Underneath the Apollo Theater marquee are the names of legends: Gladys Knight and the Pips, Little Richard, Ella Fitzgerald and more. But through a private silver door and painted onto the stairs leading up to the Apollo soundstage are the names of underground artists who may one day receive their own star on the Walk of Fame. One of those names is “Joi,” who is considered by many to be one of the pioneers of neo-soul.
This past weekend, Joi helped usher in a new movement with the Apollo’s Music Café series. The café is the brainchild of Apollo associate producer Laura Greer, and it heralds the Apollo’s commitment to creating a space where cutting-edge artists find an outlet for their creativity.
Joi, who despite critical acclaim has not found mainstream acceptance, decided to participate because she understands the need to support artists who are often undervalued by today’s superficial music industry climate.
“Any opportunity for someone who should be heard more to be heard is always great. I think it’s cool the Apollo has decided to attempt to help that happen,” she says.
Joi’s Futuristic Throwbacks set weaved together funk, soul, jazz and rock as she performed classic songs. Her forthcoming mixtape, titled Hot, Heavy and Bad Raw Undercover, will feature covers. Against a screen backdrop of changing hues, Joi kicked the evening off with War’s “Slippin’ Into Darkness,” where her body undulated with each layered groove, and her voice conveyed soul and passion. Each song was preceded by a mini-history lesson executed in the style of poetry.
Other performance highlights included her angst-filled, rock ballad reinterpretation of the Delfonics’ “Hey Love” and a faithful rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Jesus Children of America.” Joi is known for bringing the funk, and she didn’t disappoint by closing the night out with Ike and Tina Turner’s “Nutbush City Limits,” which was interweaved with her hit, “Lick.”
It was the perfect marriage of the past and future with the audience giving Joi a standing ovation. The night was a promising indication that the Apollo is about to spearhead a new day, one where talented, underrated artists with important voices will no longer be unsung. –souleo
For more information on the Apollo Music Café, please visit: www.apollotheater.org
