We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Josh Stokes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Josh, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I got my resilience from my parents. I watched them both create jobs for themselves, and others. Remain consistent, and passionate through illness, opposition, self doubt, and apparent doubt from others. Seeing that showed me how to navigate through this harsh world, encourage and never quit no matter what.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Josh Stokes, Jam Master J, Tha Mad Mastermind. I am an Artist, Musician, Producer based in Baltimore. I have been fortunate to work with amazing artists such as Marsha Ambrosius, Theophilus London, Redman & Method Man and so many more. I love to tour, create, and collaborate with like minded individuals. It is extremely exciting to create an idea and see it become something to someone else. Also performing in front of a crowd, and exchanging that energy. That is an unexplainable feeling. Every few months in the year I am always reminded that I am on the right path, and to keep going. Nothing could make me extinguish my passion of art, and creativity. There is always a test that will come to see if you are serious about what you’re saying. It will push you to see if you really mean it (Family issues, financial struggles, etc.). It’s up to you to fight against those thoughts and ideas attempting to be placed on you, and stay focused on what it is you desire. Everything, and everyone that is supposed to be there will be because they love and support you. Remove yourself from anything else because it only makes your journey harder, but not impossible.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities that are most impactful is to be an approachable, workable person. Do not get that confused with being a pushover. You must still be stern on your respect as a person, and point of view. Timeliness is one of the biggest things I’d stress to anyone!! No matter how dope you are, if you’re always late or just not reliable no one will work with you! Take that to Tha bank! Lastly, I’d say remain a vessel of creativity. Don’t close yourself off to new concepts. These things make us better, and more experienced as a whole, which are Tha true riches! People will value you, and want to have you around.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am looking to travel this world, perform for amazing crowds, and create new magic with talented artists. I would like to partner with companies to create shows, festivals, and platforms for unique voices to be here by audiences craving something fresh. Something that can inspire, and lift up. That’s what I’m about!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://joshstokes.bandcamp.com/music
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshstokespma/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013471847284&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshPma?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@JoshStokesPma
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/josh-stokes/703863984
Image Credits
Kevoproductionsbby Marcus Clinton Josh Slowe
