YUNG JOC WORDS & PHOTO: MAURICE G. GARLAND
T
he day is June 6, 2006. 666. The day that Block Ent./Bad Boy South artist Yung Joc sees his debut album New Joc City hit the shelves. The numbers in the date are all too fitting because so far the day has been a beast and its left its mark on Mr. “Its Goin’ Down.”
Already running on fumes from the day before that saw him in New York taping for BET’s 106 and Park, Joc is up at 6 in the morning getting ready to make a couple of radio station appearances. Unfortunately, a glitch found its way into the matrix and threw everything off. Preventing him from taking over Atlanta’s airwaves to promote his album. But the mix-up was not a total loss. Because of the mishap, Joc and crew have little more time on their hands so they head back to Block Ent.’s headquarters. Joc heads straight for the studio as if he’s trained himself to do that every time he walks inside the Decatur-based compound. But, this time vocals are taking a back seat, or couch for that matter. The only thing Joc is laying down is his head. < As his colleagues laugh at his loud snoring, Joc’s publicist Joyce A. Wilson is coordinating the rest of his day. The first order of business is figuring out what Joc is going to be wearing to his album release party at Visions later on that night. Since Joc is still sleep the daunting task of picking sneakers is left up to Bad Boy marketing director Jason Wiley who confers with shoe maker Archie to figure out which pair will look best on Joc’s feet. > The second order of business is getting Joc ready for his interview with local entertainment show The Daily Buzz. The show’s producer and crew are ready to roll as soon as they hit the door. But a drained Joc is still trying to sneak some sleep in as his discusses what’s about to happen with the show’s producer. Eventually, he wakes up and is ready to roll. After recording footage of him rapping in the booth, signing autographs for kids and eating at Ms. Ann’s, he finally gets some more down time. But by now, Joc is wide awake reading about how his song and album are now climbing the chart. > < The next stop is Justin’s Restaurant for DJ Appreciation luncheon where Bad Boy Entertainment will be showing some hospitality to the DJs that helped Joc’s record blow up nationwide. The label flew in DJs from Mississippi, Florida, Virgina, North Carolina, Houston, Memphis and New York City. While being treated to free chicken wings, egg rolls and crab cakes, the lucky DJs get to hear Joc’s album in its entirety. Even though “I Know You See It” has been chosen as the second single, the DJs seem to love “See Me Coming.” After lunch is over with, everyone heads over to the West End to visit the Boys and Girls Club where Joc reminds kids to stay in school and chase their dreams. Of course the kids were probably more interested in hearing about the famous people he’s met and how much money he’s made, but Joc made a lasting impact on the youngsters. > The rest of the day included doing retail walk-thru and radio interviews. And the crescendo was the hectic album-release party at the highlypopular Club Vision in the heart of Buckhead. Of course a lot of partying was done, but in moderation. Because Joc has to wake up the next day and do it all over again. 70
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