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Joony

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Joony
Birth nameJonathan Negero
BornSilver Spring, Maryland, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
Years active2009–present
Labels
Websitejoony211.com

Jonathan Negero better known by his stage name Joony, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, he gained initial recognition following the release of the commercial mixtape Joony the Mixtape in 2019.[2] He rose to mainstream fame after been featured on Brent Faiyaz single "FYTB". The song debuted at number 97 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking Joony's first appearance on the chart.[3]

Early life

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Jonathan Negero was born in Silver Spring, Maryland.[4] Growing up, Negero aspired to become a rapper, and later he developed an interest in indie and rock music. He developed an interest in music at a young age, influenced by his parents' musical tastes, which included Ethiopian music and mainstream radio stations.[5] Negero started taking his rap career seriously at the age of 12.[6] He drew inspiration from Atlanta rapper Future while in middle school and later from Mac Miller.[7]

Career

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2009–2021: Career beginnings, Joony the Mixtape, Joony the Mixtape 2, Joony Vs the World, Ghost, Silent Battles, and Proud of U

[edit]

Joony began writing music in seventh grade. He recorded his first song during the summer between eighth and ninth grade.[8] Initially, Joony would rap over Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole instrumentals.[7] His debut single, "Simple Fly," was released in April 2009, but it didn't garner much attention. Undeterred, Joony continued to strive for success, releasing "Dangerous" on 23 January 2019.[9] Following this release, Joony dropped his debut commercial mixtape, Joony the Mixtape on 31 May 2019. Although the mixtape achieved moderate commercial success, it marked a significant milestone in Joony's career.[10]

On 13 February 2020, he released his second mixtape, Joony the Mixtape 2.[11] Joony's debut studio album, Joony Vs the World, was released on 23 April 2020.[12] His second studio album, Ghost followed on 2 August 2020, and he later released "Lifestyle" in October of that year.[13] In January 2021, Joony met Brent Faiyaz through a mutual friend, Xu, who is also Brent's long-time friend and photographer.[14] Following this meeting, Brent signed Joony to his PULSE Music Group label, and they collaborated on the song "Paper Soldier," released on 9 February 2021.[15] HipHopDX awarded the song a perfect 5/5 rating.[16]

Joony released his third album, Silent Battles, with the single "Lifestyle" serving as the album's lead single.[17] Taste Makers described the album as an exploration of troubled relationships with money and drugs, likening them to romantic relationships.[18] In June 2021, Joony released "Changes." During an interview with Eaton Radio in Washington, D.C., Joony announced the upcoming release of his SILENT BATTLES DELUXE project.[19] On 18 July 2021, the deluxe edition of Silent Battles was released, featuring a guest appearance from TyFontaine. In October 2021, Joony released "WYA?".[20] On 25 November 2021, he released his debut extended play, Proud of U.[21]

2022: Breakthrough with Pretty in Black and "FYTB"

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In March 2022, Joony released the single "Anytime", which was produced by Michael Allsopp.[22] The music video for "Anytime" was directed by Lonewolf and features Joony in a fever dream-like state.[23] On 6 May 2022, Joony released the single "DRIFTING IN TOKYO". The official music video was released on 13 May 2022.[24]

On 27 May 2022, Joony released his fourth studio album, Pretty In Back.[25] The album was produced by CashMoneyAP, Charlie Heat, Young Flavor, Ben10k, and Danes Blood.[26] The album spawned the single "Not Going Back". Pitchfork praised the song as an early highlight, noting that Joony "loads up a slowly building beat with vocal effects, clashing background ad-libs, and swooning coos." The publication drew comparisons to Travis Scott, remarking that Joony's ability to blend genres seamlessly is a notable strength: "He won't ever need to define himself with one genre, if he can make them all sound this good."[27]

In June 2022, Joony appeared as a featured artist on Sainté's single "East".[28] On 8 July 2022, he was featured on Brent Faiyaz's single "FYTB". The song debuted at number 97 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking Joony's first appearance on the chart.[29]

In August 2022, Joony released the single "DORK".[30] On 12 August 2022, he released the deluxe edition of Pretty In Back.[31] He was featured on Jordan Ward's single "IDC" on 5 October 2022.[32] In November 2022, Joony announced his debut Pretty In Black U.S. Tour.[33] On 8 November 2022, he released the single "Pretty In Back".[34]

2023–present: SHITUSS, MOMENTO, and JRNY

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On 20 January 2023, Joony released "One Track Minded". The single featured Kelz2busy.[35] In March, he released "Bad Time" featuring High Way.[36] On 5 May 2023, Joony released the album SHITUSS with guest appearances from TTM Dawg and Big Weigh.[37] On 2 June 2023, he released the deluxe edition of SHITUSS.[38] On 20 October 2023, Joony released the project MOMENTO. The project was released through Red Bull Records.[39] In February 2024, Joony was featured on DaeMoney's "DOUBLE C'S". On 22 March 2024, Joony released the MOMENTO deluxe edition.[40] In June 2024, he was also featured on Kendra Jae's "For The Thrill". On 4 October 2024, Joony and Jordan Word released a collaborative extended play JRNY.[41] On 4 April 2025, Joony released "Dopa(MINE)".[42]

