T2T EXCLUSIVE

By Kandice Mathews (Intern)

Everyone at some point in time has always wondered how it would be to sit down and talk with one of their favorite entertainers to see what his or her innermost thoughts were or to feel the vibe for their rhythm. Well, I had the pleasure and opportunity to speak with Yung Joc, the young, native Atlanta rapper, and get to know the “man behind the mic.”

Yung Joc is Atlanta born and raised and has proven he has the talent and the lyrics to get the crowd moving. He is best known for his first single and smash hit, “It’s Goin’ Down,” which debuted in 2006. Yung Joc has a certain suaveness and calm about himself which makes you feel like you’ve known him for years.

Kandice: What made you decide to become an entertainer?

Yung Joc: Well, let’s just say that I’ve always naturally been an entertainer as a kid. I’m a people person, I don’t just like to entertain, I love to entertain. The origin of me becoming an entertainer professionally came from a natural sense. Overtime I realized that it was something I loved to do and it was my passion. So, I decided to pursue it.

Kandice: How did you choose your stage name?

Yung Joc: Well, my real name is Josiel, but my mother nicknamed me Joc because of a character on a TV show. A woman by the name of Carolyn Miller told me that I should be “Yung Joc” because I never grow any hair on my face and I look “young.” At first I was not like, no, because there was already someone with “young” in their name, Young Jeezy, but she told me not to worry about it and that my name was going to be Yung Joc.

Kandice: Who do you look up to in the industry?

Yung Joc: People like Puffy, Will Smith and Quincy Jones. There are a lot of cats I look up to that I could name for days. Each person has a quality that I think is essential to success. Puffy has a keen eye and ear for talent and his business approach is impeccable.

Kandice: Who is your favorite artist/producer to work with?

Yung Joc: I would have to say Pharrel. He is one of the dopest producers. He is wonderful and I would not mind working with him again.

Kandice: Who would you like to work with that you haven’t already?

Yung Joc: Mary J. Blige. If I could do one song with Mary J., I would be happy. I have a song I would love to have her on right now called, “Crazy.” It would be crazy if I could have her on this track.

Kandice: How do you give back to your community and to your fans?

Yung Joc: I’m a big philanthropist and I love life. I’ve donated money to charities and I enjoy speaking to children and troubled kids. I usually speak at churches and the Boys and Girls Clubs.

Kandice: What advice do you have for others trying to get into the music industry and what’s next for you?

Yung Joc: I would basically tell them to stay focused and keep honing your craft. Be aware of the changes of the industry and be prepared to deal with those changes. Preparation is the key. I’m working on releasing my new album “Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood,” and my new single, “Yea Boi,” which is already playing in some areas.