The Okanagan-based artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Jodie B pays tribute to life's go-getters with her dynamic hip-hop single, "Backyard Paradise." From international festivals to smoky blues bars, Jodie B has continuously been there to offer her sweet and talented sounds. Orchestrating and creating with various instruments, Jodie B's talent led her to open for acts like Kytami, DubFx, The Pharcyde, and Method Man & Redman.
When speaking upon the single, Jodie B mentioned, "'Backyard Paradise' is dedicated to the snowboarders and skiers, the adventure seekers that live for fresh snow and crisp air." With heavy production and Jodie B's passionate performance, the track truly stands out as a breath of fresh air.
Opening "Backyard Paradise" are filtered melodies that chime and glimmer with enchantment. Once the powerful drums make their appearance and flood the song with modernity, Jodie B leaps into the track and offers a thrilling performance through her incredible diction and articulation. While the production begins to slow down, the sonics offer this anticipatory sensation, gearing us up for a significant transition or drop.
We're wildly impressed with the instrumental switch-up that meets our speakers around the halfway mark, as we're sonically serenaded by a thrilling bassline and a blistering 90s hip-hop beat. Jodie B continues her powerful venture and offers us a chill or two through her mighty vocal stylings and a dynamic feature from rapper Robbie G.
Feel the rhythm with Jodie B and Robbie G on the exhilarating single, "Backyard Paradise," and allow the track to take you on an exciting journey.
We're hooked on the groove and feel of your recent single, "Backyard Paradise." What inspired you to create an ode to life's risk-takers and thrill-seekers?
One day I was riding up the chair lift at Big White on an epic snow day, and I watched four snowboarders carve perfect, untouched lines between the giant snow ghosts. The air was crisp but the sky was a bluebird. It was a PERFECT shred day! I thought of my verse right there and wrote it down in the notes section on my phone. This is our backyard! It's paradise!
How did you write your bars and lyrics to offer listeners a thrill through the single "Backyard Paradise?"
We wrote our bars and lyrics with descriptive words and detailed visualization to really try and capture the moment and make you feel like you're there with us. We wanted you to feel that little high five from the snow when it hits your backhand on a fresh pow day.
Was this your first time working with rapper Robbie G for your single, "Backyard Paradise?" What initially drew you together?
It was! I've known about Robbie G for a long time as he's very involved in the hip-hop scene. He's performed alongside major artists including Snoop Dogg, Wu-Tang Clan, Nelly, Akon, and Mos Def, just to name a few! Robbie stopped by the recording studio I operate (Frequency Wine & Sound) when he first moved to Kelowna. I read his new book "Rappers Guide To An Enlightened Mind" and thought to myself, whoa, Robbie G is a real one! (ps. I highly recommend this book to everyone, it can be found on his website).
I knew Robbie was into snowboarding so I sent him the track and asked if he was interested in putting a verse on it. He sent me back a recording the next day, and then we all went to shred the hill!
Do you usually create music that's more hip-hop-oriented? Or do you experiment beyond different genres and sounds as well?
I definitely like to experiment. I love taking inspiration from all kinds of instruments, individuals, events, places, and genres. One day I'll really want to dance and create a Soca rhythm or I'll want to create something dark and heavy completely dependent on my mood. However, 90% of the time I seem to gravitate towards 90's Hip Hop live drum breaks and Atmosphere's poetic, storytelling style of writing.
What's next for you?
I've actually just won a grant from Creative BC for the Career Development Plan. So I have a few songs that I'll be releasing with the help of them. One song is called "Human" which will have a featured music video and expresses how connected mother nature is to the human body, that we all come from the same planet and that we should be supporting each other, lifting each other up, and not tearing each other down. The other song I will be releasing in the near future is called "Mountain Prayer" which features local indigenous artists Dani Lion and Snotty Nose Rez Kids. The message of this song is similar to "Human".
I think we all need to be a little more connected right now, so I am expressing that as much as I can in my new material.