Growing up in the section of the Bronx I’m from was rough. The neighborhood wasn’t your best place to raise a family. You had to be tough to survive the streets of Webster. I grew up on 183rd and being there practically all my life, it didn’t take me long to grow tough skin to defend myself from all the violence that took place outside in the streets to inside of the building itself. I did what I had to do while still going to school and graduating with a HS diploma which a lot of people in my neighborhood didn’t get to accomplished being soaked up to the street life.
How did music become the passion you wanted to go after?
Performing live and getting the responses off my set gives me the fire to continue thriving. Having the ability to share my stories and helping others who may be going through an experience I’ve already went through also gives me the passion to continue pushing.
How would you describe your sound? What do you want fans to hear when they listen to your music?
Raw, Authentic, wholesome yet cut throat. I want them to hear my stories, I want them to hear me, I want them to hear what I’ve gone through, where I want to get to, and the journey along the way.
You weren’t always called JoeThePoet at one point you were named S.T.A.R. Why the Change?
As I began to discover myself more within music I came to the realization I wasn’t looking for catchy. I was looking for depth and S.T.A.R seem like more of a catchy phrase, such as the “Lil’s” of the industry. So, I re-evaluated myself and thought about a name that would best fit me and my songs are not catchy they are poetic.
What music are you working on now?
My third album titled “Pain Changed Me” but I released 2 recent singles off the project on iTunes, Tidal, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon, etc. The title of those are Legendary and Life Of The Poet.
Who are some of the producers you are currently working with?
Well honestly, I’m producing my album myself. I’ve worked with a few producers in the past Alonzo Fury, Ritschi Beatz from the Netherlands, Solomon from Australia, Yung Nab and Sha Beatz. I still might add them to my upcoming project. We’ll see how it things unfold as I get closer to finishing the album.
What would you say is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in the music business so far?
Support comes from the people you least expect, and you got to invest in yourself.
What is your definition of Grynd?
I’m really a hardworking man. I work 2 full time jobs and still make time to getting some work done no matter the time I have left in a day before going back to work for a 4:45am shift. That’s my definition of Grynd.
Explain how Cide House Records came about?
Noticing how the industry works with wanting an artist to already having 50-75% of the work done before getting the labels behind you I decided to start my own label and just complete 100% of the work. So, the way Cide House Records came about is bunch of individuals in one house that are killing the game in their rightful position whether it’s songwriting, photography, singing, rapping, etc.
Where can we find you on social media?
All my social media handles are on my website
http://musicbythepoet.com/contact
Any Shout outs?
Want to give a shout out to those who continues to push me to be better. I’m not the easiest guy to work with being that I’ve been doing everything by myself, but I love my team who’s been there since day 1. They know who they are.
