Playlist

Whether you call it "fate" or "destiny" or "a calling," the fact is that some people are born to sing and create music. If you ask any of the "Music Icons" in the business, chances are you'll get a variation on the idea that music is and always has been the artist's best expression. Touted as one of the best songwriters of the New Millenium, Atlanta, Georgia based recording artist, JoJo Nichols -- reveals that from the age of five or six, he hoped to be 'discovered.’ I used to watch Michael Jackson, Usher, Lionel Richie and all of the greats on television and I wanted to do what they were doing." Music has been the central theme in the life of JoJo Nichols (born Joseph Michael Nichols) for as long as he can remember and now, almost twenty years later, this multi-talented singer, songwriter, musician, author and producer is fulfilling his childhood dreams and ambitions. With “City of Love””, his debut album, Nichols, demonstrates a rare ability to fuse the "feel" and vibe of classic soul music with the edgy flavor of 21st century Pop. While a various amount of themes permeate through JoJo's set, there's also a street-worthy confidence: the sensuality of Marvin Gaye and the sincerity of Stevie Wonder merging with the hipness of a Lupe Fiasco or Mos Def. Yet, JoJo Nichols is very much his own artist, gifted with singular talents and a unique sensibility. "Gone," the tentative first single from “City of Love” takes a more in-depth view at the emotional lyricist.-- Written and arranged by Nichols and produced by up and coming hit maker Alex Fraser for “Smooth Beats Only” has, according to JoJo, “a soulful melody and vocal arrangement; it's a cool mix and fusion of different musical influences. Fraser also produced the sexy, “I’d Rather B With U". Other notable producers on the album are Roosevelt Mclamore who assisted in crafting the sound of the record and shows up on the sensual “When The Moon” and “The Makings of You as well as the romantic “No One”. The dynamic team, Dante Hawthorne & Corey Novosel of Mozaik Muzik managed to crank out album favorites as the title track "City of Love", "This Feeling" and the eighties themed "Only at Night". JoJo Pairs with Luke “Dekomposer” Osborne for the radio ready ‘When She Walked By”. While his early exposure was to gospel, JoJo was heavily influenced by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Jodeci, Jay-Z, Marvin Winans, Coldplay, U2, Usher, Shania Twain, T.I. and Sam Cooke. With his obvious musical aptitude and experience, he has performed as a back ground singer for artists such as Duranice & Lashun Pace, BeBe Winans, Dorinda Clark and gospel great, Tremaine Hawkins. Nichols finally turns out work for the masses with "City of Love”. The album’s promotion is being spearheaded by a bevy of live performances and radio interviews across the country.