N.O. Joe
Encyclopedia
Joseph Johnson known by his stage name N.O. Joe, is a musician, producer
, songwriter, and artist. He operates a production company named Gumbo Funk, which is also a name given to his melange of musical styles.
. While in high school (in New Orleans), he began providing beats to local performers. He was later encouraged to move to New York, where he began an affiliation with Universal Music Group
as a producer.
Then known as Joe Kool, Johnson collaborated with Devante Swing
, and as part of the producing group Da Bassment contributed to Jodeci
's first album, Forever My Lady
. Johnson went on to work with Brian McKnight
, R&B artist Joe and D’Angelo before moving into the rap genre.
(1990–2003), and Rap-A-Lot as an independent production entity. N.O. Joe has worked on several platinum songs and albums, including a number 1 single "Pushin Weight", to Ice Cube
’s album War & Peace Vol. 1 (The War Disc), LL Cool J
’s Grammy-nominated The DEFinition
and has worked with:
! Album information
|-
| Somethin' Serious
|-
| The Diary
|-
| Doe or Die
|-
| The Dude
|-
| War & Peace Vol. 1 (The War Disc)
|-
| The Last of a Dying Breed
|-
| Just Tryin' ta Live
|-
| The DEFinition
{| class="wikitable"
! Soundtrack Information
|-
| I Dream of Jesus
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, songwriter, and artist. He operates a production company named Gumbo Funk, which is also a name given to his melange of musical styles.
History
Johnson was born in New Orleans, LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. While in high school (in New Orleans), he began providing beats to local performers. He was later encouraged to move to New York, where he began an affiliation with Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
as a producer.
Then known as Joe Kool, Johnson collaborated with Devante Swing
DeVante Swing
Donald Earle DeGrate, Jr. , better known by his stage name DeVante Swing, is an American record producer, singer, rapper and songwriter. Swing rose to fame in the 1990s as the founding member of the trendsetting R&B group Jodeci, one of the more popular R&B acts of its time...
, and as part of the producing group Da Bassment contributed to Jodeci
Jodeci
Jodeci is an American band, whose repertoire includes R&B, soul music, and new jack swing. The group consists of two pairs of brothers from Hampton, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina: Cedric & Joel Hailey and Donald & Dalvin DeGrate, all respectively known by their stage names: K-Ci & Jojo,...
's first album, Forever My Lady
Forever My Lady
Arion Berger of Entertainment Weekly gave the effort a good review, calling the work "sophisticated beyond the band members' years" and noting that "if they can keep up the momentum of this commercially successful debut , Jodeci will be a force to be reckoned with."-Track...
. Johnson went on to work with Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
, R&B artist Joe and D’Angelo before moving into the rap genre.
Southern hip-hop contributions
N.O. Joe contributed to the following albums (All Album Contributions not Listed):- ScarfaceScarface (rapper)Brad Terrence Jordan , better known by his stage name Scarface, is an American rapper, and recording artist from Houston, Texas and a member of the Geto Boys. He is originally from South Park, Houston.-Life and career:...
, The DiaryThe DiaryThe Diary is the highly acclaimed third album from rapper Scarface. This album is one of the few to receive a perfect rating from both The Source Magazine and XXL... - Scarface, The Last of a Dying BreedThe Last of a Dying BreedThe Last of a Dying Breed is the sixth solo album from rapper Scarface. The album was less successful commercially than his last few efforts, but more successful critically.The album includes the singles "Look Me in My Eyes" and "It Ain't, Pt. 2"...
- The Geto Boys, The ResurrectionThe Resurrection (Geto Boys Album)The Resurrection is the sixth album by the Geto Boys. The album was released after the Geto Boys reunited after a 3-year breakup. It is considered to be one of the group's most critically praised albums, and the first of a one-two punch of creativity....
- UGKUGKUGK was an American hip hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas formed in 1987 by the late Chad "Pimp C" Butler . He then joined with Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, who became his longtime partner...
, Ridin' Dirty - UGK, Underground Kingz and individual songs from various UGK albums: "Hi Life", "Murder", "Diamonds and Wood"
Artist roster
N.O. Joe has also contributed as producer to various labels such as Universal Music GroupUniversal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
(1990–2003), and Rap-A-Lot as an independent production entity. N.O. Joe has worked on several platinum songs and albums, including a number 1 single "Pushin Weight", to Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
’s album War & Peace Vol. 1 (The War Disc), LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
’s Grammy-nominated The DEFinition
The DEFinition
The DEFinition is the 10th studio album by American rapper LL Cool J, issued on Def Jam Recordings. It was released on August 31, 2004 and peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard 200. It debuted in the top 5, and The DEFinition went Gold in the United States...
and has worked with:
- AZ (rapper)AZ (rapper)Anthony Cruz , better known as AZ is a Grammy-nominated American rapper of Dominican & African American descent. He is known for being a long time and frequent rhyme partner of Nas, and also a member of hip-hop group The Firm alongside Nas, Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature.In a countdown of the 10...
