JOKO : Crystalline, soulful vocals from a French chanteuse
Joko (originally from Cameroon, Africa) is a French songwriter, who’s part of a new wave of French pop music that is full of equal parts energy, vitality, and sensuality. Her soulful, crystalline voice tells tales of love, women’s struggles, and freedom. She also uses music as a way to heal the soul for having lost her mother at a very young age. Joko cities many strong female vocalists as influences on her music, includind Billie Holiday, Mary J.Blige, France Gall, Sade, Nina Simone, Nneka, and Pauline Croze.
In 2010, Joko was spotted by the record label Antipodes Music, who offered her a solo project (she had previously worked in a five-member girl group). Her first solo album, 2011’s Instinctive, was released through Antipodes Music. It received airplay across many community radio stations in France, and was supported by tours ans showcases all over the country.
This was followed but the release of Joko’s second album, Chercheuse d’or, in 2012. For this album, she was coached by Sarah Sanders (who’s worked with many celebrated French artists), and was also accompanied by renowned musicians like Haile Jno Baptiste (guitarist for Ben L’oncle Soul), bassist William Farley (M, Sandra Nkake) and director Alias LJ. In May 2012, the album’s first single, « Chercheuse d’or » was released, and accompanied by a music video. This was followed by the « Hum hum hum » single, an homage to the great singer yéyé, who died prematurely
MEDIA
PARIS MATCH, LE PARISIEN, EUROPE 1, Le JDD, couv du magazine AMINA, M6 (Absolument Star), FRANCE 2 ("Hebdo Musique Mag" + "Tous chez les Stars"), FRANCE Ô ("Ô Féminin"), etc... Classée par le magazine ELLE parmi les 10 chanteuses qui montent, l’album de Joko a également été choisi par DEEZER dans la Sélection album chanson en mars 2013.
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