Biography
Jovan’s story is every bit as multifaceted as what he brings to the table artistically. Born in the Bronx and raised in Atlanta, Jovan’s childhood memories are split between a mother who loved R&B and introduced him to music by playing artists like Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, Blue Magic, Harold Melvin and Blue Notes around the house and a father who would moonlight as a deejay and managed various musical acts (such as the popular 90’s Latin group Barrio Boyzz). Jovan’s father exposed his talented son to his business early on by taking him around innovators in the business including industry legends Teddy Riley and Maurice Star. His father’s connections also afforded Jovan the opportunity to travel on the road with artists like early 90’s R&B group The Boyz (Dial My Heart, Crazy), which introduced the impressionable youngster to the entertainment lifestyle.
As a teen, Jovan played drums in his high school marching band and performed in several music groups, including a gospel rap clique, God’s Little Angels, in which he rapped, produced tracks and wrote hooks. Although the group would eventually disband, this experience would prepare him for things to come. As a solo artist Jovan experienced years of spending hard earned money at local overpriced studios and leaving with poor quality recordings. Jovan realized he needed to create his own environment to make music to meet his outstanding expectations of being a world wide star. In 2002, with a $5,000 loan from his father, Jovan moved into an empty warehouse space near downtown, purchased some wood, recording equipment and began construction on his own studio. Working with a limited budget he single-handedly built a bedroom and recording booth, and began working on his demo with tracks from producers DJ Toomp and Sanchez.
A few years later another connection through his father resulted in an opportunity for Jovan to travel overseas to record. “I ended up signing an international management deal and going over to Belgium to record. They had me doing stuff that just wasn’t me.” While the trip didn’t result in Jovan’s big break he believes it was a turning point in finding out who he was as an artist and his character as a man. The trip also resulted in Jovan penning his first breakout hit ‘FedEx’. “It was a great opportunity but, I was so lonely over there. I was missing home and all the things I’d taken for granted. As I was sitting in a café I noticed a FedEx truck passing by and I started writing on a napkin about how I wished I could FedEx myself home,” Jovan recalls. Upon returning stateside Jovan enlisted local producer Kevven “K-Hamp” Hamilton to produce the music for ‘FedEx’, and Anotha Dais Productions was established.
‘FedEx’ created a buzz and was released with six other songs as an EP. In May 2004, as Jovan’s name began to circulate around the Atlanta music scene, he entered a joint venture deal with independent label/marketing firm Cloud 9 Entertainment. Through Cloud 9, Jovan was able to work with established producers Ryan Leslie (Britney Spears, Beyonce, Cassie) and former Bad Boy producers Stevie J and J-Dub, who produced Jovan’s first official single, ‘Need You’ featuring former Bad Boy rapper Loon. Though the track sold a respectable number of copies, generating regional airplay, it did not lead to a major distribution deal and the companies parted ways.
While, Jovan would prefer to perform with his multifaceted 8-piece band, his musical material isn’t restricted to the confines of the contemporary R&B genre. Jovan’s dual style was showcased perfectly on the groundbreaking mixtape entitled 24: Season One, hosted by DJ Don Cannon (Aphilliates). Cannon and DJ Sense immediately labeled Jovan’s innovative approach ‘Rhythm and Streets’ and he became the first R&B artist to put out a mix tape hosted by the Aphilliates. The mix tape segues between Jovan’s smooth vocals and his hip-hop driven alter ego boldly challenging the current state of R&B. “No one is making real records anymore,” Jovan insists, “It’s a joke. People know it but no one is saying it.” 24: Season Two hit the streets early in 2007.
As 24: Season One made its rounds throughout the southern region, Jovan’s name began buzzing on everyone’s radar including longtime friend DJ Toomp. Toomp recognized Jovan’s star quality and offered to shop him along with his label N Zone Entertainment for distribution. Although Jovan is no longer signed to N Zone, the two maintain a solid relationship and Toomp’s Sound Trap Studio is now housed in the very building that Jovan built a few years back, and is home to the offices of Anotha Dais Productions and N Zone Entertainment and Toomp will executive produce Jovan’s debut album titled King of Hearts. “Toomp was more than a business partner, he was and still is a mentor and a friend,” Jovan says of his relationship with the infamous ATL beat banger.
In April 2007, Jovan was selected to go on the Seagram's Gin Live Tour with rap duo Clipse and R&B sensation Mya. The eleven city tour gave him the opportunity to garner national attention with dates in D.C, New York, and Miami. The tour was not only a pivotal point in Jovan's career but a springboard for the next level of opportunities awaiting him. While touring, Jovan began filming a documentary on his life as an independent artist on his first tour and the struggles of trying to make it in the music industry. The documentary, tentatively titled DAIS AWAY: JOVAN DAIS, guarantees a raw and un-cut version of the journey an artist takes to success in the entertainment business. While filming the documentary Jovan developed a passion for film editing and now adds film director to his repertoire of talent. In addition to Dais Ahead: The Jovan Dais Documentary, he has several other original Film and Television programs in the works including: America’s Next Great Songwriter and The Narrator (A Short Film and Soundtrack).
Having experienced the ups and downs of the industry, Jovan has developed a thick skin, in addition to evolving into an even more seasoned artist and businessman. With a catalog of album-ready songs, his business swagger up, and an aggressive team in place, Jovan has opted for independence and is currently seeking distribution for his production company.
Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. Feel free to contribute!
All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.