- In 1995, AZ's album Do or Die peaked on the Billboard as the #1 R&B/Hip-Hop Album with chart topping hits such as the title track produced by N.O. Joe, "Doe or Die" which reached the top twenties on the Billboard charts.
- BahamadiaBahamadiaBahamadia is a Philadelphia-born hip hop artist born in 1970, and a DJ who later became an MC. As a member of Gang Starr Foundation, she released her critically acclaimed debut album entitled Kollage in 1996. The album featured production by Guru and DJ Premier of Gang Starr...
- Brian McknightBrian McKnightBrian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
- In 1992, N.O. Joe teamed up with Brian McKnight to produce "Goodbye My Love" which was his first album release. The entire album went platinum and the single produced by N.O. Joe peaked on the Billboard charts in the Top 50.
- Big MikeBig MikeMichael Barnett, better known by his stage name Big Mike, is an American rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana. He was originally a member of Convicts with Houston rapper Mr. 3-2. Its album would be the first of many releases Mike would put out on Houston-based Rap-A-Lot Records...
- D’Angelo
- In 1995, N.O. Joe worked with D'Angelo on the UK-released version of "Cruisin".
- De La SoulDe La SoulDe La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
- Devin the DudeDevin the DudeDevin Copeland , better known by his stage name, Devin the Dude, is a Houston hip hop artist, and rapper. He is best known for his unique rapping style, his long career signed to Rap-A-Lot Records, and his 2002 song, "Lacville '79"....
- Ice CubeIce CubeO'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
- Ganksta N-I-PGanksta N-I-PRowdy Williams, better known as Ganksta N-I-P or Ganxsta Nip, is rapper from South Park, Houston, Texas and a member of the South Park Coalition, which he joined in 1987. In 1992 he released his debut album South Park Psycho. This record also help put the South Park Coalition name on the map due...
- Geto BoysGeto BoysGeto Boys is a rap group from Houston, Texas, consisting of Scarface, Willie D and Bushwick Bill. The Geto Boys earned notoriety for its lyrics which included misogyny, gore, psychotic experiences, and necrophilia...
- Jay-ZJay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
- JoeJoeJoe may be a nickname originating from the name "Joseph", "Josephina" and others.Joe may refer to:-People:* Joe , an American R&B singer and record producer* Joe , a character known only as "Joe" on the popular children's show...
- Lil WayneLil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
- LL Cool JLL Cool JJames Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
- The LunizThe LunizThe Luniz were an American platinum-selling rap duo from Oakland, California, formed by the rappers Yukmouth and Numskull. They released an internationally successful hit in 1995 entitled "I Got 5 on It", two versions of which appeared on their album Operation Stackola...
- Master PMaster PPercy Robert Miller , better known by his stage name Master P or his business name P. Miller, is an American rapper, actor, entrepreneur, investor, and producer. He is the founder of the popular label No Limit Records, which went bankrupt and was relaunched as New No Limit Records through Koch...
- Rick RossRick Ross (rapper)William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...
- ScarfaceScarface (rapper)Brad Terrence Jordan , better known by his stage name Scarface, is an American rapper, and recording artist from Houston, Texas and a member of the Geto Boys. He is originally from South Park, Houston.-Life and career:...
- The Geto Boys
- T.I.T.I.Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. , better known by his stage name T.I., is an American rap artist, film and music producer, actor and author. He is also the founder and co-chief executive officer of Grand Hustle Records....
- UGKUGKUGK was an American hip hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas formed in 1987 by the late Chad "Pimp C" Butler . He then joined with Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, who became his longtime partner...
Albums featuring N.O. Joe
{| class="wikitable"! Album information
|-
| Somethin' Serious
Somethin' Serious
Somethin' Serious is the 1994 debut album by rapper Big Mike. The album reached #40 on Billboard's Billboard 200 chart and #4 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums...
