Combining a singular voice with a DIY mentality, Joseph Black is a self-made rapper, singer, and producer on a mission to make it. Supported by rich harmonies and piercing hooks, his sharp lyrics stay raw and don’t shy from emotion as the man vividly chronicles his dramas, heartbreaks, and triumphs. It’s a blend that’s already resonating with millions worldwide. For Black, who grew up on welfare and surrounded by drugs in Duluth, Minnesota, a chaotic upbringing and the struggle to persevere provide the fuel for his music. As for the kindling, an eclectic soundtrack informed his youth — a mixture of Eminem, Lil Wayne, and country that pointed him toward the twin powers of storytelling and melody. By 15, he was recording his own music, releasing one-offs and mixtapes. At 18, he was done fighting his way through school. Black dropped out and turned to the streets, where his new routine — an untenable juxtaposition of music daydreams and nocturnal mischief — would soon give shape to his art: soul filtered through the grit of urban life.