Kojo Stone Music

Make Music New York is a live, free celebration of music across the five boroughs of The Big Apple which takes place on the longest day of the year, June 21, the start of summer I might add. With the temperatures rising so were the stakes on some rather unknown artists who plan to break through in a major way this season and beyond. I had a chance to catch up with one of the stellar performeers on the day, Brooklyn’s own Kojo Stone. Check out our exclusive interview.

Jason Bourne: We hear the term tossed around inside of the R&B genre, can you break down a little for us, your definition of Neo-Soul ?

Kojo Stone: Neo-Soul is something that is new, original and derives from your heart. I feel like with so many genres you’re placed in a box, but any song that was originally written from the heart is soul. Songs that send a message but not necessarily on that conscious put your fist in the air “I know that’s right brother” type shit (laughs). But understanding that their was a feeling you had in your soul that led you to express it musically.

Jason Bourne: You have been categorized as a hybrid of Hip Hop, R&B, Jazz; whats the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear that attribute ?

Kojo Stone: Thank you, I gotta get better on my jazz notes. But yea that’s the foundation of Kojo Stone.

Jason Bourne: How influential has Hip Hop been on you sonically ?

Kojo Stone: It was and still is a great influence. I am hip hop. Simply put, and it shows up in my sound, lyrics, and character.

Jason Bourne: You are from Crown Heights correct, describe for someone who may have never been what the culture and atmosphere is like

Kojo Stone: Yes I am. It’s like any other hood around the world with just a lot more Caribbean flavor

Jason Bourne: You got your start in poetry correct ? Tell us about the transition into songwriting and what hard skills you were able to carry along with you

Kojo Stone: Yes, definitely poetry and song writing goes hand in hand. I just had to understand the structure of song writing which wasn’t really hard and then I started to progress from there. Whether its a stanza or verse its all in the structure.

Jason Bourne: When did you ultimately settle on pursuing an actual career and not just singing as a hobby ?

Kojo Stone: I started taking it seriously when I realized this was who I am inside and out. I performed at a show at the Long Island University Brooklyn Campus. After the experience of meeting the host J. Sharelle I knew this is what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be. Needless to say the pursuit has been on ever since.

Jason Bourne: You are signed to I.T.I.S Entertainment, talk about the kind of support you have received and why this marriage in the art made sense for you ?

Kojo Stone: I.T.I.S. Entertainment has given me the strength to push myself harder then ever before. Helping me with my press kit, bookings, among other things, but most of all they’ve helped me believe in myself as much as they believed in me. Right then I knew this was a match made in heaven.

Jason Bourne: The Shrine is one of my favorite venues, how many times have you performed there ? Do you like the atmosphere ?

Kojo Stone: I loved the atmosphere in Shrine, I’ve only gotten to perform there once but it was a wonderful experience.

Jason Bourne: Where can people get updates on your brand ?

Kojo Stone: To get updates on you can go to my website www.KojoStone.com and they can also visit my Facebook page: Kojo Stone. - By Jason Bourne on June 23, 2015