We had the good fortune of connecting with Joee Billi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joee, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in Charleston West Virginia, within 2 years my mom moved to Pittsburg PA, as the age of 9 approached we moved to California with my uncle in Oxnard. Shortly after my mom, little sister and I settled in Los Angeles, where I consider home. My mother is my greatest blesssing, she always has worked so hard to provide protection and sustenance for her kids . I appreciate her now that i’m older because I have a better understanding of life. I had to understand racism at a young age. My mother is a beautiful Black queen and my father a white blue eyed German in Charleston back when I was born was not taken lightly. My father walked out of my life around 7 years old, causing a lot of pain in my adult life as I became a father myself. My upbringing left me feeling isolated and having to raise myself at a young age. That process of growing up with no example or support weighed heavy on mistakes I’ve made in the music business. Everything is a lesson and I grow in my own non traditional way. My background impacts who I am today, by the empathy and compassion I have for kids that need love, that kid was me. I love my two sons more than life, I think about them when I write positive songs, I want to uplift them and other kids. The struggles in my life introduced me to my passion for music, I was a producer first and I could escape in the music, I was able to express my emotion in the music. Today as an artist I can write my moods and feelings into the music. My first album The Billi Show is the expression of many different sides of myself that I’m comfortable sharing with the world at this time in my life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
So what sets me apart from a-lot of artist is I can fully produce and record myself. I can create any genre of music from Pop to Hip Hop to Alternative Rock to Jazz as far as instrumentals and the beats. I’m most proud releasing my album The Billi Show, May of last year. My god father gave the financial resources to get me in the studio to record an album. Three weeks of working about 24/7 in the studio my team and I created 22 songs for the album. It was not easy, I had to fight mental battles of doubt, physical perseverance. Most importantly teamwork, there are many moving pieces in creating an album. Biggest lesson I learned is be open to criticism, you could be wrong. Not everybody is gonna be excited about your work like you and thats ok but was a tough pill to swallow for someone like myself. Had to learn to be fearless with my passion and vison to the point where nothing could take me off course of my goal. I want the world to know about my brand and story. If you see yourself doing something, and have the skills and talent to do it, it’s your duty to make the vision manifest. Don’t let others tell you their vision for you; You show them yours.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
I would say let’s go to Yosemite National Park, we would go to the store buy groceries, rent a cabin and go out there and grill, explore the many places at the park which has lakes, wildlife, horse back riding. It’s about a 4.5 hour drive from Los Angeles. The half dome is an amazing sight.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My god father Roman Styles, he took me in when my dad wasn’t around, treated me like his son. Even later in life, without his financial support I would have not accomplished my goal of releasing my first album #TheBilliShow. It was his initial investment that got me started. He always showed support even in the creation process by being there everyday in the studio with me. He used to always tell me one day when I was ready, we would make it happen, and we did it together. Very thankful and appreciative to him forever. There are a lot of great people in this world and he is one of them not just to me, but with his own kids.

Website: https://ingroov.es/slow-it-down-a
Instagram: @joeebilli
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-higginbotham-75401993
Twitter: @joeebilli
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoeeBilli/
Youtube: https://youtu.be/SUJXACyNEao
Other: You can check out my music and album The Billi Show on all music streaming platforms by typing in my name JoeeBilli. I also have 3 music videos out on vevo called Feel Like This, Dream and You. Check me out, and if you’re in Los Angeles, lets work email me joeebillimusic@gmail.com

Image Credits
@sneadjrod @shotbyzerah