You might remember Jojo, the teen pop and R&B sensation who gained fame at the age of 12 in the early 2000s. Her hit songs “Leave (Get Out),” “Too Little Too Late,” and “Baby It’s You,” helped all of us 90’s girls through the emotional trauma of middle school romance. Maybe you know her from her short-lived acting career featured in the movies Aquamarine and RV. Yet, after 2006, she seemingly disappeared from the public eye, returning only sporadically. So, what happened ?
While we were busy paying attention to Britney Spears’ mental breakdowns and Lindsay Lohan’s multiple trips to rehab, Jojo was trapped in restricted recording contracts that exemplify the worst aspects of the music industry.
Jojo was first signed to Da Family Entertainment at age 12, when she released her first two albums. In 2009, after three years of little to no success, Jojo sued the company for putting her in “musical limbo" -- quickly signing to another label, with whom she planned to release her widely anticipated third album.
The second recording company she worked with, Blackground Music, prevented Jojo from releasing any new music commercially. After several years of continued frustration, Jojo almost gave up her music career entirely, strongly considering the atypical American option of higher education, in attending Northeastern College.
College for the musician was put on hold, as her label continued to hand out empty promises of new music in the near future. Finally, in 2013, Jojo sued Blackground Music and Da Family Entertainment for irreversible damage to her singing career, arguing that the contract binding her was invalid since she was a minor when she signed it.
After a long legal battle, ending just last year, she regained her creative freedom and is signed to a new label- Atlantic Records. Now, Jojo is back and more soulful than ever.
If you head to her website (you can find it here) you'll hear what she calls her "tringle”— three singles released at once.
The songs-- “Say Love,” “Save My Soul,” and “When Love Hurts" --seamlessly blend the original Jojo we knew and loved with an updated, more sophisticated Jojo.
Taking inspiration from Disclosure’s album Settle and MNEK, the dance-inducing tunes demonstrate her seemingly endless vocal range. The song “Say My Soul” tells the story of Jojo’s experience witnessing addiction firsthand, while “When Love Hurts” and “Say Love” express Jojo’s recent run-ins with love and heartbreak.
The now 24-year-old has matured vocally and stylistically and it's clear that she’s not afraid to show it.
The singer plans to go on tour, recently performing in Atlantic City. If you’re an old fan, don’t fret, Jojo has promised to bring back her old music as she performs across the country. Currently, Jojo is working on the creation of three music videos for each of her new singles and has plans to release more music following their premieres. Her upcoming album will be her first in nine years.
But is it too little too late? Can Jojo make it in the modern day music industry, competing with the Taylor Swifts and Beyoncés of this world? I think I speak for all girls who were tweens in the 2000s by saying, we sure hope so. There can never be too many girl power ballads.
