Yocki Joe

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Music is extremely influential in the life of rap newcomer Yockie Joe. Born in Oakland, California Emile Carriere Jr. came to Shreveport’s Allendale neighborhood at the age of six. His parents introduced him to what he calls “Real music (of the 60’s, 70’s and early eighties)”, at an early age. That real music included hip-hop. “Hip-hop is a culture, a lifestyle; basically, it’s the future,” says Louisiana’s newest breadwinner.

Yockie Joe gives the credit of opening doors to rap pioneers like Grandmaster Flash and Melly Mel whose revolutionary song, ”The Message” was introduced to him by his mother. Yockie Joe regards “The Message” as “A work of art.” He says, “ The reality of the song was almost like I was living in the verse and I feel like that’s why my mother stressed the song’s importance to me.”

It was in high school that he began rapping and recording in the studio and continues to do so, slowly but surely turning his dreams into reality. Yockie Joe’s music is a case of art imitating life. His music speaks to the hood. He speaks of a gritty life; one that he actually lived; a life that gave him insight into the good, the bad and the ugly sides of hustling. He believes that “in the rap world it’s easy to determine if someone is speaking about something they really been through or if they are selling you a dream.”

Fans from Shreveport all the way to Houston, Texas have been getting inside the mind of Yockie Joe since 2000 when he got his big break with an appearance on KMJJ 99.7 in Shreveport and he made his debut in Houston’s 97.9 The Box in 2002.

Yockie Joe has contributed to several mix tapes, collaborating with DJ Michael Watts of Swisha House, DJ Static of Houston, and No Limit’s DJ Chico. His underground hit “Hood Rich” appears on DJ King Smij’s Official Down South Mix CD hosted by ATL’s Bone Crusher. He has also toured with with Houston rappers ESG and Slim Thug. In 2003 he teamed up with Pep, Ricker Shade, and Jase to form “Usual Suspects”. The group won first place at the New York City Music Festival at Madison Square Garden.

Yockie Joe recently inked a solo record deal with Next Plateau Entertainment / Universal Records and his debut single “Ridin’ 2 Lanes” mixed by Jim Jonsin (Pretty Ricky, Pitbull) will be released this spring. He is managed by On Cue Management in New York City.