- Artist Name: Big Mike
- Released: 1994
- Production Credits: Various
- Billboard 200: #40
- R&B/Hip-Hop: #4
- RIAA Certified: Gold
|-
| The Diary
The Diary
The Diary is the highly acclaimed third album from rapper Scarface. This album is one of the few to receive a perfect rating from both The Source Magazine and XXL...
- Artist Name: Scarface
- Released: October 18, 1994
- Production Credits: Entire Album
- Billboard 200: #2
- R&B/Hip-Hop: #2
- RIAA Certified: Platinum
|-
| Doe or Die
Doe or Die
Doe or Die is the debut studio album by rapper AZ, released October 10, 1995 on EMI Records. The album features guest appearances by artists such as Nas and Miss Jones, and production from Pete Rock, L.E.S., and Buckwild, among others....
- Artist Name: AZ
- Released: April 2, 1996
- Production Credits: "Doe or Die"
- Billboard 200: #15
- R&B/Hip-Hop: #1
- Singles: "Doe or Die"
|-
| The Dude
- Artist Name: Devin the Dude
- Released: June 16, 1998
- Production Credits: "Do What You Wanna Do", "I Can't Quit"
- Billboard 200: #177
- R&B/Hip-Hop: #27
|-
| War & Peace Vol. 1 (The War Disc)
- Artist Name: Ice Cube
- Released: 1998
- Production Credits: "Pushin Weight"
- Billboard 200: #26
- R&B/Hip-Hop: #12
- Hot Rap Singles: #1
- Singles: "Pushin Weight"
- RIAA Certified: Gold
|-
| The Last of a Dying Breed
The Last of a Dying Breed
The Last of a Dying Breed is the sixth solo album from rapper Scarface. The album was less successful commercially than his last few efforts, but more successful critically.The album includes the singles "Look Me in My Eyes" and "It Ain't, Pt. 2"...
- Artist Name: Scarface
- Released: October 3, 2000
- Production Credits: Entire Album
- Billboard 200: #7
- R&B/Hip-Hop: #2
- RIAA Certified: Gold
|-
| Just Tryin' ta Live
Just Tryin' ta Live
Just Tryin' ta Live is the second album from rapper Devin the Dude. It was a minor critical success, but did not fare well commercially. It peaked at #61 on the Billboard 200 chart, but had no charting singles. It features high-profile guest appearances from Nas and Xzibit as well as production...
- Artist Name: Devin the Dude
- Released: January 29, 2002
- Production Credits: "Fa Sho"
- Billboard 200: #61
- R&B/Hip-Hop: #11
|-
| The DEFinition
The DEFinition
The DEFinition is the 10th studio album by American rapper LL Cool J, issued on Def Jam Recordings. It was released on August 31, 2004 and peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard 200. It debuted in the top 5, and The DEFinition went Gold in the United States...
- Artist Name: LL Cool J
- Released: August 31, 2004
- Production Credits: "Move Somethin" "Shake it Baby"
- Billboard 200: #4
- R&B/Hip-Hop: #3
- RIAA Certified: Gold
Soundtracks
N.O. Joe's music has also been featured on the following soundtracks:- Jason's LyricJason's Lyric (soundtrack)Jason's Lyric is the original soundtrack to the 1994 film Jason's Lyric. Released in the fall of 1994, it topped the Top R&B Albums chart and was a Top 20 Billboard 200 ranking album...
, - FridayFriday (soundtrack)Friday is a soundtrack album for the 1995 comedy film Friday. It was released on April 11, 1995 through Priority Records and consisted of hip hop and R&B music. The soundtrack peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200, where it held the position for two weeks, and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for six weeks....
- Office Space
- Tales from the HoodTales from the HoodTales From the Hood is a 1995 horror anthology film directed by Rusty Cundieff, and executive produced by Spike Lee. It presents four short African American-themed horror stories, presented within the frame story of three drug dealers buying some "found" drugs from an eccentric and story-prone...
- Johnson’s Family Vacation
{| class="wikitable"
! Soundtrack Information
|-
| I Dream of Jesus
I Dream of Jesus
"I Dream of Jesus" is the second episode of the seventh season of Family Guy. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on October 5, 2008. In the episode, Peter finds an incognito Jesus Christ working at a record shop, and convinces Jesus to make his second coming public.The episode was...
- Television Show: Family Guy
- Released: October 5, 2008
- Production Credits: Scoring Segments for the Episode (Office Space)
- Nominations: Episode Nominated for "Outstanding Comedy Series"
- Episode viewed by 8.5 million viewers and nominated for an Emmy Award