We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jo’liza John. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jo’liza below.

Jo’liza, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is TGDM, or ‘They Got Dat Mojo,’ a mixtape initiative I launched to honor and elevate the diverse musical talent of my hometown, the Virgin Islands. What began as a simple mixtape in 2019 quickly evolved through a new futuristic vision: TGDM expanded into networking events, the Virgin Islands Music Awards, and the TGDM VIP Experience, complete with perks like a 360 photo booth, red carpet interviews, and exclusive access to unreleased VI music. TGDM is a chapter of Dat Mojo Entertainment (DME), and DME’s mission for TGDM is to teach and inspire through art and music, recognize excellence, and cultivate the well-being of the Virgin Islands arts community, while ensuring that music remains an ineffaceable part of the culture.
My love for music stems from my early upbringings in my father’s studio, Mountain Sounds and Visions, and I take my role as a Virgin Islands DJ, DJ MoJo’, personally, due to my family’s strong musical roots within the VI. I feel a deep responsibility to continue that influence on the community. One of the most meaningful moments for me was coordinating a cover of my father’s original composition, ‘Gone Tomorrow,’ a reggae classic. Pressure Busspipe, a local reggae artist who has become a global sensation, agreed to sing the piece, as he knew the song to be a Caribbean classic. The original, sung by Goldfish, was a staple in the reggae community. Being able to collaborate with Pressure and feature the track on TGDM’s mixtape the following year was the exact feeling and reason why I do this work and why it’s so meaningful to me. ‘Gone Tomorrow,’ written by my father, Josephat John, was reshaped with an RnB twist by TGDM Top 10 nominee Ezzay, bringing a new flavor to the reggae groove. Pressure’s powerful vocals, paired with the original lyrics, gave listeners goosebumps, and that moment truly solidified my purpose with TGDM.
Through TGDM, I’ve witnessed the growth of emerging artists firsthand and built meaningful relationships with Virgin Islands music moguls, who are essential in bridging the gap between up-and-coming artists and established talent through awareness and collaboration. This project is more than just music; it’s about deeply connecting with my community and culture, providing artists with a platform to shine, and opening up conversations around who deserves recognition for their hard work, originality, and talent. As a proud tribute to the Virgin Islands and a resource for its artists to be celebrated worldwide, TGDM is the future of Virgin Islands music.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m MoJo’, best known as a DJ, entrepreneur, and the founder of Dat Mojo Entertainment (DME), an organization dedicated to music, wellness, and empowering talent from the Virgin Islands. My journey into music began at a very young age in my father’s studio, Mountain Sounds & Vision, in the US Virgin Islands. Surrounded by genres like reggae, soca, hip-hop, pop, and soul, I developed a profound love for music. Growing up in an environment where music wasn’t just heard but felt deeply, I found that DJing became my personal form of therapy. It allowed me to channel my emotions and connect with others through the universal language of music.
I officially entered the music scene in 2018, and since then, I’ve had the honor of performing internationally, spanning the UK, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and beyond. Through my work, I curate musical experiences that are emotionally resonant and inclusive, creating a space where everyone feels welcome to connect, let loose, and enjoy the rhythm of life. What sets me apart is how I craft these experiences: it’s more than just playing music; it’s about creating an atmosphere where people can breathe, vibe, and feel the music in their bones.
In addition to my music career, I am in the process of launching Dat Mojo Enterprises in 2030, an organization focused on holistic wellness through its four chapters. These chapters will use IGDM, or “I Got Dat Mojo” as an hub, to integrate music therapy, fitness therapy and mental health therapy to promote positive transformation. With my wellness retreats, I aim to use music as an essential tool for healing, helping individuals connect with their inner selves and the world around them through music, movement, and mindfulness. My mission is to foster positive mental and physical change, and I’m excited to welcome investors who share in this vision.
What sets me apart in this industry is my deep-rooted connection to my community and culture. I bring my personal experiences, growing up in the Virgin Islands and in a family steeped in musical influence, to every performance, event, and project. I’m not just a DJ; I’m a bridge between generations, cultures, and genres. I am dedicated to making Virgin Islands music a globally recognized force, nurturing creativity, promoting well-being, and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of artists.
To my fans, clients, and followers, I want them to know that my work is rooted in love, culture, and a deep respect for music as a transformative force. I’m here to inspire, uplift, and provide opportunities, whether through music, wellness, or the connections we create. My work is more than just a service; it’s a movement, one that’s grounded in my passion for both music and mental wellness. Dat Mojo is not just about sound; it’s about healing, empowerment, and making a lasting impact.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I built much of my following on social media during my humble beginnings as a DJ during COVID-19. At the time, the world was isolated, and live events were on hold, so I decided to take my performances online. By going live and DJing from the comfort of my own studio, I was able to connect with people from all over the world. This allowed me to build an audience who resonated with the positive energy and emotions I was sharing through music. It became a community where everyone could come together, enjoy the music, and forget about the challenges of the world for a while.
For those just starting to build a social media presence, my advice would be to stay authentic and consistent. Don’t be afraid to show up as yourself and connect with your audience on a real level. Social media is all about relationships, so focus on building trust and providing value, whether that’s through entertainment, education, or inspiration. And, of course, stay consistent. The more you show up, the more your audience will start to recognize and engage with you.
I’ll be the first to admit, though, I need to take my own advice. I know that going live and performing helps me connect with my audience and boosts my success rate by an additional 30%. But right now, I’m dealing with some minor anxiety about launching my live show again. It’s a reminder that even when we know what works, there can still be personal challenges we need to push through. I always joke with my family and friends that after IGDM launches, I’ll have to use my own wellness services. Lol. Looks like in the interim, I’ll have to get out of my own way and practice what I preach. It’s all part of the journey, and I’m excited to face that challenge head-on.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that I had to do everything alone to be successful. Growing up, I was taught to be independent and self-reliant, especially coming from a family that ran its own local business, Centerline Bakery and Deli (1988). That mindset served me well in some areas, but it also led me to take on too much at times and neglect the power of collaboration.

The backstory is that when I first started building Dat Mojo Entertainment and working on my DJ career, I believed that if I wanted things done right, I had to do them myself. I tried to juggle all aspects of the business, like planning events, managing the brand, creating music, and even handling marketing. I felt that asking for help or working with others might show weakness or take away from my creative control. But I quickly realized that trying to do everything myself was draining, and it wasn’t sustainable in the long run.

Through experience and reflection, I came to understand that collaboration is key to growth. Whether it’s building a team or simply leaning on trusted partners, accepting insight and resources from your family and closest friends and sharing the load allows you to focus on what you do best, while benefiting from others’ expertise. Unlearning this was a big shift for me, but it’s made a huge difference in both my business and personal life. Now, I embrace collaboration and know that success doesn’t have to come from doing everything on your own.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://datmojo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialdjmojo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialdjmojo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@officialdjmojovi
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/officialdjmojo