Ed. Note: Throughout October, I've been sharing stories about past and present Memphis musicians in honor of Memphis Means Music Month (M3 Month). I hope you find some new favorite tunes. I'm happy to share with you this guest post by John Miller from the Memphis Music Foundation, who writes about today's modern Memphis music artist,  Jocelyn "Jo'zzy" Donald. 

Jocelyn “Jo’zzy” Donald is one of those rare talents who could have a successful music career in any number of genres. Her brother fostered her early musical inclination (“he gave me everything from Ne-Yo to Nirvana”, she recalls). Her mother, who was part of Willie Mitchell’s Hi Records and had hits like “Love What You’re Doing to Me”, was an influence as well. As she grew up, Jo’zzy developed her own style and worked in several studios in Memphis, including Young Avenue Sound, The Trap House, and Section 9.

When Wizz Dumb, production collaborator for multi-platinum producer Timbaland, came through town looking for songwriters, Memphis Memphis Foundation Program Assistant Issac Daniel immediately recommended Jo’zzy. She joined the Dumb Drumbs production team and moved to Miami last year, and since then has worked with multi-platinum selling Indonesian artist Agnez Monica, Cher, and Michael Bolton, among others.

After her childhood idol Missy Elliot encouraged her to pursue a career beyond songwriting, Jo’zzy began working on her own material with Wizz Dumb. She released her EP "Twenty90s" earlier this year, which gave her a platform to pursue her dreams on a more personal artistic level. The EP contains seven tracks, including her hit “Tryna Wife” featuring Timbaland.

Jo'zzy (AKA “Dope by Accident”) is currently working on her full-length debut album, and will soon be releasing her debut single “Go Hard”. She is also working on collaborations with Timbaland on Jennifer Lopez’s upcoming project and with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. music artist, Teyana Taylor. You can hear her EP "Twenty90s" online at www.dopebyaccident.com and follow her at twitter.com/Dopebyaccident.

About the author: John Miller was born and raised in Memphis, falling in love with the rhythm of the city. He got his start in music working at Archer Records and currently serves as Music Resource Center Manager at the Memphis Music Foundation where he works with and advocates on behalf of an incredible creative community. Music is his biggest passion, but he’s also known to fervently support the Tigers, Grizzlies, Red Sox, and Manchester United and will have words with anyone who suggests Cozy Corner’s ribs are not the best on the planet. You can reach him at [email protected].