Exposed Vocals Interviews Juwon Simmons
Juwon Simmons is a Sweden-based, Cameroonian-born music artist, writer and spoken-word poet. Born in 1988, He released his first mixtape ”The Red and Blue Pill: Gemini”. in the spring of 2011, produced by Quik D and Dakey. It received relative success as an introductory work and was featured on the country’s largest hiphop website, Kingsize Magazine, homepage for over a week. He was the 2014 Poetry slam Champion for Jönköping city, and proceeded to compete at the nationals with his team bringing home the bronze prize in 2014 and the silver prize in 2015. He has digitally released two more EPs since the first on all digital music outlets, the last one being “The Ring of Blue Fire” released in 2014 which received great media reviews, and performed on many stages, both national and international, as headliner, supporting act and opener.
With several musical influences picked up during his time growing up and time as traveling international student, his anecdotal /story-telling lyricism is influenced by the style of the griots of West Africa, writing in contemporary urban and sometimes classic Victorian fashion for effect and by the Hip-hop styles of the Chicago and the Midwestern scene, strung to roots of Neo-soul, jazz, blues and modern experimental sounds. His work focuses mainly on philosophies of life, society and the human mind, affirmation of gender equality, power and political anarchy, social issues, responsible freedom of action and expression and self improvement.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I grew up in Limbe, previously called Victoria, in Cameroon, moved around quite a bit, to study at various schools, both nationally and internationally, and finally ended up in Sweden a few years ago, where I studied marketing at the university. I’ve been a fan of music and poetry for as long as I can remember, and becoming an artist sort of just happened to me; Surrounded by the right people, my personal desire to connect with the world through sound and poetry, I had dabbled in a few projects before for fun but it all just came together in about 2009/2010 when I met Dmitry Ivanov, and later Darjan Dakey, while studying atthe university in sweden and it has been that way ever since.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
I chose ”Juwon” because I like it and it reflects my mindstate, and it is sort of a direct translation of my Grandfather’s/Family name from our native Kenyang language into the Yoruba language, which I think is probably the most beautiful language in the world. Juwon means ”Rock”, though my Family name literally translates as ” The rock in the mud”. So yea – Juwon Simmons.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Online music sharing is a double edged sword. It is both amazing and a disaster, but in all i view it as a positive as i try not to focus too much on the profit and commit instead to trying to create good art, and my largest concern is that it gets out there. Yes i do give away free music, why not? There’s often more to gain than to lose from it when you are in a flooded industry and aren’t a household name yet.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Only one: Persevere. That’s it. Persevere, endure and work so hard on your craft you can perform it in your sleep. well, that’s two. Honing your skills to perfection builds the necessary confidence needed to take on the industry giant.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
From my Cameroonian background, family and upbringing from which I am happy to have received incredible values, The society I currently find myself in, friends, random people and their experiences, usually the negative ones, either as individuals or as a community, as I aim to improve and enrich others, so I listen a lot, though I never refer to people in my work nor use their experiences directly, they act as triggers or source material to further develop my own thought process and enlighten my perspective. Also, from politics, other artforms, especially literature and the various religious beliefs, though I am not a believer. I draw a lot of inspiration from women too, as a subject, and romance/sex. – and other great artists like Lupe, Rapsody, the Cunninlynguists and more
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Yes I do, www.juwonsimmons.com My music is available on most popular platforms: iTunes, spotify, amazon, google play, applemusic, bandcamp, soundcloud, youtube … and more of such.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
The cliche´answer would be to say I would give back to my community, which I probably would do, but I’d rather not make that claim. I’d invest in something that could create a pool from which more good things come, not just for me but those around. But, by the end of that time period, I probably would have created one of the most memorable music albums of this generation… or attempt to and put at least two kids through school – education and knowledge are everything.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
I believe that generally good music promotes itself, though that is not always the case. Personally, I reach out as far as my arms go, and connect with people who are able/willing to help. Having a team that understands and shares your drive is key.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
I’m currently working on a new Ep, due to be released later this year. no real details there yet Just that this one will likely be very personal.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
when I’m not making music I’m either working, writing/performing spoken-word poetry or trying to finish my book – I guess – and pondering the life’s greater questions.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
It can be very difficult, often I get to understand why the ambitious people sometimes tend to be isolated, solitary beings with a seemingly dysfunctional or unorthodox lifestyle, especially if these responsibilities are in direct conflict with the dream you are working on. Often, people don’t understand why you try so hard until the big success comes. If it doesn’t come, there are many sacrifices you would have made in vain – the alternative is to give up and live like everyone else. So it is your place to properly consider every decision you take or follow instinct, live on the edge while chasing your dream and deal with the consequences.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Myself; Unleashed, unhinged and primal. haha a lot of new work.