Jodeci. Their baggy pants, black combat boots, and sensual dance moves won the hearts of millions in the early ‘90s. Hit songs like “Forever My Lady, “Feenin’,” and “Come and Talk to Me” were chart toppers, affording the young group a lifestyle they had never dreamed of — and weren’t ready for. Faced with the usual temptations of drugs and sex, group members K-Ci and JoJo Hailey reveled in the party life. Now back in the spotlight with a new reality show on TV One chronicling their road to sobriety, K-Ci and JoJo talk intimately about the past, the present and the future:
What can we look forward to seeing on the show?
K-Ci: We haven’t seen the show yet. But I hope it’s an inspiration … at least for me. I see the change I made during the show. I used to be a partier, heck I was the party. If I didn’t walk in, the party didn’t start. … During that time I was happy, but was I really happy?
What’s it like being back in the spotlight?
K-Ci: We are blessed to be around. It has been 20 years in the music game and God gave us another chance because we … made mistakes. We are … admitting to our mistakes, but you know, we are still children in this game. Just because [we’ve] been around for 20 years doesn’t mean anything.
How do you guys feel about your recovery?
K-Ci: This is not a recovery. I made mistakes. I partied too hard, I hung out too late, I got in the wrong car. So now I am getting out of that car, and I am letting y’all know that I am driving my own car from now on.
JoJo: This is very different for me. We are attacking the false allegations that have been put on us. We are clearing up a lot of rumors and telling the story behind the music.
What is it like working with family?
JoJo: Working with my brother has its ups and down, we get into arguments and have disagreements like any other brothers or sisters. But at the end of the day we still love each other, still eat together, still crack jokes with each other.
How do you feel about the R&B singers who are popular now, like Trey Songz, Chris Brown and Usher?
JoJo: I commend them. It’s hard to dance and sing, or whatever they do. They’re good at what they do, but it’s not my taste or my type of music but my kids love it, so I tip my hat to them.
Has the music industry changed?
K-Ci: The music business never changes and singing stays the same. You just have to keep it towards your heart; don’t let the business take over your singing. Stop thinking about the business and just think about singing.
What was it like working with Tupac Shakur?
K-Ci: [Throws up west side symbol] It was great, but it wasn’t only Tupac. We had [the] privilege [of] work[ing] with people like Biggie [Christopher Wallace], Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Bobbie Womack, the list just goes on. We just love to sing …
What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a music career?
K-Ci: Keep God first. Keep in mind that everybody makes mistakes; no one is perfect. If you are trying to be somebody that you are not than you are going to find yourself in a big, dark hole that you can’t come out of.
With a new reality show, “K-Ci & JoJo: Come Clean” debuting tonight at 9 EST on TV One, a new album, and several concerts lined up, K-Ci and JoJo are ready for round two. Don’t call it a comeback. –marqueta smith
