Photography © Ojoz
Photography © Ojoz
"All my songs are a kind of therapy,
that's what making Rap is all about."
"All my songs are a kind of
therapy, that's what making
Rap is all about."
What can we say about this talented rapper who struggles with ambivalence and opposites? Since his beginnings when he used to post his freestyles on Instagram, the 20-year-old rapper has stood out from the rest with his intimate lyrics and projects thought out in the most minor details. This rapper, whose new project stood out as an anthem to duality, talks to A Rap & A Cup Of Tea about this double-faced persona that he puts forward.
Everything seems to have a double meaning in his art: the meaning of the word Palindrome - the title of his last EP - the meaning of his blaze Joysad, and even the intro and outro of this project, which allow a double reading. Despite this desire to multiply things, the rapper, originating from Périgueux, decides to honour himself by staying to himself, and he lets us know it by revealing his thoughts.
A few years ago, we discovered you with your freestyles for 1Minutes2Rap on social networks. Today, what does this platform represent to you in your career?
It represents the beginning, you know what I mean? It allowed me to create my community, and I started to develop something serious.
Why did you choose Joysad as your nickname?
I was 11 years old then and had to find a blaze... I don't know, and I thought Joysad was pretty cool. (laughs)
When you first started on 1Minute2Rap, did you imagine you would end up signing with a big record label such as Because Music?
I didn't think about it but I never thought it was impossible. I never said to myself, "Oh, I don't have any connections; it's going to be too hard." As Orelsan said, "Saying 'I don't have any gear or connection' is a victim thing."
In 2020, you released your first EP, Fernandez, where we discovered a determined and self-confident Joysad with many punchlines. A few months later, you released your second EP, Palindrome, where we discover another side of you. You open up completely: your background, your difficult moments, and your family issues, as we can see in your track "Ciel & Terre". Why such a choice?
I was more comfortable in this style. Lately, I felt that the public was more receptive to this kind of lyrics: more "raw". It's true but also accurate.
Talking about your song "Ciel & Terre", we feel you cherish it. Is it like therapy for you?
I wouldn't say it's therapy. There are other sounds where I'm emptying myself into it, so it's like all my songs are a kind of therapy. For me, that's what making Rap is all about. I took particular pleasure in making this track.
Your second EP is called Palindrome; what made you choose this title?
A 'palindrome' is a word that can be read in both directions, you see. So it was funny because I've always wanted to create a duality in one character. Whether it's in my videos or my sounds, I've always wanted to make a second self. It also fits with the Joysad blaze; it's a bit of "two characters in one." I also used it to make two different interpretations for my public.
We notice a very literary side in your writing. What are your influences?
It's hard to say what inspires me musically because I listen more often to music with my friends than solo. (laughs) I'm mainly inspired by life. And for my "literary side", actually, it's nice that you said that because I haven't read since high school, and I only read what I was required to read. So I don't really have a significant literary "influence". (laughs)
Your EP starts with a track called "Le monde est à l'envers" and ends with a track you named "Le monde est joli." Why is there such a contrast between these two tracks?
Again, I thought it was cool to have two different interpretations. We even placed them in such a way that it changes your understanding of the EP depending on the order in which you listen to it. Depending on how you start the EP from the beginning to the end, it can either end up in an optimistic or a pessimistic way, so it's a good idea to have two different readings of the album. My team and I had fun trying this.
"By June-July, I think I'll
be able to release my album."
In your track "Le monde est à l'envers", you say, "Sometimes you have to surrender to feel your heartbeat". Can you tell me more about that?
As you grow, you realise that talking to your loved ones is necessary to be well. When you've spent a lot of time keeping everything to yourself, it's enjoyable once you manage to "spit out" a few words that weigh a lot. I think it does you good and allows you to move forward in life.
I noticed that you contacted the beatmaker Diabi for this track. Can you tell me more about this meeting?
Diabi is so dope! That guy's track record is impressive; he does excellent work! We talked a lot before working together, and he's a serious guy. He's also a cool guy to hang out with, and I like that.
This project doesn't have any feats; was it by choice?
Yes, I wanted it to be sober. For the time being, we have never done a feature. I think we have time for that, and if we have any feats to do, they'll be with big names.
Which artists would you like to do featurings with?
The artist I'd love to collaborate with would be Ariana Grande. I really like Ariana! (laughs) Then I would say Dinos, Fianso and Da Uzi.
You gave yourself much on this project, especially "Marchand de sable". Wasn't it hard for you to reveal yourself that much in front of your audience?
I think this text is relatively soft because I wrote a lot of texts that never came out for the moment and are even more challenging than this one. Imagine the rest! It's a subject that I took the time to thoroughly think about before talking about it.
Your track, "Mauvais flic", carries a real message. What inspired you to do this storytelling?
This storytelling is a true story. We were in a bar before the first lockdown, and a guy at his table joined us with my mates; we drank a beer, etc. And then we asked him what he did for a living. He told us that in two months, he would go to the police academy while my buddies around the table were dealing. The guy was nice, but I wondered what would happen if he was a cop. That's why I wrote that song.
When did you realise you had an audience paying attention to your career and music releases?
When I saw that my streams were going up. (laughs) The feedback from people on my songs also increased tenfold. Sometimes, people recognise you in the street; they don't necessarily know your name, but they sing your tunes; it's fun.
Can your fans expect other projects for the year 2021?
Actually, I think I will be able to release my album by June or July. At least, I hope so!
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