Joony has become one of my favorite artists over the past year. My homie introduced me to his work last summer, and he hasn’t left my rotation since. Today, he released his newest project SHITUMSS, a stamp of artistry that’s just further solidifying his name as a superstar in his respective region and much further beyond. I can’t wait to see what comes in his near future, there’s truly no telling how big he can become.
As his stardom continues to blossom, I rocked out to the project and came up with some questions for the DMV native. There’s something so exciting in learning more about an artist, about how they create, and what they’re like beyond the album cover. Get to know Joony a bit more below, and trust me, check out SHITUMSS in the link below. Even if you don’t know what the hell that means.
Congratulations on the release of your newest project, “SHITUMSS.” Can you tell us a little bit about the meaning behind the title?
So the title “shitumss” is really just slang that me and the homies made up to replace “on shit”
For example if you feel like you did something that was hard to accomplish, your on shittums. We made the word up fuckin around being funny.
How does it differ from your previous projects in terms of sound and content?
So this project differs from the all of my other projects for one main reason; it was made in the dmv, for the dmv. All of my other recent projects (silent battles, proud of you, pretty in black.) were made in different states and had a real “joony” vibe to them. SHITTUMS still has a vibe that familiar fans will still recognize, but it’s all based in dmv oriented sounds. I used all the homies from the dmv (Mannyvelli, Spizzledoe, Sparkheem, etc) to create a vibe that people from back home are gonna resonate with. So to put it briefly, this project is different because it’s all dmv sounds. From the flow, to the production, and lyrics.
What was the creative process like for this project? Did you have any specific inspirations or influences?
So i made this project throughout 2021 and 2022. I would go to Terks house (sparkheem) and would just cook up for like 5 hours a day. Sometimes it would be Spizz, other times it would be with Manny. I got real close with them and eventually we realized we were sitting on like 80 songs. So me and my managers said fuck it let’s drop a tape catered to the dmv, and only have them on it.
Are there any particular tracks that hold a special significance for you, either lyrically or musically?
Lyrically, I really fuck with New Alyx. I just feel Ike I bar’d the fuck out. Like every line was a punchline. I think I said the most shit on there for sure.
“SHITUMSS” features collaborations with several other artists. What was the one you enjoyed the creation of most?
The session with Dawg where we made “oooooo” was funny as hell. Dawg just a character.
You have a very unique vocal style that blends different genres together. Can you talk a bit about how you developed your sound?
Years and years of recording, a love for music/creation, and a lot of different influences/reference points.
What do you hope listeners take away from “SHITUMSS” after they’ve given it a full listen?
I hope listeners just kind of have a good time with it. I made it specifically for people from the dmv to resonate to and It’s not meant to be taken too seriously. I just have a love for the sun genre of hip hop that my area has created over the years and I’d like to shed some light on it.
It’s definitely not my best body of work ever, but that’s okay because it wasn’t meant to be my best body of work. It’s a project I made specifically to have fun with and resonate to the folks back home.
As an artist, how important is it for you to maintain creative control over your projects?
Insanely important. If I don’t have creative control over something, how can I even say it’s mine?
“SHITUMSS” has been highly anticipated by your fans. How do you deal with the pressure and expectations that come with that kind of anticipation?
I just sit and hope that they take it the way I’ve intended them to take it in. I haven’t failed so far so hopefully they continue to see the vision.
How do you hope new fans, who haven’t heard your stuff before, receive this project?
I hope they find out about the sun genre of hip
Hop that my area has created and finds new artists to listen to from where I’m from.
What’s next?
My next Ep called “still here” will be out by the summer. And a shitumss tour of course.