Interview: Meet Jona Leone
Jona Leone is a well-rounded creator. As an artist, producer, model, and aspiring fashion designer, Jona is on the road to mastering all his endeavors. As a music artist, Jona's sound is R&B influenced with a touch of hip-hop. He likes to describe himself as an 'R&B Rapper,' as he works on perfecting his versatility. The artist is originally from Orlando, Fl but now resides in Arizona as he works on his upcoming EP, Mr. Leone. Jona is no stranger to the music scene. The artist dropped two projects last year; Knew Me Then (EP) and a small two-pack, Breathe Easy. Both being an introduction to the artist Jona, formally known as Jonathan. "Jonathan is Jona Leon on a good day. Jona Leone is my better self, a mirror of Jonathan Miles." I believe Jona to be a man of many talents. He does not limit himself to one craft, and his elevation as an artist is transcending. I got the pleasure to speak with Jona on his artistry and upcoming EP, Mr. Leone. Check it out below!
How are you feeling today?
JL: I am feeling good today, I've been feeling good for the past week not even gonna lie.
Who is Jona Leone as an artist?
JL: Jona Leone as an artist, is a well-rounded individual. Who likes a lot of things and likes to pull from other musical aspects I guess a normal hip-hop artist wouldn't pull from. I try to be very versatile, I'm still working on my versatility. A very calm artist, smooth artist. My persona is smooth, tall, dark, and handsome *laughs*.
How would you describe your sound?
JL: R&B influenced. It can hit home, it can hit heavy. I try to make music you can enjoy, has a melody. Something you can think to. I like to have music that is universal for all different talks and walks of life.
Who are your musical influences?
JL: LL Cool J, Drake is at the top of that list always. Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, Stevie Wonder. Kendrick and Cole of course. Kanye big influence. Timbaland big influence. Aaliyah. Partnextdoor big influence. There are so many.
When did you start to take music seriously?
JL: It was actually 12th grade. The year before that I wanted to be a fashion designer, I still am going to be a fashing designer. When I got to 12th grade a situation happened with a female friend at the time, we ended up breaking up. Within that 24hr span, I saw one of my nieces who is a singer as well, and while on a plane ride I successfully wrote some lyrics. I presented my niece with the lyrics and she suggested I try to sing that. So I tried to sing it and from there that's when it started. I've been really honing at it since 12th grade. The following year after I started producing, that took me two years to get down pack. 2018 was my breakout year to start doing shows, open mics. I would go to these things with unreleased music and get the crowd's reactions.
What is your creative process like when it comes to making music?
JL: I can be out and hear a melody, make a melody, and come up with a dope line. 9 times out of 10 I get a spur of inspiration. I never try to like set away a certain time. I definitely don't force it. When a song comes, I'll be making a beat... I hate going to studios cause I never have anything set and complete. So I kind of created my own factory as far as my recording situation. I'll be making a beat and halfway into making the beat if the beat takes like 15 minutes and it's a good beat I know it's gonna be a good song so I'll start coming up with the melody or chorus because that gives me a central idea and then I start going into my lyrics. I don't necessarily freestyle I just write and record at the same time.
You have dropped projects in 2020, 'Breathe Easy' and 'Knew Me Then.' How will your upcoming project, 'Mr. Leone' add to your discography?
JL: Better raps. I got a singing song on there that I'm proud of. The sounds and production on there are ten times better. I actually got some guest producers on there as well besides some solo producing. I got some features on here, which is something I've never been able to do. Its some good features at that, I really like. Elevation in me getting to personify Jonathan Miles through Jona Leone. Jona Leone is a mirror of everything Jonathan wants to say but doesn't have the words to say it. So, it's an elevation of my character.
What can we expect from the new EP? Performances? Visuals?
JL: Promoting it heavy while I'm in Arizona. Hopefully when stuff starts to open back more frequently definitely gonna get some shows out here. Push it out here, Push it back home as well. Do more shows and hopefully do more videos.
How do you feel about the state of R&B today?
JL: I like it and I don't. I like a lot of songs that are coming out. I feel like they are now heavily trap-influenced. I feel like the state of R&B is really picking up from where it was. It's coming out of the baby-making phase. It's coming out the really dark R&B phase, like early Weeknd, Partynextdoor, and the black phases. I don't know where it's going right now. Hopefully, I can make it go somewhere with what I want to do with it. I would say R&B is kind of in limbo cause it's super heavy with hip-hop right now. It's almost to the point where you can't differentiate it.
Zodiac sign?
JL: Aquarius
What is one song heavy in your rotation right now?
JL: There's a song on my project I've been listening to very heavy. It's called 'what you tryna do'. I like that song a lot cause it's the first time I could get a club record with a dope chorus, dope verses.
What's next for Jona Leone in 2021?
JL: I want to be in the forefront. I also want to be reclusive because I want to keep a level of mystery and exclusiveness. Hopefully some videos. Definitely working on my modeling, and my brand Novice Vision.
Keep up with Jona and his artistry on Instagram @jona_leone
Also be sure to look out for his EP Mr.Leone out soon on all platforms!
-Jasmine Pollard