I am the artist formerly known as Big Shank alias Killah Joe. Now known professionally as Joe E. Blessed (or Joe L. Da Vessel). I am from a town right on the Washington D.C. line called Seat Pleasant which is in PG County, Maryland. I'm a producer, an emcee, a husband, a father and a son of the Living God. I love making music and spending time with Yah, my family, friends and loved ones all while just trying to be better and do better in this thing called life. By the way, I'm a big fan of your work as well Brother!
2. Let's start with your professional name Joe E. Blessed, What is the science behind it and how did that name come to you?
I had a deal back in the early 2000's under the name Big Shank that I walked away from. I had stopped doing music for a while altogether. One day, sitting in my living room praying and reading the Holy Bible - the Lord spoke to me loud and clear and gave me the name Joe L. Da Vessel. He gave me the meaning and everthing all at once. Joe comes from my birth name Joseph and my middle initial is L. but it's also derived from the namd of the prophet Joel in the Old Testament. Da Vessel (the Vessel) simply because I'm a carrier of Yah's Spirit and His Truth. Joe E. Blessed came later simply because I've always loved aliases lol.
3.Now Joe, I overstand that you are a hybrid of being both a Producer and Emcee, When did you start doing and pursuing both passions?
I actually started out as a dj and emcee in '84 with my brother Phragmintz. We were a team but we came to the conclusion that I was nicer on the mic and he was better on the 1s and 2s. Not long after that around, '86 I started producing. My cousin gave me a Tascam 4-track recorder. A family friend gave me a bass guitar and a Yamaha RY-11 drum machine. My folks already bought me a Casio SK-5 sampler and Synsoniq Drums...plus I already had my 2 turntables...you couldn't tell me nothing lol!
4.Which side of the coin do you enjoy more, Being a producer or an emcee?
These days, I would have to say it's about equal. I love doing both and the fact that I'm able to take my time with it and do it as the Lord gives it to me is priceless.
5.Walk us through your creative process of being both an emcee and a producer? how are the the same and how are they generally different?
They are very similar. They both usually start with a beat, melody or flow I hear in my head or I may be inspired but something I hear - music or otherwise. Once I get a basic beat or flow I wait for the rest of the flow to hit me and go from there. Beat wise, there's no formula - sometimes I start with the sample/loop/chops and sometimes with a kick, snare and hi-hat - it just depends on what I'm feeling at the time.
6.When did you realize your talent as a producer/emcee?
As an emcee, early on around '85. After hearing T La Rock "It's Yours," Kool G. Rap's original "It's a Demo" and "I'm Fly," MC Shan "Marley Scratch" and LL's "I Need a Beet" I realized that they sounded different from the other Rappers/Emcees that were so popular at the time and so did I. But it was solidified in '86 when I heard Eric B. & Rakim's "My Melody" and "Eric B. For President" around the same time I met my sensei Sir Lord Professor P from Flatbush Brooklyn and I knew I had my own path as an emcee.
As a producer, it wasn't that clear lol. I did beats that me and my crew used to rock to but as I got older and really started learning how to produce a whole song, it still took me years to feel confident enough to push my production to the forefront so that led to me rhyming over other people's production for the longest time - even when I had my deal with Sony in '01.
7.Who are some of your influences as a producer/emcee and how has each influenced your distinct style?
As a producer: Marley Marl, Premo, Pete Rock, Buckwild, Jay Dilla, Kev Brown. Not necessarily in that order but overall their timing, sample selections and the way they all chopped samples along with the way the choose certain drums that are just right for the melody or rhythm of the sample the choose.
As an emcee: Kool G. Rap, Rakim, Kane, my Brother P., Melle Mel, Nasty Nas, Jay-Z, B.I.G., OC
Again, not necessarily in that order but in terms of the different styles and their delivery. My brother P though, is the one who taught me to think outside the box and how to rhyme not just on but all around the beat.
