Local Artist Spotlight: Jon Hope
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Jon Hope is one of Rhode Island's most popular local music artists around who has been featured on MTV, garnered thousands of YouTube views, and gotten attention from media blogs around the country. After releasing his debut album Somekind of Wonderful, Hope gained a considerable fan base in the Northeast. This success has only fueled his fire as Hope continues to strive for "Better" (a hit song from his first release). He is now working on his second album titled Work in Progress. Hope gave GoLocalProv an exclusive interview on what he's up to now.
Where does your inspiration come from?
A lot of my inspiration comes from just life, whether it's music or culture, or even travelling to different countries and cities. My mom is a great influence. From her I developed a strong work ethic. My mom taught me to work hard and work smart. I also get my influence from a wide range of artists. I can go from a Jay-Z to a James Taylor man. Billly Joel, Common, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco. I draw my inspiration from just about anything. I can even go to the Providence Place Mall to people-watch and find my inspiration. Some of my songs aren't necessarily about me directly. One of my key qualities as an artist is my ability to connect with people. I may not be the most metaphysical, lyrical type of guy, but my ability connect with people is one of things that draws people into my music.
What have the challenges been trying to achieve stardom?
I don't necessarily want to use the word challenge. I believe that if you're down, get up, and if you're behind, then run faster. But obviously to the naked eye, I am an independent artist and you can only imagine what that entails when you come from Providence, Rhode Island, the smallest state in the country. I look at it as an asset though, instead of a liability. If you look at those who are very successful in the hiphop genre now like you could take Drake. He's not from a New York or a Los Angeles. He's from Toronto and that in itself is a unique quality. I'm from Providence, where there aren't too many people making an impact on the game. You can count them on one hand literally. I think that makes me unique and gives me an edge. So I don't look at challenges as challenges but just more new experiences. You know what I mean? I embrace everything that comes my way. I don't run from any challenges ,man. When it rains I dance. I dance in the rain, I don't look for an umbrella.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTWith your first EP out, what is your next move?
Right now I am working on a lot of things. The main focus is the next product entitled "Work in Progress." It has so many layers. It's very self reflective. I'm dealing with a lot of self preservation as well as trying to changes some things about me as an individual. It also progress sonically. Somekind of Wonderful was more traditional hiphop with a lot of breakbeats and so forth. Whereas this project is dealing with a lot of melody. It's very naive. almost where I'm saying, "Everyone come together and be one." It's something that I'm really proud of because a lot of the music that I make already is very inclusive of all mankind. Young, old, white, black, it's very big music, epic music, festival music. I want to be able to generate touring oppurtunities where I can perform in Germany and get the same response as if I was performing in New York or Los Angeles. That's where I'm going with it right now. Influences have been vast, including Matisyahu, Lupe Fiasco, my life, my mother, Law and Order, you know a lot of things. Stay tuned.
For more about Jon Hope and his music go to www.myspace.com/jonhope401
For the digital album Somekind of Wonderful go to http://jonhope.bandcamp.com
