Welcome back JoJo!

  
At 24, JoJo (full name Joanna Levesque) is already a music industry veteran. She released her first song at 13 years old (“Leave (Get Out)” in 2004), making her the youngest solo artist in history to have a number one single in the U.S. Since then, she released a successful sophomore album (2006’s “The High Road”) a few EPs and got stuck in a nasty legal battle with her old record label. But with all that behind her, JoJo is back to claim her rightful place in the music business.

Back in August, she released what she called a “tringle” — three singles at once — giving fans a little taste of what she’s been working on for the past few years. She also just announced her North American tour, which kicks off this November.

The Huffington Post caught up with JoJo to talk about everything from making a comeback in her mid-20s, to being silenced by her record label and what it was like to be on “Cribs.”  

How does it feel to be making your “comeback” at only 24? 

That’s pretty weird. But, it’s also trippy to realize I’ve been doing this — putting out music — for half my life. I’ve been recording albums since I was 12, so it’s wild. But I don’t know any other way.

How would you describe your sound now vs. when you released your first album? 

It’s just a natural evolution. When I came into this I wasn’t really thinking, “I want to make a record that is this genre.” I just don’t think genres matter. So I went in feeling open-minded. I knew what inspired me, so I just wanted to let that come out and wanted to try a few things. I’m definitely more connected to what I’m singing, just because life experience lends itself to that. When I was younger, I was always like an old soul and always put passion into things, now it comes from a place of experience.

Speaking of your experience and inspirations, you’ve talked a lot about how much you love writing and singing about love — are there specific people you’re singing about? 

Yeah. I usually have someone in mind, whether it’s positive or negative [laughs], because that’s helpful to put yourself in that situation and visualize that person. So yeah, I have a few people to draw from.

Who would you say are your biggest inspirations as an artist? 

People who have had long careers and have gone through changes and evolutions, like Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Cher. Beyoncé will be one of those women that will do this forever, and continues to grow. I love the balance that she has in her personal life and starting a family. That’s what I want to do down the line, but I know I have so many years to put in on my own. 

How does it feel to be making your “comeback” at only 24? 

That’s pretty weird. But, it’s also trippy to realize I’ve been doing this — putting out music — for half my life. I’ve been recording albums since I was 12, so it’s wild. But I don’t know any other way.

How would you describe your sound now vs. when you released your first album? 

It’s just a natural evolution. When I came into this I wasn’t really thinking, “I want to make a record that is this genre.” I just don’t think genres matter. So I went in feeling open-minded. I knew what inspired me, so I just wanted to let that come out and wanted to try a few things. I’m definitely more connected to what I’m singing, just because life experience lends itself to that. When I was younger, I was always like an old soul and always put passion into things, now it comes from a place of experience.

Speaking of your experience and inspirations, you’ve talked a lot about how much you love writing and singing about love — are there specific people you’re singing about? 

Yeah. I usually have someone in mind, whether it’s positive or negative [laughs], because that’s helpful to put yourself in that situation and visualize that person. So yeah, I have a few people to draw from.

Who would you say are your biggest inspirations as an artist? 

People who have had long careers and have gone through changes and evolutions, like Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Cher. Beyoncé will be one of those women that will do this forever, and continues to grow. I love the balance that she has in her personal life and starting a family. That’s what I want to do down the line, but I know I have so many years to put in on my own. 

  
(original post by: Julia Brucculieri Entertainment Writer, The Huffington Post.)