References

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  1. ^ Mike, Duquette. "Joony Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  2. ^ Brandon Callender (5 October 2022). "Joony is just doing joony". The Fader. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Hot 100 First-Timers: Joony Scores First Chart Entry With Feature". Billboard. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  4. ^ Kemet High (26 May 2023). "The Break Presents - Joony". XXL. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  5. ^ Michael Di Gennaro (15 February 2023). "Exclusive Interview with Joony - The Journey, Creative Process & the Mission". Sidedoor. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  6. ^ Mia Marquez (7 August 2024). "Get To Know Joony". The Daily Rind. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  7. ^ a b Josh Svetz (7 October 2022). "First Look Friday: DMV Rapper joony is on a Mission to Be Bigger Than Drake". Okayplayer. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  8. ^ Dumi Matshe (16 March 2022). "Joony: Making Waves (Interview)". Sniffers (Interview). Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Joony Refuses to Be Complacent". 23 September 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  10. ^ Millan Verma (31 March 2021). "Joony is Just Getting Started". Underground. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  11. ^ Telma (13 February 2020). "Joony the Mixtape 2 - Album by Joony". M.P. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  12. ^ JB (23 April 2020). "Joony releases his debut studio album Joony vs. The World". Jukebox. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  13. ^ John Deff (25 October 2021). "Joony's Take Over". Office Magazine. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  14. ^ Reilly Lucas (16 August 2022). "Joony on His Rise From Restaurant Employee to Brent Faiyaz Collaborator". P.S. Entertainment. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  15. ^ Tallie Spencer (2 December 2023). "Brent Faiyaz Drops Long-Awaited Song "Paper Soldier" Featuring Joony". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  16. ^ MS (29 November 2023). "Brent Faiyaz & Joony - Paper Soldier". HipHopDX. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  17. ^ Niessner, Kristina (23 November 2021). "Joony: Silent Battles". Surviving Age. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  18. ^ LaFave, Desmond (20 September 2021). "Album Review: SILENT BATTLES - Joony". Taste Makers. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  19. ^ "Joony Interview : Silent Battles Deluxe Premiere". The Fader. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  20. ^ "Joony releases WYA?". MP. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  21. ^ Jon Barlas (15 December 2021). "Joony overcomes his 'Silent Battles' on new EP 'Proud Of U'". Our Generation Music. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  22. ^ Jon Barlas (18 March 2022). "Joony asserts his star power 'Anytime,'". Our Generation Music. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  23. ^ Nathan Evans (22 September 2022). "Joony Gets Active In New Visual For "Anytime"". Daily Chiefers. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  24. ^ Shawn Grant (13 May 2022). "[WATCH] Joony Releases New Video "Drifting in Tokyo"". The Source. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  25. ^ Shawn Grant (27 May 2022). "Joony Releases New Album 'Pretty in Black'". The Source. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  26. ^ Amari Newman (31 May 2022). "Pretty in Black". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  27. ^ Alphonse Pierre (1 July 2022). "Listen to joony's "Not Going Back": The Ones". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  28. ^ Ben Tibbits (6 June 2022). "Track of the Week: East featuring Joony". The Pit. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  29. ^ Xander Zellner (20 July 2022). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Joony Scores First Chart Entry Thanks to Feature on Brent Faiyaz's 'FYTB'". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  30. ^ Cydney Lee; Neena Rouhani (8 August 2022). "R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Omar Apollo, bLAck pARty, THEY. & More". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  31. ^ "Joony drops off 9 new tracks on 'Pretty In Black' deluxe". Remixd Magazine. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  32. ^ "Jordan Ward & Joony Flawlessly Link Up for "IDC"". 10 October 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  33. ^ Fayo Scripts (5 November 2022). "Joony announces 'Pretty In Black' U.S. Tour Dates". Remixd. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  34. ^ "Joony levels up on 'Pretty In Black' single". RMD. 8 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  35. ^ Tallie Spencer (26 January 2023). "Joony and Kelz link up for catchy new track "One Track Minded"". Remixd Magazine. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  36. ^ Aidan C Werder (3 March 2023). "Joony, Highway are on 'Bad Time' with new collab". Our Generation Music. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  37. ^ Tallie Spencer (8 May 2023). "Joony brings the world to the DMV on new album 'SHITUMSS'". Remixd Magazine. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  38. ^ Jon Barlas (1 June 2023). "Joony's 'SHITUMSS' deluxe is a perfect dose of different, divine trap". Our Generation Music. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  39. ^ Drew Townsel (22 March 2024). "Joony Drops "MEMENTO", Featuring Collaboration with Blxst". Intersect Magazine. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  40. ^ Jon Barlas (22 March 2024). "Joony shares six new tracks on 'MEMENTO' deluxe". Our Generation Music. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  41. ^ Keithan Samuels (8 October 2024). "Jordan Ward and Joony Take a Quick 'JRNY' on New EP". DRMB. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  42. ^ Sebastian Olaya (4 April 2025). "Joony Releases New Single "Dopa(MINE)" & official visualizer". Red Bull. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
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