JoJo Pellegrino used to be down with Violator, until the day he saw Bubba Sparxxx posters on the office walls, yet remained frustrated by the lack of attention his own release had received for the last two years. HHDX caught up with JoJo in Little Italy to dine & discuss his dreams of making dough as an independent and living in a world where White rappers got along.
Are you still signed to Violator?
I’m not associated with Violator in any way. That wasn’t the place for me to be. It took a while to get out but I’m completely out of the Sony system. I’ve been away from them for about 2 years — 100%.
Were you signed to Violator management?
I was signed through Violator Records that was distributed through Loud. So throughout all the miscommunications with Loud Records folding and everything, I got pissed off and I didn’t know what was going on. I felt like I deserved more communication and more records released. I wanted out so I got out.
Did you ever release a record?
They never properly released “Fogedaboudid” which was where the beef started. My beef. Like I-don’t-want-to-be-here type of beef. I was like these dudes don’t put records out the right way. Because “Fogedaboudid” deserved it. It was the first season of The Sopranos. I had James Gandolfini, Pauly Walnuts and Hugh Grant dedicated to show up to the video shoot. They never shot the video. They said you need a certain amount of spins and when I looked at the spins, my number was well over that amount. It was problems from day one. They should have told me we’re not looking to put out a JoJo record. We’re looking to sign you and hold you for two years. They weren’t being honest. By the time I started seeing Bubba Sparxxx posters hanging up around the Violator office, I was like I’m out of here.
What’s going on now?
Every day of my life since I’ve been making music. For myself. I’ve been sitting back and watching what this business is about. Watching other entrepreneurs coming up. There were a lot of changes in my career. My production company, which was Great World, we split. No bad terms. I had other management and these guys were making great moves and then got incarcerated. So I’ve been making music for myself, staying out of trouble and not stressing this game. I know once I approach it the right way, the records are there. I’ll be OK. I’m doing the independent thing. I really want to make $7.25 off of each CD. I’m not worried about being a huge star. That will come. I’ll build up the finances and I’ll make it happen on my own. That’s my goal these days. I have my new team called Mental Instruments. I started my own label called Pellevision. And we’re going to start making moves, fund the album and videos myself, with my partner. The distribution companies are already hollering because I got a little name for myself and I got the money. It’s a no-brainer for them.
What are some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way?
The most important thing is always do what’s in your heart. Don’t make music how someone else tells you to make music. That doesn’t mean don’t take advice. Don’t believe everything you see or read. It’s all a major game. But you control your own destiny.
What inspires you?
I look at some of these people that people like myself or other artists are looking for love from — these big execs — and what are they doing that I can’t do? I do this for music, not for money. There’s been plenty of times when I’ve sacrificed everything I had for music. I look at these other people in the game “Rawkus Records” these people really popped it off. Steve Rifkind. What makes him mentally on so much of a larger level than I could be on? Look at all these dudes that are owning their own labels, Jim Jones. Why can Jim Jones do it and not JoJo Pellegrino?
You said before that Eminem should have signed you three years ago.
I’m no one to say how he should do his business. The kid knows I exist. There seems to be these things with white rappers, they seem to all hate each other. Because they’re all fighting over who’s black and who’s not. I’m blacker than you are. I’m not like that. I already know for a fact these other rappers haven’t seen or been around the shit I’ve been around. Which doesn’t make me a gangsta or a killer or Black. I don’t walk around fighting with white rappers over who’s blacker. Eminem told me I was dope and he wanted to work with me. Paul Rosenberg and his peoples have extended his arm out to me a couple of times with love. But I was dealing with Violator at the time. And I appreciate that love. But if Eminem doesn’t nip something like this in the bud, and I’m not threatening Eminem. He’s untouchable. But his credibility is going to be in the red zone in a minute. I’m going all out for mine. I would love to work with him. But if not, I will be a problem for that kid in the near future.
who is this genovese?
I remember picking JOJO up in a cab back on Staten Island in 2004 or something. I didn’t even know who he was. I was only vaguely aware of him (I heard him on the GTA 3 soundtrack plus word of mouth). We talked and he seemed cool, and its funny because I remember upon him exiting my taxi, I told him that he should do his thing especially since Eminem was falling off (I’m a big EM fan but this was after he dropped Encore {not EM’s best album} and had started his hiatus). I almost feel like I put it in Pellegrino’s head but I realize that’s silly, but I really did tell him that. Either way, I think Pellegrino is dope and he brings a different flavor to hip hop. I grew up on Nas, Biggie, Pun, Pac, Jay-z, Ruff Ryders, Scarface, Eminem, Bone thugs, Wu Tang and many other artist (obviously the majority black rappers, which isn’t surprising since rap is a black sport)… but occasionally it is refreshing and appealing to hear a different voice with a different message and I feel JOJO Pellegrino has that quality. The boy is nice with the rhymes to say the least. He should continue to record and pursue what he desires and stay grounded to that Shaolin Island, New York shit. Although, I feel he should avoid threatening Eminem and pay him homage in his music, it may help him garner more attention (perhaps shout him out and speak on how both can relate to the difficulties of succeeding in black music, something they both have in common and can probably relate about). I think that would benefit him more because it will seem more humble and it will help demonstrate a common ground. Also, it would be nice if The WU did more shit and included JOJO on it, that way it could help him gain more exposure, bring the focus back to Staten Island and give us more Wu Tang madness. Bottom line, Pellegrino has skills and its dope that he reps from an Italian stand point, even though I could never stand the south shore of the island (bunch of privileged white boys posing like their black), I know not everyone from the south shore is like that but at least Pellegrino is being faithful to who he is and where he’s from which is something that not all artist do. YA know… Homiey? Big ups hip hop 4-E.