Interview, Emily MayEmily MayFebruary 07, 2022Emily May, Josh Stokes, Interview

Interview: Josh Stokes

Interview, Emily MayEmily MayFebruary 07, 2022Emily May, Josh Stokes, Interview

Josh Stokes is a musical force to be reckoned with. Born and raised in Baltimore, his childhood was steeped in faith, family, and music/the arts, and his gifts were nurtured throughout his childhood. Growing up in the church, playing drums, watching choir rehearsals, and watching plays come together are all experiences that shaped his life. Josh has performed, recorded, and toured with many artists over the past 20 years, such as Redman & Method Man, Marsha Ambrosius, Kim Burrell, Erica Campbell, Future Islands, Jpegmafia, Abdu Ali, Joy Postell, and Blaqstarr to name a few, allowing him to learn many lessons that have shaped the artist he is today. With a sound he calls New Age Funk, his music blends new-age soul with a twist of R&B, funk, and psychedelic punk. In 2020, Josh hosted 2 outdoor music festivals in Baltimore, NuLove 1 & 2, bringing the city together and offering a break from Covid, with a documentary later being made about the festivals. Having released his first solo album Who Is Josh Stokes? in 2016, Funktion in 2018, and Toons in 2020, 2021 saw the release of his latest album God Jewel, inspired by the perseverance and belief in one’s self, while showcasing a family of songs surrounding life, love, and new sounds. His latest single, “I Believe”. “I Believe" is a fearless, unapologetic anthem challenging systematic oppression while championing the unwanted and underprivileged. Giving them a voice and spirit of triumph”, says Josh. “Overall the message of the song is believing in yourself, no matter your environment, and how all in all every place is pretty much the same as far as the class system. Rich people, poor people, and the rich trying to control the poor. Control them to feel like they're less than and that they could never be in the position of being rich, but it's really a form of programming. If you control someone's self-esteem you can affect their growth. Navigating dangerous streets (police, innocent bystanders, enemies) and having to know where to go and not go it's all a plot to distract and derail. I believe we can overcome all of that and create the world we imagine!”. With plans to tour this summer and produce a few albums, he plans to continue climbing the ladder towards his success! You can connect with Josh Stokes via the following links:

You grew up in Baltimore as the son of a preacher and with a love for gospel music. What can you tell me about your childhood and developing a love for music and the ways in which your gospel roots have influenced the music you make? How has Baltimore influenced you, both personally and artistically?

Josh- My childhood was extremely rich with family and the arts. Before my father started his church, my uncle had his. With the gifts I was born with, I was fortunate to nurture them. We would be there at least three days out of the week and I loved it because I was able to play drums all the time, watch choir rehearsal, and see plays come together. To this day I am forever grateful for those experiences that shaped my life. Gospel music is a highly spiritual Black art form that cannot be ignored. The feeling you get from it, whether you’re a believer or not will affect you. Today I am not a Christian, but gospel music, especially older gospel music, is powerful.

Baltimore is a tough place. It's not for the weak. I don’t mean fighting or killing. I mean the mentality. We persevere in spite of everything. Baltimore has influenced me to remain myself, create my own style, and never give up. To be a force to be reckoned with whether acknowledged by the mainstream or not. Do you know how many styles of music, dress, and lingo we created? How many legends live in, and are inspired by the life of Baltimore. Baltimore inspires me to hustle, and get what’s mine.

Having worked and shared the stage with so many amazing artists, what kind of influence do you feel they had on you and what did you learn from them about what it really takes to sustain a music career?

Josh- Working with so many artists as a child until now has shown me how to be professional, strive for excellence, and give everything I have. Take no shortcuts. They’ve also shown me that everything can’t be friendly and smiles. You have to handle your business. We have a history of being used by labels, promoters etc., and we will not be taken advantage of anymore. You have to use your voice.

You emerged on the scene as a solo artist in 2016 with your album Who Is Josh Stokes?. How would you describe that album and how it introduced you as an artist? You have said that as a result of releasing that album, you were presented with other great opportunities that would take you further and further into your musical, but ultimately life, journey. In what ways do you see those two journeys as being connected?

Josh- I would describe WIJS as me jumping two feet in the pool… SPLASH! Here, I am world. I wanted to share my ideas with the world because I knew they were worthy of being heard. It was an array of sounds and ideas that had been floating in my head. I was ready to step out and do my thing. After releasing WIJS, show opportunities, collaborations (production, writing, performing etc.) began to open up for me just as I knew they would. In my world, music and life go hand and hand. I wouldn’t have a life without it. Music is my savior. Being a Black man from an inner-city you must have a passion. Something that will keep you focused and out of trouble because it's too easy to do. We’ve all seen examples of that.

Your album Funktion stands as a living testament to the generative importance of funk music and how it permeates so many functions of pop music that we take for granted today. Why do you feel that funk music has stood the test of time and has influenced so much of the music that has come after? In what ways has it influenced you and your music and how would you describe your New Age Funk sound?

Josh- Thank you so much! Funk ain’t nothin’ but the blues. The blues is in any genre alive today. It’s stood the test of time because I feel it’s the truest, an art form. I believe it shows the genius of black artistry and it continues to update itself through the youth. New name, same game. It influences me by making me feel free and stick to my guns. I would describe my New Age Funk as Bold, Black, and standing on the shoulders of the great people who came before me. I consider it an honor to be connected to them.

