Maryland native Joony has been quietly — and confidently — carving out his lane in the new wave of genre-blending artists redefining what Hip-Hop and R&B can sound like. Raised in the DMV’s richly creative landscape, Joony credits his early environment for helping shape his identity. “The music scene in Maryland has always been filled with talent — singers, songwriters, a ton of dope rappers and producers. It definitely shaped who I am,” he shared. “Coming up, I was drawn to the street scene heavy, so naturally I tried to emulate the artists who had that wave at the time.”
Photographed by Sebastian Olaya (@gio.vaun)
His sound, though, has long defied easy categorization — something fans and critics alike have noticed. Joony’s earned a reputation as a chameleon, gliding between rap, R&B, alternative, and soul without ever feeling out of place. But there’s still one genre he hasn’t fully explored: “Yeah, I really wanna dive into jazz. I’ve tapped in a little, but I haven’t fully gone there yet. That’s a whole different bag I’m tryna open up.”
What makes Joony’s music resonate isn’t just versatility — it’s vulnerability. Known for emotionally charged lyrics that pull from real-life experiences, Joony admits that transparency doesn’t always come easy. “It’s still tough for me to fully open up on the mic. I write about personal stuff a lot, but there’s still so much I haven’t unpacked yet. I know I’ll get there — just giving myself grace and time to get more comfortable going deeper.”
2023 saw the release of MEMENTO and its deluxe version — a milestone moment in Joony’s artistic evolution. Crafted during a time of personal and professional transition, the project captured heartbreak, growth, and sonic experimentation. “I was in a real transitional space. Just got out of my first serious relationship, signed to a new label, and was working on evolving my sound,” he explained. A standout collaboration with Blxst came organically. “First time we linked, I played [‘Thousand Hours’] for him, and he rocked with it heavy. He added a verse and wanted it for his album — I was like, say less.”
That partnership continued as Joony supported Blxst on his I’ll Always Come Find You tour — a major milestone in Joony’s live performance journey. “Biggest thing I learned was that the way you make fans feel is what sticks with them. Give ’em a real experience — that’s what they gon’ remember.”
Shortly after, he released JRNY, anchored by the fan-favorite “Jealousy,” in collaboration with singer-songwriter Jordan Ward. The chemistry between the two was undeniable. “Me and Jordan linked back in 2021, maybe early 2022. Great fuckin’ dude. I think we complement each other so well ‘cause we just get music. That’s really all it is. We both made for this.”
Joony’s COLORS performance in 2025 added yet another layer to his rising profile. The opportunity came after a performance on Blxst’s tour in NYC, when members of the COLORS team happened to be in the crowd. “They rocked with my set and invited me to come through. I was like, ‘Bet, let’s do it.’ Whole experience was dope — they got good energy over there.”
Now, with the release of his latest single “Dopa(MINE),” Joony is continuing to peel back the layers. “‘Dopa(MINE)’ is really about asking yourself what you’re holding onto that might be hurting more than helping — people, habits, vices, whatever.” The song blends smooth melodies with raw emotion, and its visualizer — shot on nostalgic Super 8 film — reinforces its introspective mood. “It gives off this nostalgic, almost dream-like energy that fits the song perfectly. Something about the grain, the texture — it just makes you feel a little more.”
Fresh off a debut performance at Coachella, Joony shows no signs of slowing down. “Coachella was incredible. I was justhappy to be out there vibing with the fans and soaking it all in.”
So, what’s next? “You can expect a mix. I know I’ve been in my singing bag lately, but I ain’t forget I’m a rapper too. I got a little bit of everything coming.”
As Joony continues to break boundaries and challenge genre expectations, one thing remains clear: he’s just getting started.
