NORMAN — When most rappers choose an alter ego for their stage name, they tend to look at superheroes as role models first.
But Joseph Jenkins has never been one to follow everybody else. The Atlanta-born artist decided to stick with a stage name that would no doubt separate him from every other rapper in the game.
“My cousin Alonso was like, ‘Daffie, that is what we are going to start calling you because you are black as night and you spit everytime you talk,’” Jenkins said.
While his name shows his playful side, Jenkins said that his talent is serious. His family noticed early on that he had an aptitude for music, but it wasn’t until much later that Jenkins found his calling.
“When I was little, my mom used to notice that when I watched TV I would make little songs and stuff and tapping on stuff when I was around five years old,” Jenkins said. “And when I moved back to Oklahoma I met up with some people at a studio and I was watching them work on stuff. They were like you go hard as far as freestyling. Why don’t you use your freestyle and put it on a record.”
However, Jenkins said he is more than just a rapper. His talents cross boundaries, genres and styles.
“I produce, sing, rap and I also do a little bit of rock and roll,” Jenkins said. “I would say it’s all around. It’s not just focusing on rap. I even write R&B; songs. And I do a lot of R&B; hooks as far as me singing them myself. It’s all in the same circle.”
Jenkins has officially only been in the game a couple of years, but has already built up an impressive resume.
“In two years my success has been amazing because I have performed with some of the biggest artist on albums and in concerts with Soulja Boy, Gucci Man, Little Wayne and Young Jeezy,” Jenkins said. “They would come to Oklahoma to perform and I would be their opening act before they went on.”
Yet, the future seems to be getting brighter for the 23-year old Jenkins, who has lived in Lawton, Norman and Oklahoma City the past eight years. He said he has just returned from New York where he sat down with Universal and has several record labels looking to sign him. That is a major step for an artist who hasn’t sold a single album yet.
But that will come to a chance later this month when Daffie will release his first mix tape. It will come out the week he is scheduled to perform at Club 101 in Norman.
“I got a mix tape coming out called “The Topic of The Conversation” which I might be dropping in two weeks,” Jenkins said. “I don’t know if I am going to hold it back. As far as my songs, I have a lot of radio songs, which are called singles. And right now I have 85 singles that are radio-ready. If I was to get signed by a record label they would say you have to have a two-album deal done.
“My two albums are already complete. So I have just been holding back my mix tape. I am going to pass them out for free Oct. 25 at Club 101 because in order to make money you have to lose money.”
Even though Daffie has performed at other venues and concerts around Oklahoma, he is looking forward to his show at 101. As the only headliner he is carrying the entire performance on his shoulders. But that is when Jenkins turns into Daffie and the fun begins.
“People can expect a good show,” Jenkins said. “As far as me putting on a show, you will just have to come there and see it. I just transform. I am animated. I am not real.”
Entertainment
Transformed man: Local rapper talks about alter ego
Daffie speaks about breaking into rap game, nickname and his new mix tape "The Topic of The Conversation."
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