Real Life Real Faith Men of Faith November/December | Page 18

PAGE 18

LIFESTYLE

FEATURE

A self-described “country boy” born in South Georgia and raised in Alabama, Joe often accompanied his
traveling evangelist father on the road. Growing up, he also learned to play the guitar and piano while
developing his vocal skills in church. Joe’s dream of attending Dillard University in New Orleans to study
business and law took a backseat when he opted to relocate to New Jersey in pursuit of a musical career.
After notching his first R&B top 10 for Mercury Records in 1993 with “I’m in Luv,” Joe began hitting his stride
in the mid-‘90s with the R&B and pop crossover smash “All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do).”
An ensuing string of hits—“All That I Am,” “I Wanna Know,” “No One Comes Close”—sealed Joe’s reputation in
the 2000s as an R&B superstar. And the seven-time Grammy nominee’s memorable collaborations with
Mariah Carey (“Thank God I Found You”), Big Pun (“Still Not a Player”) and G-Unit (“Wanna Get to Know
You”) further underscored his musical versatility.
Joe’s flexibility offstage extends beyond cooking to sports (“I’m very competitive when it comes to
basketball, bowling and shooting pool”). He’d love to return to school and get his degree. But right now, it’s
all about connecting with BRIDGES.
I d love to be remembered in the same league as a Marvin Gaye,” says Joe. “And I’ve got time. That’s the
beauty of R&B. It’s a classy genre — and class always lasts.”