Meet JoJo Martin | Artist, songwriter, vocal arranger, Kidney disease and organ donor advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with JoJo Martin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JoJo, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from Monterey, CA. Six kids total! Five boys and one girl. I am the fifth boy! Growing up a PK all I did was sing in church. I went on my first tour in the 8th grade. My upbringing had everything to do with who I am today. Both of my parents sang and my mother vocal trained us all. When I thought I just wanted to play drums, she pushed me to sing and then pushed me to play piano! That’s the type of household I grew up in and I’m extremely grateful!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I always dreamed of big stages and bright lights. As I got older and became more active in my dreams, I started to see myself on all different types of stages and different genres! I was the COGIC Pastors Kid out here trying to be a light everywhere I went. As I began to tour, I began to discover new talents such as writing, producing, and arranging! It seemed like everything started to happen at once. The bigger my faith, the larger the territory became.

I am most proud of my Kidney disease journey and how I fought to still tour, do dialysis, take my meds, and not just see some dreams come to fruition, but to keep dreaming and achieving! I didn’t let it stop me. I stayed faithful to my treatments and to my what my Dr’s were asking of me.

I got to where I am today because I didn’t give up. I stayed committed to every assignment I was given. I played my part and did my job well. I made family in every relationship that I established and participated in the dreams of so many others.

I overcame sickness, labels not being interested, kidney donors not working out, losing my oldest brother and my mother, and physical challenges with my walking because my faith was bigger than any disappointing diagnoses or failing connection.

The lessons I’ve learned are, nobody owes you anything. You’ll feel better and appreciate what you dedicate your life to, and man plans his way, but it’s God that brings it to pass!!

What I want the world to know about me, my brand, and my story is that we all can overcome and exceed!! What’s life without challenge! Be faithful, grateful, and fully committed!!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would definitely take them to my Uncle Manny and Aunt Barb’s place! Everybody knows that a guaranteed good time and everyone is family there. I would definitely take them to visit all of the most important places that every black human should experience; Dr. Kings home and church, Dr. King and Corretta Scott Kings grave sites, The Civil Rights Museum and so many other places! We would definitely eat at Busy Bee, Virgils Gullah Kitchen, Slim and Huskies, and of course me and all my family will cook! For that night life, it’s definitely gotta be Sivas, Del Frodo’s Grille, 5 Church, or my cheers bar “Hudson Grill” Who can come to Atlanta though without seeing the Trap Museum, aquarium, and of course go with me to Church!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Deborah & Timothy Martin (my parents), my grandparents, all of my siblings and cousins, My aunts and uncles, Aunt Barb, Aunt Queen, PJ Morton & Band, Judith Hill, Morton Records staff, Bishop Paul S. Morton Sr., Nurisha Liggins, Britni Ruff (my beautiful kidney donor), National Kidney Foundation, The amazing people at DCI dialysis clinic, Bishop William H. Murphy III, Pastors Jasper and Alicia Williams, All of my amazing friends, Mr. Thaddeus Hall and my classmates and teachers from Widefield High School, Pastor Brian R. Nelson Sr., My best friends Jazmin Crumley, David Jackson, Kevin Davis, The amazing transplant team at Emory University Hospital, my amazing Nephrologists Dr. Frita Fisher and Dr. Chami. lastly and most importantly, JESUS CHRIST MY LORD AND SAVIOR!!!

Website: www.JoJoMartinMusic.com

Instagram: JoJosvoice

Twitter: JoJosvoice

Facebook: JoJo Martin

Youtube: JoJosvoice

Image Credits
Photo by: keithanthonyphotography