JoJo’s Debut Album Turns 15 | UB Celebrates: JoJo’s First Interview

In early June of 2004, TMHxone.com (our former website) posted a new interview from a new artist signed to Blackground/Universal.

JoJo, was like no other artists before here. We were asked to preview her album and interview her. The lead single from her debut album “Leave (Get Out)” was creating a buzz and would later go #1. Making JoJo the youngest solo artist to have a #1 single at the age of 13.

However it was the album preview that had us all in awe. Her vocals, for someone her age were crazy. Then there was her remake of SWV‘s hit 90s single “Weak.” We were sold!

Today, June 22nd is the 15th anniversary of that debut album.

Although the original album is not available for purchase or stream. JoJo recently rerecorded the album and re-released it on her own imprint Clover Music.

After appearing on America’s Most Talented Kids at age 11, JoJo was signed to Da Family Entertainment. Which released her debut album through Blackground/Universal Motown Records .

JoJo debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200, went platinum and sold three million copies worldwide propelled by the success of its hit singles “Baby It’s You” and the gold-certified “Leave (Get Out),” which hit No. 1 at Top 40. In 2006, JoJo released her second album “The High Road,” which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 and spawned the hit single “Too Little Too Late,” which broke the record for biggest one-week jump into the Top 3. In 2010 JoJo released her first ever mix tape, Can’t Take That Away From Me, which saw over 185,000 downloads the first week of release.

Also a talented actress, JoJo appeared on the TV programs The Bernie Mac Show and American Dreams, and the feature films RV (with Robin Williams) and Aquamarine, which earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice Breakout (Female).

She was also nominated for two Billboard Music Awards for “Leave (Get Out)” and an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist making her the youngest artist ever to be nominated for a VMA.

JoJo signed with Atlantic and dropped “Mad Love” in 2016. Featuring the hit “Fuck Apologies” featuring Wiz Khalifa.

JoJo is currently working on a new album release via Warner Bros.

In celebration of the release of JoJo‘s debut album. We take you back to that first interview. We knew then, she would be around for decades to come. AriesUBG talked to her about her debut album, Aaliyah, songwriting, remaking SWV‘s “Weak” and more.

Aries (T M H): Are you nervous about coming out at such an early age?
JoJo: I would say not really, I’ve been working for this my whole life really. Now it’s just paying off and I’m excited about what’s ahead.

Aries (T M H): Which singer has influenced you the most?
JoJo: Well when I was younger and coming up I would say Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Whitney Houston. Really a diverse group of singers. Now I’m really into hip-hop and more R&B.; I would say Ludacris and Kanye West definitely.

Aries (T M H): Being signed to Blackground, did you ever have the pleasure of meeting Aaliyah, if so did she offer you any advice as a new artist?
JoJo: No unfortunately I was signed to Blackground after Aaliyah passed. I never got the chance to meet her. Aaliyah definitely had an effect on me and my career, she was signed at 14 also. Barry (Hankerson) is basically using a lot of the same formula they used to break Aaliyah with me.

Aries (T M H): Tell me about your appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show?
JoJo: (laughs) Oh my God, I was so young. They aired a video that I had recorded. I never actually did the show. They saw me on Kids Say the Darndest Things On The Road In Boston & made a call to get me on the show.

Aries (T M H): What kind of role do your parents play in your career?
JoJo: Well my mom is my manager and my dad has always been very supportive.

Aries (T M H): You worked with a variety of producers for your project, who did you enjoy working with the most?
JoJo: Oh my god, I would say The Underdogs, they did the song you’re listening to right now (Never Say). I had so much fun with them. We would stay up late just clowning. We had a secret handshake (laughs).

Aries (T M H): You’re also a writer, being so young were you ever worried the label wouldn’t take your writing serious?
JoJo: Yeah, I mean that’s the thing when you’re young a lot of older people don’t think you have anything to say. I have a lot of views and things that I deal with on a daily, so it was hard and still is to prove myself as a writer.

Aries (T M H): Your cover of SWV’s “Weak” has to be without one of the best covers I’ve ever heard, what made you want to record it?
JoJo: Wow, thank you. Actually Vincent Herbert who co-executive produced my album came up with the idea of me recording it. He picked the perfect song. Brian Morgan who did SWV’s version also produced it and he told me stories about how when Coko first recorded it, how she wanted it to be perfect. It fits me well because I am going through things like that, like my first love and all those things that come with it.

Aries (T M H): What’s next for JoJo?
JoJo: Hopefully world domination (laughs). There are no set dates as of yet but I will be hitting the road soon. I’ve been doing some radio shows, I did one for Wild 98 in Tampa a few weeks ago. I was the only singer and the only female, everybody else was hip-hop. The show went great! People in the crowd were singing the song and screaming “sing it girl” (laughs). It was great!

Aries (T M H): What artists would you like to work with if any?
JoJo: Oh my god, Kanye West. I think he is so talented and incredible. I listen to his CD about 20 times a day (laughs). Justin Timberlake, he is very talented. Bow Wow because he is good looking (laughs) also because he is a good rapper. Toni Braxton who is my labelmate. We talked on the phone a few days ago and she said we would go out and have tea when she comes to New York.

Aries (T M H): Any last words for your fans?
JoJo: Yes, thanks for all your support.