Just John

Name: Just John

From: Toronto

Projects Released: Fast Metaborhythm

Influences: My surroundings, my experiences, my team, my dreams.

Website(s): Youtube: www.youtube.com/justjohnhere, Twitter: twitter.com/JustJohnForReal, Facebook: www.Facebook.com/pages/JustJohn/296911710325767, Soundcloud: Soundcloud.com/justjohnsound



What prompted your start for your career path?

Since the age of 9 I knew that I wanted to be an entertainer for the rest of my life. Just John began two years ago, motivated by the idea of “branding me around me.” I was always really into dance, acting, and written poetry. I began experimenting with my musicality/rhythm from break dancing, to the art of making words in record. I aim to entertain people through expressing many emotions, thoughts, and life experiences through my work.

Who first recognized your talents and what did it mean to you?

The first person to acknowledge my talents was definitely my twin brother. Although, we didn’t live together, we still spent the most time together. My brother always checked up on me, and was always looking for new music that I was making. That internal family push was crucial to making me more open with the lyrics I write and how I share my work.

What is the first problem you have come across?

Getting people to listen was the most difficult task at first. I like to think of myself as an entertainer, although that leaves many things open being such a broad definition, at the same time it had its downs. People couldn’t stop but try to stick me in one box. When I first made it public that I wanted to start making music, a lot of my peers, family or people online felt really skeptical with the music thing. “Everyone wants to be a rapper” clouded the initial impression.

Despite all the skeptics I knew I had to believe in my brand and what I brought to the table or else no one else would. I know music is subjective and not everyone is going to like it, but as long as I knew that I was releasing the best product possible to the public, I knew I could be of value to someone listening.

As an up and coming artist what was it that you seen that you needed to improve on?

As an upcoming artist what I needed to improve on was finding “my sound.” Who is Just John? And why should people care? Coming from a city where the sound of Drake and The Weekend are dominant, it can almost be intimidating to go against the grain and bring something new to the table, but I knew what might have worked for Drake and the Weekend wouldn’t work for me.

I’m in the process of writing my own story, so everything I wanted to do from here on, from my lyrics to my sound I wanted it to be a reflection of me, “different and left of center.” Growing up listening to every sort hip-hop in my teens it became hard to neglect the influence from notable artists at the time. From Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West to Kid Cudi and Danny Brown who’ve all played a role in shaping who I wanted to be as an artist.

It took me awhile and a lot of constructive criticism from my IIINVTRS team to help me find the unique sound that I was looking for that captured my essence as an artist. I’m happy I continue to experiment with my sound and cadence I really try to keep as many doors open with my musical approach. My influences can range from Tribe Called Quest to let me look at my iPod, to K-os, Lana Del Rey, De La Soul, Toro Y Moi, Beegees, Beatles, Big L, Busta Rhymes and Theophilus London.

How will you make an impact given the chance?

With the right seasoning and growth my music can be experienced on a worldwide market. It’s a different flow, it’s a different sound and the lyrics have substance. My music breathes energy, I want you to move, I want you to express yourself as much as I want you to think and reach higher. I want to trip you out while you’re listening, but I still want you take something with you after (your high if you will.) I make music to move crowds of thousands as much as I make music for the loner stoner. My music is very conceptual; being a journalist student, I’m a strong believer in headlines and stories. From the title to when the song rides out, I’m thinking about captivating my listener and dressing my story to something that creates a world for my listener to enter.

I aim to give my listeners only my best product possible. As artists we are the modern philosophers of today, and maybe if my music can help someone through a rough time, a good time or help them better understand themselves I think my music can live forever and I’ve done my job successfully.

Why should people take notice in your work?

People should take notice of my work because I know I am refreshing for the music industry. I think my music can be spread across many different demographics because it cannot be categorized. It’s a feeling, a tale, or idea at a particular moment in my life. I have a message to put out which is to “open your minds and innovate your lives.” My work trail blazes this message and me and my team work like insomniacs to make undeniable work. The most exciting thing is we’re only getting started and so much more music needs to be made and released.

Watch JustJohn’s video for “No Handouts” below:

- See more at: http://www.jenesismagazine.com/unknown-known-profile-justjohn/#sthash.9J5Zu5Pc.dpuf - Jenesis Magazine (Pittsburgh, PA)

Toronto, ON – “Fee-fi-fo-fum,” the line made famous by the English fairy tale, Jack and the Beanstalk, which made it’s first appearance in the early 1800′s. The story is of a young boy named Jack attempting to provide for his widowed mother and avoid becoming an angry giant’s next meal.

But there’s no Jack here. No, just an up-and-coming artist from Toronto named Just John and in this case he’s embracing the role of the giant. Originally, the title gave off the impression that the song was a metaphor for depicting a David vs. Goliath scenario that most artists find themselves in when they’re attempting to make it in the music industry. But that’s not the case here.

Instead, John beams with confidence and he lets you know early that lately he’s been “feeling large” and in charge. The song serves as a warning to anyone doubting his capability to make it on the scene and he mocks the naysayers each step of the way.

The Biird & Lahghost-produced “Fee Fi Fo Fum” is HipHopCanada’s Song of the Day. - Hip Hop Canada - Dutch Unkle

Up-and-coming Toronto emcee Just John might be one of the most humble cats in the game. From his downplaying moniker, to his latest single “Mediocre,” John Samuels keeps his ego in check, recalling a chapter in his life that predates the impossibly smooth, laid-back persona he’s spent the last year cultivating.

"I wanted to make a record that talked about the other guy, the guy who wasn't the player in his class but wanted to impress all the girls," John told Complex via email. "Sometimes we feel we’re not good enough for someone or something, so much to the point where our insecurities can blind us to the real value we have to offer."

Groove-laden production from Jeremy Rodney Hall and a bookended vocal hook from Mississauga's own Pheona set the stage for Just John’s first person quest to escape the dreaded friendzone. “Mediocre” is a playful lyrical cut, and John’s continuously evolving flow keeps it engaging from front to back.

Listen to “Mediocre” below, and stay tuned for Just John’s forthcoming LP Renaissance Boy, slated for an early 2016 release. - Aaron Zorgel