A sweltering New York summer night hangs heavy in the air. The crowd’s chatter fades as the first notes of “Una Noche Mas” ripple through the venue. Josi C steps into the spotlight, and just like that, you’re whisked away to a beachside party in the Dominican Republic.
That’s the magic of Josi C, folks. Born Jose Cabrera, this rising star is shaking up the Latin music scene with a sound that’s as diverse as the city he calls home. But let’s rewind a bit, shall we?
Long before he was packing venues, little Jose was belting out tunes in his family’s living room. “I was obsessed with Jose Jose,” he laughs, recalling those Saturday morning cleaning sessions soundtracked by classic Latin ballads. But it wasn’t until he found himself, at just four years old, holding a candle and singing in Juan Luis Guerra’s children’s choir that the spark truly ignited.
“I knew right there and then that this is what I wanted to do,” Josi reminisces. But life, as it often does, had other plans first.
As the oldest child of Dominican immigrants, Josi felt the weight of his family’s sacrifices. “I had to focus on making sure my mother’s sacrifices were well invested,” he explains. So, he hit the books, learned English (and a few other languages for good measure), and eventually landed at Penn State.
Fast forward through a successful stint in project management, and Josi found himself at a crossroads. The 9-to-5 grind was stable, sure, but that childhood dream kept calling. “It was just the sign I needed,” he says of his unexpected foray into the music industry.
Now, Josi C is making waves with tracks like “PDR” and “Luna y Mar.” His sound? Imagine if a Caribbean breeze could sing, then throw in some New York swagger for good measure. “I like to inject my Dominican culture and vibes into my sounds,” he grins.
But don’t mistake Josi for just another Latin pop star. This guy’s got layers. One minute he’s crooning about lost love, the next he’s dropping projects that’ll have you dancing till dawn. Take his latest single, “PDR.” It’s all about being hopelessly drawn to someone, even when you know you should walk away. Sound familiar? Yeah, we’ve all been there.
Looking ahead, Josi’s got big plans. There’s a new track called “Otra Dimension” in the works, which he describes as having “galactic, chill, sexy, dance vibes.” (Is it too early to line up for tickets?)
He’s also gearing up for his first live shows. “They’re scaring the bejeezus out of me,” he admits with a chuckle. “But a good scary, like ‘I can’t believe this is happening’ type of scary.”
As for dream collabs? Josi’s got a wish list longer than a New York minute. “FEID, Karol G, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, Usher…” he rattles off, before adding with a grin, “Honestly, I’m writing a song with an Indian writer right now! I just love beautiful music.”
At the end of the day, what drives Josi C isn’t fame or fortune. It’s the connection. “I want to create memorable sounds that tie with people’s present moments,” he muses. “When that song comes on and things just ‘click’.”
So, the next time you’re scrolling through Spotify and come across a track that makes you feel like you’re sipping a piña colada on a Dominican beach (while somehow simultaneously strutting down a New York street), chances are you’ve stumbled upon Josi C. Give him a listen. Your ears – and your ‘liked’ playlist – will thank you.
Catch Josi C on Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal. Follow him on Instagram and TikTok, check out his website, and subscribe on YouTube.