Life & Work with Jojank of Pomona, California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jojank.

Hi Jojank, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is playing an old, out of tune upright piano in the youth room of my church. My love of piano evolved into a passion to create my own music. We didn’t have a lot of money so I would always make do with what I had and never get a lack of gear get in the way of creation. My iphone and earbuds became my prized possessions, my setups were overly diy and janky, but I felt like I was making magic. To this day, I don’t have the most elaborate or expensive equipment, just some basics to get the job done, and an unflinching ever expanding imagination.

My main influences range from Jimi Hendrix, to Ahmad Jamal, to Lil B, to Prince to MIKE, to Chief Keef and more, but at the end of the day I owe my creative attitude and direction to the punk movement. Purposely abrasive, unapologetically political, driven by underground communities of real marginalized people.

The punk scene in Pomona, California is where I got my start and fell in love with playing live music (outside of school band, where I played alto saxophone and keys) and even as I dove deeper into hip-hop/r&b, I kept those experiences as the blueprint for my events and releases.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There is an uncountable amount of challenges being a young, black, non-binary artist in this country, but at the end of the day ~90% of the problems stem from money. Business and art interact horribly, and most if not all of the issues I’ve ever run into in the music space involve it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a producer, rapper, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist. I specialize in keys and hip hop/r&b production. What sets me apart from others is my perspective.

What’s next?
Plans for the future are to keep dropping music, keep planning shows, and connect with genuine, mutually respectful artists and art-enjoyers. Being involved with and cultivating a politically aware and active community is vital given the current trajectory of this country.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jojank_
• Twitter: https://x.com/jojank_
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jojank18
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/XnV3b2pZrSQcdZHes7

Image Credits
zeph
giovanna trujillo
chey