Campus Features: Joey Nelson

At the University of New Haven, where creativity thrives alongside rigorous academics and social lives, one student is making waves as an emerging artist poised to leave a mark on the music world. With a passion for rap and hip-hop, Joey Nelson is steadily carving out his legacy in music. With a growing fan base, Nelson has created a safe space in his music for both himself and his listeners.

Nelson, a rising junior majoring in business with a concentration in entrepreneurship, has come a long way from his childhood aspirations.

“Growing up, I wanted to be a firefighter,” Nelson said. “They just looked so cool—to be able to save people from danger and drive those big red trucks.”

However, his dreams shifted when he realized he could use his talents to help people in another way.

“I realized there were ways I could help people without putting myself in as much danger as a firefighter,” he said. “I found music. It was another way to reach people and help them with their stress and depression. People are looking for an outlet in music.”

Nelson credits his early exposure to hip-hop culture to his upbringing in the Bronx.

“Living in the Bronx, you could go anywhere, and there would always be something music-related happening,” he said. “The Bronx is music.”

Nelson began his music career in hip-hop but enjoys experimenting with other genres.

“I would do a lot of rap songs, but I also liked to incorporate R&B,” he said. “I’m actually working on songs in the jazz genre as well as neo-soul.”

Though stepping outside his comfort zone was intimidating at first, Nelson learned to embrace the challenge.

“I felt very scared when I first started working in different genres,” he said. “But I realized it’s not something unfamiliar—it’s just that the sounds are extremely different from what I’m used to, and that’s what scares me the most.”

Nelson officially launched his music career in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You’d be surprised at the amount of exposure I got during that time,” he said. “Everyone was at home, which meant everyone was on the internet looking for some kind of outlet, and that actually helped me a lot.”

His fan base started small but has grown significantly due to his hard work and consistent songwriting.

“I’ve definitely got a much bigger crowd behind me now,” he said. “In the beginning, my only listeners were my family and close friends who knew I was making music. Now, I’m working with other students who are into music, as well as celebrities who have been amazing mentors for me.”

One of Nelson’s most notable mentors is Grammy Award winner Samara Joyner.

“We talk often, and I can always text her with any questions or if I need any information,” he said.

For Nelson, writing lyrics comes naturally, but translating them into a fully realized song presents challenges.

“I find it very easy to write music because I write about my personal experiences and things I’ve gone through,” he said. “But you need a whole village to put together a song, and that’s definitely the hardest part.”

One of his biggest obstacles is his own self-doubt.

“I tend to psych myself out, overthink the lyrics, and then I’ll post a snippet before scrapping the song,” he said. “Then people ask why I never released the full version, so that’s a barrier I’m slowly getting over.”

Despite his struggles, Nelson is committed to improving with each release.

“I always want to put out my best work,” he said. “It used to take me a day or two to write a song, but now it takes me about a week or two to finalize the lyrics.”

He typically spends three to five hours a day working on his music, occasionally sacrificing sleep to ensure high-quality releases.

Unlike many aspiring musicians who focus solely on their art, Nelson is taking a strategic approach by studying business.

“I feel like you have to know a lot about business before stepping into the music industry,” he said. “I’m learning about business and finance because it’s a tough world out there, and you can get taken advantage of if you aren’t careful.”

With five years of experience since his debut, Nelson finds motivation in his supporters.

“It’s really the people who supported me—my friends and family,” he said. “But it’s also those who come to my shows and hear my story because I know eventually, someone is going to listen.”

After taking a break to focus on his mental health and academics, Nelson is preparing to release an extended play titled Off the Radar. He expects the project to be ready in March or April.

To stay updated on his upcoming content, follow Nelson on Instagram at @j0carti3r, or check out his music and links on Linktree.

To stay updated on his upcoming content, follow Nelson on Instagram at @j0carti3r, or check out his music and links on Linktree.