We recently connected with Joyce Howard and have shared our conversation below.
Joyce, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The Most Meaningful Project I’ve worked on is my Latest Album 30 Plus. It is available for purchase worldwide. This is my follow-up album after I was a victim of gun violence and suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2018. I had just released an album May 2018, just had an amazing release party for my album ironically titled, SuperGlued Glass, I was up for several awards and 1 month later I was struck by a stray bullet to the head. So when I released 30 Plus and listened to it, I knew I was ready to continue and face any obstacle that may come my way because it definitely feels like I’ve been through it all lbvs and I can still write about Love From Every Angle.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
When I first started singing I was in church my father is a minister and singer as well. When I first fell in love with Art of different mediums was when I would watch my mother paint .They both influenced me even if they never knew it. I knew I was an artist after winning my first talent show in 5th grade and writing what I like to call my 1st serious song titled Forever In Your Eyes at 13. I began ghostwriting for people at 14 because I could rap as well but being a preachers kid it was hard enough to be accepted as a secular singer let alone a rapper. I joined a blues band at 17 called Total Reaction with some amazing musicians and business men. Those guys took care of me financially and mades sure I was treated with the utmost respect, like they set the bar for my mindset now of my craft and how I should be treated. They were old school guys the band equipment didn’t move without payment lol. I was always performing but cover songs. I was ready to perform my own songs so I started working on what use to be underground projects and released my first project Love From Every Angle. We didn’t have many digital outlets besides MySpace, so this entire project we sold straight out the trunk literally lol I was a singer but I hustled like a Rapper because I was that as well. The most challenging part of course of the money. I’m still no where near where I want to be so I’m going to continue to let it drive me, I’m up for the challenge. What sets me apart for one is my parents weren’t able to afford singing lessons and since they were custodians welived inside the apartment inside the school they worked at and it was attached to a real boiler room like in the Freddy movies lol. I would go in there and sing in every corner In all kind of extreme conditions of heat cold, dry air, moist air, and so many conditions sing in one you’ll see what I mean but it helped me be prepared to be able to sing in all conditions and that has definitely set me apart as an artist.
Im most proud of being able to be able to do this Independently and raise 2 beautiful children of my own. I son and daughter whom of which has autism. It definitely has been challenging but rewarding as well to watch my son graduating this year to go to college and pursue his basketball dream and my daughter graduate 2 years prior and pursuing her goals as well, I was almost not here to do any of that and so much more including releasing 30 Plus, pursuing my acting and being in several plays and movies such as Women Of The Movement, Brian Banks, Bluff City Law to name A few. I’m also working to build my organization Love Heals that focuses on survivors of gun violence and the families to provide resources for recovery from things like PTSD, being able to find proper healthcare and more. If you would like to donate or buy a Shirt or if you would like to book me for a show or speaking engagement feel free to reach out to me at @missjoycemusic on IG or email me at [email protected]. All of music is available digitally worldwide under Miss Joyce. I’m in the process of transition to Empress Joyce as I am definitely still growing as an artist.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
A book that has inspired me was The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. I titled one of albums after it. I was in Graduate school working on my Masters while working on my album and that book had to be included in my dissertation. I graduated 2012 and dropped the album The Tipping Point in 2013.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Being able to have thick and thin skin as artist.We have to be able to connect to people no matter the number if you can connect to 1 I believe you can connect to many. We have to be able to wear our heart on our sleeve and thicked skinned to let so many things go and knowing when to stand up for ourselves. We understand it’s a calling to be an artist. 
Contact Info:
- Instagram:@EmpressJoyceMusic
- Facebook: @missjoycekoq
- Youtube: @EmpressJoyce
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/2Ie16fHlLm1eZn0w3RWjWN