JoJo‘s tale of tragedy and triumph has been so well-documented over the years her loyal fans probably think they know all there is to know about it. However, a recent interview with our friends at UPROXX suggests that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Strolling down memory lane to reflect on her humble Foxborough beginnings to being a chart champion with early hits ‘Leave (Get Out),’ ‘Too Little, Too Late,’ and more, the 29-year-old broke down discussing her failed relationship with her first label, Blackground Records, the loss of hundreds of recorded songs, and the lengthy legal battle waged against the imprint to control her own likeness and voice.
The war with the defunct, Barry Hankerson-owned company led her to dizzying heights of depression, substance abuse, and more.
Now, before moving forward with her new album (the recently announced ‘Good to Know’), Jo is putting a period on that dark chapter by shedding light on it in an inspirational tell-all interview.
Watch it inside:
Interview highlights
2:35 – Childhood/humble upbringing
5:45 – Meeting Barry Hankerson of Blackground Records
9:15 – Firing her mom as her manager
10:30 – the fall of Blackground Records
11:00 – Experiencing fat-shaming
12:40 – Battling depression, alcohol abuse
15:15 – Filing the lawsuit against Blackground Records
17:00 – the #FreeJoJo movement
18:30 – the mismanagement of the ‘Mad Love’ album
19:40 – Self-financing the re-recording of her first two albums
21:30 – making ‘Good to Know’ album
![Performances: Halle Bailey, Ashanti, Gladys Knight, JoJo, Smokey Robinson, & More Rock NBC's 'A Motown Christmas' [Watch]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ashanti-gladys-knight-thatgrapejuice-motown-christmas-nbc-smokey-halle-bailey-jordin-sparks-jojo-464x260.jpg "Performances: Halle Bailey, Ashanti, Gladys Knight, JoJo, Smokey Robinson, & More Rock NBC's 'A Motown Christmas' [Watch].")
I just want Aaliyah’s One in Million, self titled and Toni’s Libra album on iTunes ??♀️
JoJo is a great vocalist. Not Iconic but a great vocalist. still think Reckless/Thinking Out Loud were missed moments.
barry hankerson a complete piece of sh*t person
I’m back
February 18, 2020
That horse face h0£ will fall next week. That just went up thanks to that terrible video the horse released. Screenshot this bih and holla at us next week! Welovetoseeit
??
Billboard Hot 100: #25(+1) My Oh My, @Camila_Cabello Feat. @DaBabyDaBaby [11 weeks]. *new peak*
???????????
When u do clownery……..the clown comes back to bite
A reminder, the last time normani appeared on the billboard hot 100 was in November 2019,
Normani hasn’t appeared on the charts for 3 months straight. While Camila has 4 billboard hot 100 entries, the most by a female artist in 2020 so far.
We like to see it
Stop promoting that Mor-man-li flop ???
Wait. You mean to tell me, that with streams from the video, it only rose ONE spot?! And you’re bragging about that? Video streams should’ve bumped it like 10 spots. LOL.
She’s the definition of a true fighter and deserves all the success in the world!
Facts! I’m rooting for JoJo, she deserves nothing but success.
An amazing talent and human being.
JoJo deserves everything ❤️ I will buy the new album to support. I hope there will be a vinyl edition.
I want JoJo to win! I love her!
Watch the entire thing! So good.