If you're a nineties baby, chances are you spent middle school listening to "Leave (Get Out)," "Baby it's You," or "Too Little Too Late."
Jojo had signed to Blackground Record Company at 12 years old with a deal that would give her seven albums. Jojo had no trouble getting her career started, but little did she know, she'd have trouble continuing her career. As Jojo's career took off, fans were hungry for more music, so everyone was naturally curious when there wasn't a new album to follow "The High Road." In an interview with Buzzfeed in 2013, Jojo explained that her third album had been completed for some time but Blackground had failed to continue producing her music and didn't give Jojo any clearance to her songs. Frankly, Jojo found herself locked up in a metaphorical prison with being held back by the record company.
In 2009, Jojo filed her first lawsuit against Da Family Entertainment/Blackground for a breach of contract. It was reported that Jojo went through, "alleging the label failed to secure distribution for her album and forced her into a state of limbo. The suit, however, was ultimately dropped after the label found distribution with Interscope — only to lose it again three years later." Then in 2013, Jojo filed a lawsuit with the New York Supreme Court against Blackground and Da Family, proclaiming that the record company still was failing to distribute her third album, including with the lack of payment to the production team for their contribution to the unreleased record. Included within this battle, Jojo tried to have a particular New York state law on her side. This law is known to protect minors who are trapped in contracts that have gone over seven years. for Jojo, her contract would have been expired in 2011 but in 2013, Jojo was still appearing in court to set herself free.
Though she was being held hostage within her contract, Jojo didn't stop creating music. She released multiple mixtapes and released a popular cover of Drake's Marvin's Room. With a supportive legal team, In January of 2014, Jojo finally gained the musical freedom she had been waiting for. Now, fast-forwarding to 2016, and fans couldn't be more excited for what Jojo has in store. 2015 had been a big step for Jojo as she released an EP of three brand new singles. The EP, called "III," holds the songs, "When Love Hurts," "Say Love and Save My Soul"; not to mention, Jojo has also released music videos for each single as well. In addition, Jojo has performed an unreleased song, "I am," which speaks volumes of how Jojo has overcome personal struggles, and being one of those fans who have heard it live, this song will top the charts with her chilling vocals. On Twitter, fans have been begging as to when new music will be released; though her album release date is unknown, it is set to come out in 2016. Joao has explained that the album will be released when she feels as though it is just right.
It has been about twelve years since her career started, and even though she has fought battles, Jojo is bigger and better than ever. Other artists better watch out for this warrior, Jojo is back on top.
