JoJodidnt want to wait.
Its hard to perfectly execute a promotional campaign for a project while self-isolating.
But the 29-year-old singer decided to forge ahead with unveiling her fourth studio album,Good To Know.
Credit: Dennis Leupold
At one point, Blackground legally owned her voice and prevented her from releasing new music.
After filing a lawsuit and spending years in court, JoJo was officially released from her contract in 2014.
Now she’s embracing that freedom and gifting fans with new music during uncertain times.
During the recording process, she even made the decision to remain celibate.
Ive been in relationships since I was 14, she tells EW.
I was like, ‘Wow, Ive never been lonely and I really need to [be].
What does it feel like to be releasing an album while other artists are pushing back their releases?
Was there any apprehension on your part?
Music is not meant for us to hoard.
How long was the recording process for this album?
I started writing like a year ago.
I haven’t really taken any time off from writing or recording.
No, like conscious time.
I’m always in and out of the studio, and trying different things.
Were there any albums or songs you were influenced by that you wantedGood To Knowto sound like?
My inspiration was a lot of hip-hop, sonically.
Torontos impact on the music scene cant be understated.
Thankfully, I was working with producers that I really trusted like Coc McKinney and Lido and 30 Roc.
I knew I needed a lot of bass, I knew I needed s— to hit hard.
Im a very sensual person.
I need to feel it.
This album feels very R&B as most of your recent stuff does.
But, a lot of things you released early on were very, very pop.
I don’t really think about genre that much.
I think people bring up genre with me much more than I really bring it up to myself.
Most people would have quit or just tried something else completely in the music industry.
I know that I was put here to communicate something to people and I think that that’s it.
I’ve seen so much of this and there’s no going back.
Mad Lovewas released in 2016.
Youve taken longer gaps before between alums.
Did any fear or pressure creep in before you got to this point in the process withGood To Know?
The biggest hurdle was putting outMad Love.
My fears ride like this rollercoaster.
Sometimes Im like, Im fearless b—-, and other times Im like, Oh my god.
What am I going to do.
Was I scared that people werent going to give a s—?
No, because I sell out my tours.
What was the incentive behind that?
It felt like an opportunity to reclaim my time and ensure that my history wasn’t erased.
All my peers’ music is easily accessible.
I just wanted to take back my story a little bit.
By owning these masters that means I am now in control of syncing and licensing with these new versions.
I’m only interested in the present and the future.
I don’t relate to my 13-year-old self at all.
I’m a grown-ass woman, it felt like a boss b—- move.
Your past label situation with Blackground was so horrible.
I’m not looking for these people to be my family or to be my providers.
It’s also the difference between being 13, being 12, and being 29.
You didnt get a Grammy despite being featured, right?
Yeah, PJ had already written that song before I got on it.
Thats his award, I don’t know about a certificate or anything like that.
That was my first time at the Grammys, I promised myself I wouldnt go until I was nominated.
It was such an incredible moment for me and sharing it with PJ?
Im just so happy Im on this journey with him.
So we’re very, very, close right now.
[laughs] I have been cooking and baking a lot.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
