I never get tired of comparisons to cool people. It simply means, maybe people see me as good as those artist or at least having the talent to do good things just as those artist would! I feel as people get more familiar with my sound, my music, they will see me in my own right. But I'm not mad at that, at all. Its a great vibe!

Your sound is a mixture of reggae, hip hop, dancehall, electro, and pop. Who are some of your influences/inspirations? Anyone in particular that you feel has influenced your musical stylings?

I mean I listen all types of music, I'm a big Michael Jackson fan (as the rest of the world should be) Alanis Morissette, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Modonna, Jay Z come to mind. Meth, Nas, dancehall artist Vybez Kartel to name a few. I couldn't say my musical stylings are influence by any one particular artist, I think music just comes to me. I'm like a birdie who just loves to sing. Music is my influence, but I'm a fan to a lot of artist!

You recently had some big success with a guest spot on Diplo and Switch’s Major Lazer album Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do. How did that collaboration come about?

The producer, Diplo, is a big fan of Caribbean music, he had this idea and he thought my vibe would be perfect, so he reached out to my management. I heard the ideas he had , I thought it was great and the rest is "Can't Stop Now" - Guns Don't kill People....Lazers Do."

After coming up with the Mystic Urchin Music label, you’re now signed to Epic. What has signing to a big name label like Epic been like? Has it altered the way you approach your music?

Professional! In a way it has altered my approach to music in a positive sense, because I take the good with the bad, that helps me to be better!

We’ve heard rumors that your record deal with Epic is potentially 5 albums! That seems like a lot of production for such a young artist. Is that rumor true? What is it like to make such a large commitment early in your career?

Yes I signed a five (5) Album deal, and as for pressure, I make music, this is my work, I love it. The more I make music is the more fun I'm having, I escape in music when I'm stressed, so music is my therapy!

You’re releasing a mixtape on October 19 (Woot!). Tell us a little about the album and what went into it.

The Album is a introduction to The Rebel Love Goddess so it's basically a compilation of different vibes, a lot of love for the fans went into this album, hard work and pride. I want my fans to - to feel inspired, to feel good, make them wanna dance, and make babies! It's that freshness in ya ear!

The beats on songs like “Rizzla”, “Tonight”, and “Killin Dem” are complete fire. What producers have you worked with recently? Any personal favorites?

Wow, all the producers are fun in their own right, Mad Scientist - he is mad cool, Heavy Weights, Double Trouble, Diplo, Artsy, Detail - crazy fun. Lil Boy Fresh Smoker, Chuck Harmony - cool! The Levine brothers out LA always partying! The producers I've worked with are all cool peeps, they make me better!

As an up-and-coming musician, what’s your feeling on the “blogosphere”? Is it good for musicians? Is it good for music? (No need to candy coat, we have thick skin).

Hell Yeah! its good for music, everybody everywhere is blogging. I now have fans in Malaysia, and it's because of blogging, I think the Blogosphere is good for music. Follow me on Twitter @Jovi_Rockwell .

Any plans for a US tour in the near future?

Sure, as soon as the cities and dates are finalized. They're going to be published everywhere!

What are the last three albums you listened to beginning-to-end?

Essentials Of Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse - Back to Black, and Neyo - Year of the Gentleman!

And finally, what is the most awesome piece of clothing you own? Bonus points for pictures.

My Jovi Rockwell shirt . I love it! Had some printed and I could barely get to hold onto one for myself. Its cool though,I love rocking it. Pictures coming soon!

Jovi Rockwell - Killin' Dem (YSI) (filesavr)

Jovi Rockwell - Rizzla (YSI) (filesavr)

Major Lazer - Can't Stop Now f. Mr. Vegas & Jovi Rockwell (YSI) (filesavr)