In 2020, you hosted two outdoor music festivals in Baltimore, NuLove 1 & 2. What inspired you to host these festivals and in what ways do you feel that they brought the community together? What can you tell me about the NuLove Fest Documentary that was made about the festivals?

Josh- What inspired me to create the NuLove Fest was the lack of events at the time due to covid. Friends and colleagues were playing outside and I saw that as an opportunity to create an outlet for the artists in the city to perform. It brought the community together in a major way. Hundreds of people gathered on North & Charles in Baltimore. You could feel the joy outside that night. Everyone was happy to be back outside. I believe it helped us in a major way and helped take some of the stress off of the citizens of the city. NuLove Fest was a monumental moment in history that deserved to be documented. It also proved to me that not only am I a musician but a creator in its entirety. No creator is one-track-minded. We can do anything. We just have certain pieces we choose to focus on. It was a proud moment for me and it gave me a greater sense of confidence. The world will know about NuLove Fest.

As a multidisciplinary artist, you also created your own animated series, Turd Ferguson and the Shitheadz, from illustration to sound production. What inspired you to start the series and what can you tell me about it?

Josh- Yes! That is another project I am truly proud of. The idea was always in my head. It was just a matter of sitting down and doing it, which was the most challenging part. While the world was shut down with no live music or studio sessions, I took that same energy and finally sat down to write and draw the show. It’s about a local band of friends who wanted to make it to the big time in the music industry. Every episode is a fun-filled journey. New town, new friends, same shitheadz. I was able to finish a five-episode season. Check it out whenever you can.

Last year, you released your latest album God Jewel, inspired by the perseverance and believing in oneself. What can you tell me about the album and its message, as well as the process of recording it, which you have said was done in your van?

Josh- God Jewel was such a liberating experience for me in all ways! The message of God Jewel is that You’re God! The highest power! Stop allowing the world to dictate who you are and go do your thing. We’re that powerful and it’s time we believe it. All power to the people! I recorded most of the vocals in my van. I loved every minute of it. I'm proving to myself I can do anything. I'm just spreading that message.

You recently released your new single "I Believe”, a spinoff of an old political campaign called 'Baltimore Believe'. In what ways did that campaign message resonate with you and what can you tell me about the song?

Josh- “I Believe” wasn’t a spinoff of the “Baltimore Believe” campaign. It just happened to go together so well my manager suggested the idea. I am speaking to underprivileged people who feel they have no chance of overcoming in this life. The people who’ve been behind in the race of life since they were born. Victims of police brutality, corrupt government, hurt in the home, insecurity, lack of funds, whatever. “I Believe” is for you! No matter what position you’re in you can still make it happen. Nothing can stop you!

In "I Believe", you talk about the power of believing in yourself, no matter your environment, and how controlling a person's self-esteem controls their growth. Having said that, you have talked about how you always embraced your greatness but had a tendency to hide it. How would you describe your journey of learning to not hide your greatness and to live your purpose out loud?

Josh- My journey in learning is not to hide my greatness, which came from trial and error. By doing great work, but living in the shadows. I am naturally an introvert. So I'm comfortable there, but I realized I wouldn’t get all of what is mine if I never stepped out and claimed it. I learned that people's opinions of me don't matter. It only matters what I think about me. And I love me! I know I’m amazing! It’s just getting started. I'm coming to get everything that is mine. I know it only gets brighter from here!

With everything going on in this country (and the world in general), what gives you hope right now? How do you feel that we can collectively overcome the hurdles we face and create a better world?

Josh- What gives me hope is that the people in this country will realize the power we have together. We can collectively overcome by not falling victim to mainstream media and divisive propaganda. By seeing a human as a human, not an enemy. There has been great damage done to this country, since its origin, which may never happen, but just knowing we are greater together than apart makes me want to keep striving.

What can you tell me about your 'YOUNG GIFTED & BLACK' movement?

Josh- “Young Gifted & Black” is a vision from the mind of the great Lorraine Hansberry (Raisin In The Sun) and the state of mind of Ms. Nina Simone. Watching her documentary gave me a refreshing hope and pride in myself and my race. I’m a proud Black man and I am grateful for my lineage. It is an attitude, that I am great. And I come from greatness. I am so proud of that. I encourage every person to tap into your greatness and walk in the spirit of your ancestors. They got us!

What are your thoughts on the power of music as a catalyst to change people and change the world? Who are some of the artists that have had the greatest impact on you?

Josh- Music is a spiritual experience! It’s been simplified in human form and tampered with by corporations to make money and manipulate, but it’s so much bigger than that. Music will turn you into a person you didn’t even know you could be. That’s why it’s also important to make sure the music you’re taking in is building you up and not tearing you down. Artists that have had the greatest impact on me are Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, James Brown, Sly Stone, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, George Clinton, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, J Dilla, D’Angelo, and Paul Mooney.

What's next for you?

Josh- I am planning a tour for the summer. I’m producing a few albums, continuing to climb this ladder, seeing all of the greatest places and people life presents!

Emily May