Stratford based music production company, J.O.A.T. Music creates opportunities for young men in Newham by using music as a vehicle to drive their energies away from a potential life of gangs and crime.

From their Studio at St. John’s Church in Stratford they have fostered the talents of local names like Jae5, J Hus, and NSG; provided experience of producers like Morfius and Dwayne Patrick via peermusic group; enabled distribution opportunities via Fuga & their subsidiary company Junior Jack Distribution; their efforts led to Randy Valentine getting signed by Swiss company Hempire. Other accolades include working with Newham talents Monk Star, Plan B and names from beyond the borough which include Afrisound; Stormzy, MalvOnTheTrack, Notes, Skob Original, Confz, Loickessien, Wretch32 and Don Jazzy.

Blem, founder of J.O.A.T. explained:

“The concept started in 2010 whilst living in Thornton Heath. Many young guys were getting in trouble with the law, and I worried about my young cousin Jae5, who lived in Newham. I did not want this for him. I created a studio hub for him to come and create music in his free time. He was always there and had great production skills. After a couple of years, I pooled together my talent as a song writer alongside my cousin’s production skills and talented friend Randy Valentine. We would be the ‘Jack Of All Trades’ in all aspects of music production, and so J.O.A.T. was born.”

In 2012 Blem moved the business to Stratford. Blem added:

Newham has so much talent. We packaged and branded the work of our artists. As an incentive to some paying clients, we offered free studio time to those who demonstrated commitment, talent and drive, in return for staying off the street and away from gang life.

“Instead, they could express their experiences through their music. Newham teen, J Hus, accepted the ‘no street life, free studio time offer’. J Hus is huge now.”

J.O.A.T. is a business that thrives on the dynamics of live engagement—engineers, producers and artists coming into the studio to use the space. Covid-19 meant they had to adapt the way they worked, providing support via zoom and spacing out studio time with smaller attendees to comply with guidelines.

J.O.A.T. remains committed to diverting youngsters away from the streets and continues to look for young producers and writers to come onboard. They are in working discussions with the Detached Youth Work Team at Newham Council, part of Youth Empowerment Services, to create music-based opportunities for young people and explore the music industry in general.

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