Rarely in urban music do you come across young artists crafting mature music. Singer/song writer Josef Green is one such exception. Armed with a polished approach to music and a vocal style that belies his years, he’s already recorded tracks with R&B legend Kele Le Roc, rising guitar hero Leon Jean-Marie and performed at the 02 Arena. Despite his rapid ascension, he’s kept a level head and turned down a two year recording contract in lieu of college.

It’s evident that his taste for R&B is almost as good as his taste for food. We catch up with the Abbeywood resident over waffles with golden syrup, to discuss why making it big as an R&B star isn't as simple as A, B, C.

Where did the music start for you?

I’ve always wanted to be an artist from childhood. I got in to the majority of the artists that I listen to through my eldest sister, who I looked up to the most out of my three siblings. Back in the day (when my family had NTL television) I used to watch all the music videos on The Box and sing/dance along with my brother and sisters. We watched the music channels so much, that in the end my mum decided to get rid of it. I was completely lost without music! I remember my dad saying to me, “You dont know your ‘a, b, c’ but you can sing 'Mr Boombastic". I guess that’s where it all started for me. I just wanted to be in their position - doing music.

You’ve worked with Kele Le Roc and Leon Jean-Marie. What was the dynamic like in the studio?

When it came down to the studio (recording my tracks), I would say that the best experience was with Leon. I found that me and Leon got on straight away, which made the situation more comfortable, as I didn’t really know him that well in the first place. I felt that he gave the track a certain spark. He had ideas that were different to the typical writing style that I liked.

With Kele, in the beginning, her attention couldn't really be 100% on me and I was participating in a 1 week summer course with her (run by the local borough). We weren’t in the studio together that much and I just taught her the part she needed to sing.

"Me and Leon got on straight away... I felt that he gave the track a certain spark"

So I take it there was a great vibe on stage with Leon at the 02?

Well I never got booed. Yeah, it was really good! It was my first public performance. I thought I would have been nervous, especially as it was the first act on stage, but it went well. It was easier, as Leon was on stage as well. I didn’t feel under so much pressure.

So who would you like to work with and what can we expect in the future?

One person I would love to work with would be Donell Jones, my favourite artist of all time. I think he's underrated and should be up there with the likes of Ne-Yo. A lot of the inspiration I get comes from him.

What can you expect to see from me in the future?

I would say something different. I say that because many artists nowadays sound too generic. There’s nothing that really makes them an individual and makes them stand out. At the moment I'm writing an album entitled 'Journey of Adolescence'. Through this I will be able to interpret my personal experiences in to music. It will express how it’s been for me to grow from a teenager in to a young adult, there’s a lot of things that we go through.

WORDS: WILLIAM OKOBI

LINKS:

• Click here to listen to Josef Green feat. Leon Jean-Marie 'Fade To Black'