8. What was your\ earliest recollection of music? and When did you fall in love with music?
The answer to both is growing up in my household, my Moms had me listening to everything! From Soft Rock to Gospel to Country to Reggae to Funk, Jazz and Soul music…you name it! Plus her my Pops and other family members were always taking me to concerts even before I could walk. For example, Moms took me to see Funkadelic at least twice when they came to the Capital Center. She took me to see Prince in a blizzard at the DC Armory. Ramsey Lewis, The System; etc. Not to mention, she took me and my man Terry to our first Go-Go to see Trouble Funk.
9.What is the local music scene like where you reside?
Being born in DC and raised mostly in Md, Go-Go is our homegrown sound but the DMV has always been a very artistic, creative and musical area. Hip-Hop has been here from the start. Hip-Hop and Go-Go are cousins!
10. Does the local music dictate or affect what and how you create?
I would say that it influences how I create.
11. What does your lab set up consists of? and how has it changed from when you first started?
MPC Key 61
MPC One
SP 404 Mark II
Ableton Live 10
Reason 12
Fl Studio 20
Studio One 5
2 Presonus studio monitors
HP Gaming laptop
12. What is the one thing on your list that you feel artists and producers are missing in today's musical climate?
I couldn’t pinpoint it. It’s really to each his own.
13. How do you feel about the Analogue Vs Digital Music Production Equipment Debate?
I used to be hardcore analogue until I lost my MPC 2000 xl during a move and the guitar player from my band gave me a midi keyboard and introduced me to Ableton…I was hooked!
14.How do you feel about the E-digging Vs Actual Crate Vinyl Digging Debate?
Man I say get your sounds wherever you can find them lol!
15. Where Does your inspiration to create come from initially?
It varies but sometimes all it takes is for me to hear an emcee killing a beat that I’m vibing to real heavy. For instance, I’ve written several joints just vibing to “Mural” by Lupe Fiasco. Overall, I just try to give out what the Most High gives me.
16. Do You represent any Record or Production companies? and If so, How long have you been affiliated with them?
Not anymore Bro. I had a deal with Sony in 2000-2001 that I walked away from. I was also part of a couple different production companies as well as my band. These days I’m 1000% independent and loving it!
17. What are some of your current projects that are available and where can we find them?
I have 2 older projects on Apple Music and I think Spotify. The first one is called “Testimony 1: Lyrics 4 Life” and the other one is called “The Big Shank Redemption” under the name Joe-L “Da Vessel” and Melodic from the days when I was with my old production company called Daas Wuz Up Ent.
Me and my son Black Galaga put out a single on Bandcamp called “Shotz Firred” pt. Deux under the group name Genetikz (video on YouTube).
My last full project was one I produced with my brother Blac Nashon from Chicago called “PressureMakezDiamondz” also on Bandcamp under the group name fRee RaDikalz.
18. What are some of your future projects in the works? and Which ones are you looking forward to Most?
I’m working on an EP with my son - not titled yet - but we both have singles dropping in March Lord willing. I’m also working on my new solo project called “War In Peace” and a single ready to go for early summer called “Summatyme Fyne.” Hopefully me and Blac Nashon can get “PMD2” done soon but I’m also working with a few other artists and producers on some upcoming projects. I’m just trying to stay busy and keep up with you King!
19. Where can we find you online , so that we can be kept up to date on your work? feel free to paste all social media and music links here!
FB: Joe E. Blessed or Joe L Da Vessel
IG: Joe E. Blessed
Twitter: Joe E. Blessed or Genetikz Muzik
For bookings, features or production:
20. Any Special thanks or shout-outs? feel free to do so here.
Salute to you my brother and thank you for having me…it’s an honor and a privilege. Also to my beautiful wife Cyndi-Boo and my son Lil Joe aka Black Galaga…of course my Momma lol…and to ALL the real emcees, Dj’s, beat makers, producers, artists; etc.
21. Do you have any advice to pass along to other artists and producers that are just getting started?
Regardless of your influences, be the best YOU that you can be in life and in music and that will always set you apart from the rest.
22. Was There anything that we didn't cover? that you would like to add, or final thoughts for the readers? feel free to do so here.
I would just like to say, God is real and I know for certain that He gave me gifts and talents to glorify Him, to help others and to shine my light on the world in a way that reflects Him!
Shalom!
Big Joey Blizzessed (Joe E. Blessed)
