At just 15 years old, JOSIAHDAVIS. is already making waves in the hip-hop scene. Hailing from a musical family, with his father Chris Davis being a well-known rapper in Eastern Washington, JOSIAHDAVIS. has carved out his own path in the industry. In this exclusive interview with Spate Magazine, he opens up about his early career, creative process, and his exciting new collaboration with Futuristic. From managing school life to planning for the future, JOSIAHDAVIS. is a young artist with big dreams and even bigger talent.
Career Beginnings
and Influences
(SM) At just 15 years old, you’ve already achieved a lot in your career. Can you tell ushow you got started in music and what inspired you to pursue hip-hop at such a young age?
(JOSIAHDAVIS.) I’ve been into music for as long as I can remember. Even as a baby, when most kids would exclusively listen to things like CocoMelon to relax and calm down, I would be listening to Ready To Die by Biggie Smalls. So music and hip-hop especially have been a huge building block of my life. Plus it helps that my dad is essentially a legend in the local hip-hop scene where I’m from, so I would grow up with him leaving to go to shows at night and stuff.
(SM) Coming from a musical family, especially with your father, Chris Davis, being a renowned rapper in Eastern Washington, how has your family influenced your music and career path?
(JOSIAHDAVIS.) My dad is the other biggest creative mind in everything that I do. All the creative decisions I have to make, all the music I make, I run it by him. He has a really good ear and he has much more experience than I do, so it makes things a whole lot easier and a lot less strain on my brain. I’m really grateful for him truly.
Creative Process
and “STUCK WIT U”
(SM) “STUCK WIT U” marks a significant moment in your career with a collaboration with Futuristic. Can you walk us through the creative process behind the song and how the collaboration came about?
(JOSIAHDAVIS.) Me and
Futuristic both played the same festival together in June of this year in my
hometown of Richland, WA. We were playing the same day at the same venue. I got
to the venue early enough to be able to catch his sound check, so I got to
learn a lot just observing. Me and him even got to chop it up a bit when he was
done and I got to introduce myself. Later on, when I was performing. I saw him
in the crowd talking to my pops. After my set was done I was talking to people
and taking some picture, and then my manager comes up to me and says
“Futuristic wants to talk to you.” Me and him chopped it up some more and he
had nothing but kind words, he’s genuinely such a nice guy. And one thing led
to another, and now we have a song together.
(SM) The track is set to release exclusively on EVEN before hitting all streaming platforms. What made you choose EVEN as the platform for this release, and how do you feel about the importance of artists having control over their art in today’s industry?
(JOSIAHDAVIS.) EVEN is such a cool platform because it allows the artists to have complete control of their music, which sadly has become somewhat of an anomaly in the industry. It also allows the fans of these artists to feel closer to the artist in a way, because they know that they’re getting their music directly from the artist instead of being filtered through a record label. Plus the artist gets to keep the profits. I believe having control of your art is such a powerful thing. Being able to make something and be content that all of it is 100% yours is such an incredible feeling
Personal Style
and Message
(SM) Your music is often described as soulful and introspective, with a blend of vulnerable, melodic hip-hop. How would you define your style, and what message do you hope to convey to your listeners through your music?
(JOSIAHDAVIS.) My main motivation is to
make music for people who feel very deep, very strong emotions like I do. Doesn’t matter in what style I do that in,
whether I’m rapping, singing, playing guitar, playing piano, as long as I’m
able to achieve that overall goal, then that is really all that matters to me.
I don’t ever wanna be held to the confines of a “genre”
(SM) Your debut project, “Welcome To Nowhere,” introduced your unique sound to the world. How do you see your music evolving from that project to now, especially with the release of “STUCK WIT U”?
(JOSIAHDAVIS.) Quite frankly, to me at least, there’s no telling where I might go. I’ve done so many styles for this new project I have coming up, even if it never comes out it’s validation that I have that versatility. So really I just wanna keep evolving on that. By the end of my career, I wanna have at least 1 song for literally everybody, any genre, any mood, anything.
Industry
Experiences and Mentorship
(SM) You’ve had the opportunity to perform alongside seasoned artists like Hobo Johnson and Futuristic. What have you learned from these experiences, and how have they influenced your growth as an artist?
(JOSIAHDAVIS.) I’ve learned a lot from them even just based on things like
how they interact with their fans. It was by being around them and being at
those shows that I learned the importance of having a strong connection with
your fans, because quite frankly, you don’t have a career without them. Both of
them have helped me tremendously in my development.
(SM) Futuristic praised you as “the most talented, mature artist” he’s heard at your age. How do you handle the pressure and expectations that come with such high praise from industry veterans?
(JOSIAHDAVIS.) It can definitely be a lot at times. I actually had a conversation about it with someone really close to me the other day and she told me that I have these expectations for a reason. It’s not like I was just thrown into this situation with no preperation, I’ve been working at this for years and now people are starting to recognize the talent and the work. So that brings me a little bit of comfort.
Future
Aspirations
(SM) With your career just beginning to take off, what are some of your long-term goals as an artist? Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
(JOSIAHDAVIS.) I truly want to have as big and as loyal as a fanbase as I
can. I feel like in the next 5 years I 100% have the potential to do that if we
can on the trajectory we’re on currently. I also wanna eventually be in
complete control of my musical process, and I’m working on getting better on
the skills needed to do that right now.
(SM) What can fans expect from you in the near future? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re particularly excited about?
(JOSIAHDAVIS.) I have a project coming out next year, and I’m very proud of it. Genuinely my best body of work I’ve released up to this point. I’m hoping STUCK WIT U. is gonna be a good teaser as to what’s to come with this project, but frankly the best tracks are the deep cuts, that’s how much effort I put into this.
Personal Insights
(SM) Balancing school and a budding music career must be challenging. How do you manage your time, and what keeps you motivated to continue pursuing your dreams?
(JOSIAHDAVIS.) I have so much love for what I do, that that in itself motivates me and keeps me going. I do make sure I take breaks to focus on myself and make sure that I’m mentally alright though because that’s obviously priority.
(SM) Finally, what advice would you give to other young artists who are looking to break into the music industry?
(JOSIAHDAVIS.) Be yourself, and don’t be deterred by setbacks, because
they are going to happen. Just do what feels right in your heart. You are all
capable of stardom. You are all capable of incredible things, as corny as that
sounds it’s the truth.
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