Interview with Joe Woyee

Kinzo music works is a music producing company that aims to expand the market for Liberian music in the Twin cities. Information on this page is found at Kinzo Music Works. For more information and to purchase/listen to their music online visit CD Baby.

Check out this "Star Tribune" story on African musicians in the Twin Cities that features Jake D and Kinzo

Kinzo Music works is the culmination of hard work and dedication to the cause of furthering Liberian musical identity in the Twin Cities and abroad. The company was founded by Jake D and his wife Naser, and Joe Woyee, all three artists on the label as well as administrators of the company.

Kinzo’s main purpose is to gather artists and assist them in promoting their music. According to Joe Woyee, one of the founders of Kinzo Music Works, "Our purpose is the look for talent" says Joe Woyee, one of the founders of Kinzo Music Works. "We want to gather it in one place. Then the identity will form…Jake [D] and I are doing different things, but we are both Liberians and the identity will emerge after we gather the artists."

There is difficulty in marketing the music that they play, to non- Liberians and Liberians alike. The difficulty to selling to world music markets is that their music, which is a blend of Afro-pop , Caribbean and many other musical influence is that it "lacks authenticity."

"People’s ideas of music from a different land are so different from people that are there," said Woyee."Many people think African music is a group of people in grass skirts jumping up and down in the dust—it’s almost like they don’t want Africa to grow."

It is also difficult to market Liberian music to Liberians themselves. Many of the Liberians in the Twin Cities work 2 or 3 jobs and it’s hard to catch them all on that rare day off when they could come and see a live music show. Many people also see music as an extra, a luxury that is not necessary.

" Most people would rather have a DJ [at a wedding] or have their brother blow out the speakers on his stereo than call up local musicians and talk to them, work something out…they don’t realize that this is one of the best ways to support local bands and your own music."

Despite the obstacles that Kinzo is faced with, it continues to grow as people learn more about it. Kinzo has become a strong vehicle for African musicians from all over the Twin Cities to produce, promote and to sell their music. Check them out at www.kinzomusicworks.com and see for yourself all of the fantastic artists that wouldn’t be heard if it wasn’t for Kinzo.