About this episodeJoJo discusses her memoir 'Over the Influence,' detailing her journey from a child star at Blackground Records…AI summary
JoJo discusses her memoir 'Over the Influence,' detailing her journey from a child star at Blackground Records to an independent artist with her own label, Clover Music. She emphasizes the importance of mental health, re-recording her masters to regain ownership, and finding healing through authentic connections with peers like Taylor Swift and Tori Kelly.
Key takeaways 5
Career Control: JoJo founded Clover Music to escape the 'rat race' of major labels, prioritizing creative freedom and personal connection over traditional industry validation.
Re-recording Strategy: She re-recorded her early catalog in 2018 not just for artistic reasons, but out of necessity because her former label failed to secure digital streaming deals for her or other artists (Aaliyah, Toni Braxton), effectively erasing their work.
Mental Health & Boundaries: JoJo advocates for setting boundaries as a public figure, noting that while she appreciates fan support (e.g., signing stage doors after Broadway shows), she prioritizes her well-being and recognizes the unhealthy nature of parasocial expectations.
Industry Relationships: She highlights the importance of female solidarity in the music industry, citing her close friendship with Tori Kelly as a 'healing relationship' and her positive experience at Taylor Swift's Galentine's Day event as a moment of tenderness during a difficult time.
Creative Evolution: Her favorite project is the 2021 EP 'Trying Not to Think About It,' which she describes as a cathartic concept album about overcoming depression and anxiety, contrasting it with earlier commercially driven projects.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“I just don't have tolerance anymore for stuff that doesn't make sense to me... I lost myself so many times I was going to continue to lose myself trying to be a part of the Rat Race that I no longer fit into anymore.”
▶ 7:46JoJo explains her decision to leave major labels and start her own label, Clover Music, to regain control over her career and identity.
“Success is actually connectedness and being able to look yourself in the mirror and be like I dig you... making a good honest living and having freedom and flexibility.”
▶ 8:58Defining her new benchmark for success after leaving the traditional industry structure.
“I was scared that it would be stupid... but what I do care about is the fact that my former label didn't make deals with the Digital streaming platform so my stuff was not available to be streamed... I want do something because I feel like I'm being erased.”
▶ 12:21Explaining the practical and emotional reasons behind re-recording her early albums.
“Just keep going... it's as simple as that people are looking for something she's like you just make choices and you stick with them and then you look back and you're 71 and you're like wow I did all those things.”
Advice JoJo received from Cindy Lopper regarding longevity in the music industry.
“I try to have compassion for myself now when I look back at younger JoJo... I learned from that like I just didn't think about the consequences of my actions... so now like that I'm a reformed mess.”
▶ 24:26Reflecting on her past relationship struggles and personal growth.
Chapters & Sections (25)▼
0:02JoJo Discusses Her New Memoir and Careerchapter4
0:02JoJo Discusses Her New Book and Career
1:28Childhood Music Career and Family Decisions
2:49Childhood bullying and move to California
4:10Music Industry Debut and Success Story
5:37Artist Discusses Favorite Project and Influenceschapter3
5:37Artist Discusses Favorite Project and Influences
7:46Artist's Journey and Rejection of Mainstream Success
9:11Artist Discusses Career and Music Label
10:54Artist Discusses New Music and Re-recording Processchapter3
10:54Artist Discusses New Music and Creative Freedom
12:27Artist Regains Ownership of Music Catalog
14:04Taylor Swift's Galentine's Day Experience
15:18Celebrity Relationships and Industry Comparisonschapter3
15:18Celebrity Relationships and Industry Comparisons
16:59Celebrity Relationship and Fan Interaction
18:12Artist's Perspective on Meeting Fans
20:17Balancing Mental Health as a Public Figurechapter2
20:17Balancing Mental Health as a Public Figure
22:27Reflecting on Career and Personal Growth
24:41Personal Growth and Relationship Reflectionschapter4
24:41Personal Growth and Relationship Reflections
26:45Relationship Advice and Personal Growth
28:00Overcoming Addiction and Music Industry Struggles
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