Jayohcee

APTN National News
Akwesasne beats in a Kahnawake night.

Hip hop artists from Akwesasne recently descended on the Edge club in Kahnawake for an album launch.

Akwesasne duo Redd recently released their album Rez Rydaz LP.

APTN National News reporter Jorge Barrera finds a Mohawk hip hop voice on the rise. - Jorge Barrera

OCTOBER 3, 2014 - THE FIRST ANNUAL RED ROOT MUSIC FESTIVAL
In the studio we are interviewing Jayohcee (Corey Jocko) and Bear Armz from "The Storytellers" and part of the Red Root Studio. They are promoting a huge event on Saturday October 4th at The Native North American Indian Trevelling College, The First Annual Red Root Music Festival.
Go to link to LISTEN NOW! DOWNLOAD NOW! - CKON FM

Native rapper's life a tapestry for his rhymes
Posted By Megan Harrison



When meeting local rapper Corey Jocko, the first thing you notice is a tattoo on the side of his neck that reads "death before dishonesty."

When asked about its distinctive placement, Jocko, 22, answers with a smirk, saying he likes his tattoos the same way he likes his music: front and centre, where everyone can see them.


"I'm a musician," he said. "My entire life is in my songs, so you know, it's not like I've got something to hide."

Jocko is one of the newest artists to hit Canada's almost non-existent rap music scene.

Originally from Syracuse, N.Y., Jocko moved to Cornwall Island's Mohawk reservation with his mother so that he could get to know his family. And having no siblings of his own, he became very close with many of his cousins.

"They became my brothers," he said.

"All of us hung out together, grew up together. We were a pretty tight family."

At the age of 17, Jocko experienced the first in a string of tragedies to hit his family, when two of his cousins, Jimmy Jocko, 32, and Chris Cook, 26, were killed when their car plunged into an open construction pit at First Street and Amelia on Halloween night, 2003.

He would lose another cousin, Eric Cook, 18, just a year later.

But the biggest blow wouldn't come until 2005, when another car accident would claim the life of his cousin, Matthew Montgomery. Jocko said he and Montgomery were about the same age, and coupled with the deaths of the other young members of his family, he was at a loss about how to cope.

"I was having trouble dealing after Matt was gone, so I wrote this song for him in two days," he said.

"I showed his mother and she loved it, she said she wanted me to record it, so she got me hooked up with this studio, and I was in there, like, the next day."

Jocko said reaction to the song "r.i.p. matt" was so great that he started writing more.

He tried to save up to make his own album, but a run-in with the law derailed his plans and he wound up having to spend his savings on a defence lawyer.

Luck finally favoured the young rapper when, upon finding out about his music, his lawyer told him a friend owned a recording studio in Ottawa.

Eager to record again, and to show the judge that he was doing something positive with his life, Jocko took the offer, and is now doing the final work on his first album.

Jocko wouldn't disclose the details of his pending court case, saying he's not proud of his past, and that he doesn't want to get lumped in with the stereotype that all rappers have criminal records.

"It's not what I'm about. It happened, and I'm dealing with it, but I'm not a criminal. That's not me, not who I am."

Instead, Jocko said his rhymes are really about showing pride in his native routes, and trying to show the youth in his community that there are good stories to tell on native reserves.

"Native people are suffering, but we're also prospering, and that doesn't get shown," he said.

"I have a story to tell, and this CD is just one chapter of my book. When you listen to the CD, it's not just about that one song that's hot on the radio, because every song is part of the story."

Jocko said work on the album should be finished by the end of the month, and though it remains as-yet untitled, he's already had some thoughts on what to call it.

"Something like Beginning Again, or The Beginning," he said.

"Because this is it for me, you know, writing music, recording. I've got some stuff in my past, but this is where I'm beginning."
- standard freeholder

The Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School (AMS) took the opportunity to reward the students selected to the AMS Thunderhawks list by throwing a party for them. As a special treat, local rapper Corey Jocko put on a show just for them in the gym. The students had an opportunity to get up close and personal during the performance and enjoyed themselves immensely. To become an AMS Thunderhawk students have to meet a certain criteria that identifies them as a student of distinction: Homework must be completed each day; students must be free of suspensions; students must complete a fitness test in September and show personal improvement each term; they must be kind and caring and participate in school or community activities; students must also learn and practice the Kanien'keha word or phrase of the month to promote Mohawk language. Congratulations to the students selected to the Thunderhawks list. Keep up the good work! Seaway News photo - Seaway valley New

Corey Jay Jocko (J.O.C. – music logo) a struggling new local artist, is a brave Akwesasne young man of just twenty-two. He is pursuing his dream in spite of odds against him, into the competitive world of music as a budding artist - breaking out to become a native Hip-Hop/Rap singer and aspiring song writer. Corey Jay is intrinsically motivated to change and believes he could be a positive role- model to the young people. His passion is expressed when he talks to you.
Grief is also no stranger to Corey Hay. Dealing with his mother’s illness to cancer (who is in remission) at a tender age of fifteen and tragically loosing four cousins within two years. He refers to them as Bro’s (since he is an only child). With all the horrendous grief Corey turned to music, Hip-Hop/Rap to soothe his soul. After all he always listened to Hip-Hop but never thought he would be writing/singing himself today.
Jocko has stated “When I get serious with music. Music sets serious with me” Then added, “My stress reliever is my music, it’s my life and music is my therapy” If you look at Corey Jay, he appears pensive. His pain is still eminent on his face. Then challenged of disappointment that he experiences doesn’t’ allow him to give up either. That’s one of his strong messages to the young people. “Never give up” He was scheduled to speak at Akwesasne Mohawk School on December 11th to a young crow of 4th, 5th and 6th graders. The principal, who set this up, suddenly had to leave here, because her mother was seriously hill. This engagement was cancelled. Another showing, a Christmas Concert for December 13th on a Saturday at the A’nowara’ko:wa Arena fell through also due to a hockey game. That would be schedule at much later date.

But another opportunity arose on December 12th at 6 o’clock at the Akwesasne Adolescent Groupe Home-longwanonhsaseti-Cornwall Island for one hour to do his presentation. Corey Jay was apprehensive at the beginning. Once he got into his groove he relaxed for the remaining of his talk. That went well, thanks to Gerald Ramson fro allowing him to speak to the young, but Ramson wasn’t present for the evening. Julie Gambill Case Survivor was available and encouraged Corey to perform his song, after the speech, which he did gladly. This will be added to his portfolio.
Here are some samples of his collection so far. On April 16, 2008-Standard_freeholder interview Corey Jay along with a picture on the Front Page. Also a National Press on CTV Adding that he had been nominated in four categories at the 1st annual native Emusic wards- received his tickets and was unable to attend this important event because of another engagement – with regrets- saved these tickets into his portfolio anyways. Corey is working on an album- CD - with all his songs on it. Hopefully to be finished by summer of 2009.
On December 3rd, 2008, Jocko joined Toastmasters International – Smart City in Cornwall, to improve his pubic speaking. Most members wait at least six months before attempting their first presentation. Not Corey, he was determined to do his speech on the same night he became a member and actually did very well.
Corey Hay Jocko is hosting a show with friends Davey and Guyanne Bédard-Javey Entertainment at the Boys & Girl Club and says “Stay Strong.

- parade of nations

This is a link to an interview on youtube. i am no longer in the possesion of the original video. If you have time follow the link to watch. - APTN