Meet: Joe Craze Da Black Miracle

MEET JOE CRAZE DA BLACK MIRACLE

Nigerian vibrant ever-energetic music maestro, Joseph Buge Jatau popularly known as Joe Craze Da Black Miracle, birthed in the city of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria and attended Ecwa Staff School, Jos. Joe Craze has thrilled the music airwaves with so many good sounds which trend for so long, he is currently cooking up some good music.

4wardwego Blog had a wonderful interview session with the super amazing artiste and here is what he has to say!

Can we meet you?

My name is Joseph Buge Jatau, popularly known as Joe Craze Da Black Miracle, an artist from Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

What first got you into music?

It is simple a fact that talent first of all is the force behind the very reason why I ventured into music, plus secondly, the love of it. Because I can vividly remember growing up, I had a very strong and steady connection to sound and not just any sound but good sound, so that really brought folks connecting to me at a tender age in regards to music, which translated into who and what I am right now.

What are your hobbies?

As I am an easy-going person, my soul is interested in travelling, listening to music, making new friends, watching movies, and also research. The research is basically research that relates to life in its totality and how to transform it

Who or what inspired you to make music?

Actually, there’s a Who and a What that inspired me to make music, let me begin with the what part which is the most important and also the integral part of my music. You see the social imbalance created by a powerful few created a perspective at which I look at life and how it should be. Then the activism of 2pac now brings to The Who inspired me to make music. So, The What is the social imbalance and the Who is 2pac. These 2 are the great source of inspiration for me.

When and where did you start your music career?

J-town is my birth place and also is where the whole music career thing kicked off. It all started from a group of 6 before I went solo, and to put a figure to the years about it, I would say it dates back to some 18 years ago.

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

Frankly speaking, if I am to describe the kind of music I make in a single word, I’d say conscious, straight to the head like a needle to the pole

What is your creative process like?

My creative process plays out in 2 parts, sometimes its spontaneous, at a spot, the bars keep dropping and most times, it’s a calculated and intentional thing. The careful placement of energy in regards to observation just so I could bring out a truth that should stick

Who would you like to collaborate with the most?

The one person I would really love to collaborate the most with is the rapper from Ghana, called Manifest. Reasons are, his skill, and his philosophy.

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?

The internet as a tool has greatly transformed the music business in so many ways, like bringing to the artist and the management, the knowledge of demographics in target audience, decline and growth. It has also made it easy to market music, and merch. On a large scale, the internet has made it very easy for the artist to have a direct relationship with the fan base.

Which is your favorite song?

There are a lot of good songs that I vibe to, but to single out one which relates more to me, I’d say changes by 2pac Shakur.

Which famous musicians do you admire?

There are a few who are deceased like Bob Nesta Marley, our own legendary Fela and 2pac Amaru Shakur just to mention but a few. Their craft has been a great source of inspiration to me. Then I have a few alive like J.Cole, Nas, Falz, and MI.

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given as it relates to music?

“When good music comes to my soul, I should do well to create it and put it out, not to restrict my sound to just a particular genre.” For music has no boundaries, as it seeks to explore and experiment every sound, so I can mine the gold stored up in all genres.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

If ah could change anything about the industry, I would change the fact that an artist would have to travel to a particular zone in the country to sell his product. I would give power to every corner of the country to grow its market, so every artist would grow where he/she is.

Tell me about your favorite performance?

This actually happened some years back, at a street show (Festival) which is well known in Jos called Aje-Jenta, it’s an event that gives artist from different areas in Jos the opportunity to come showcase their craft. The performance was a shutdown because the audience were thrilled to see me come on such a stage, plus I picked that performance as a dope one for me because the street was receptive in all angles. So, I knew the hard work put in was not in vain, it was actually creating impact as it is designed to.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

In 5 years’ time, I see myself in my desired position as that musical ‘ICON’ that can positively influence the decision making of the music industry, and not stop there but become that one person that other upcoming artist would look up to for inspiration.

What are some of the challenges you face as an independent Artist?

Being an independent artist has its challenges. In my place as an independent artist, I would say its like living on borrowed oxygen, one is not promised the next good vibe because of financial constraint and also closed doors in regards to favors that should propel the artist to a higher height. Plus, on the other hand, one doesn’t have a platform with mechanisms to handle some issues for growth like sourcing for shows and certain important negotiations.

What advice do you have for upcoming artist looking up to you?

The advice I’ll give to any upcoming artist looking up to me is that first; at every point in life, commit all you do into God’s hand. Secondly, be passionate about the grind even when it seems as if nothing is working and finally, humility should be the wheel you slide on. Humility will present to you people of substance that’ll transform your musical growth in all ramifications.

How many of your songs are up online? Links!

Just few, I’m currently working on a body of work that’ll soon be released! In the meantime, I have a single coming up, I featured B.O.C on it and its titled Kayan Aiki.

Music