Now Playing: Queen Jo's Broad Street Bella
BY JOHN MORRISON
In the Fall of 2018, Philly-based verteran DJ/Producer Matthew Law dropped a one-off single called “Boil & Pop.” True to its name, the song is an exercise in song tension and release with relentless vocal delivery bubbling up under the pressure of tight, minimal House-rhythm. The playful flow and husky voice at the center of the track is that of Philly-born MC/Singer (and the host of Law’s monthly party Friends N’ Fam), Queen Jo.
Since the release of “Boil & Pop,” Queen Jo has been teasing the release of her own solo project: Broad Street Bella is a neon-lit trip through dating, shopping and self-actualization against the backdrop of Philly nightlife. Most of the project’s tracks are a fusion of fiery verses over uptempo club tracks. “Like Cooked Food” is a rumination on sex and love presented in a series of food metaphors not unlike the MF DOOM classic “Mmmm Food.” The track “Spending Money” doesn’t walk the line between frivolous and introspective so much as it embraces both. The song’s theme is solidified by its chorus which is unapologetically snarky, vulnerable and materialistic “Spending money just to heal my heart, oh shit! I maxed out my card”.
Broad Street Bella is constant exploration of musical and thematic dichotomy. Dexturious bars and lyricism is carried by accessible dance beats. Tender-hearted lover and a hot girl enjoying her freedom in the city. To sum it up succinctly, Queen Jo describes Broad Street Bella as “a (s)heroes soundtrack for the round’ the way girl too stubborn to quit and not bold enough to be a stripper.”
John Morrison is a Philadelphia based DJ/Writer. Follow him on Twitter@John_Liberator.
