Emerging R&B artist Jeaux celebrates Black love — How Sacramento shaped his sound

Sacramento R&B artist Joseph Guidry felt the reach of his 2020 ode to Black love “Soul Food” when a Howard University student asked him if she could analyze his song for an English paper.

It gave him a thrill he described as the best feeling of his five-year music career.

Guidry, better known as “Jeaux”, is making a name for himself with an authentic sound of heart and soul. “Soul Food” caught fire on TikTok, where young Black couples shared it with visual collages of their relationships.

The former community college football player and church singer released his first album, a 10-track project called ‘Point of Departure’ in 2019, which had songs like “Tomorrow” and “Mission”. He sold out the Guild Theater in Oak Park that year, too.

He followed that accomplishment in 2020 with “Breathe,” a soul-cleansing track, and “Soul Food,” the love anthem dedicated to Black representation. Recently, he released two singles ahead of Valentine’s Day, “The Real” and “Only”. He said he has more songs are on the way.

“I drop every two to three weeks, that’s been my goal right now, to stay consistent,” said Jeaux. “The campaign is called #JustDropJeaux.”

His message: ‘vibe responsibly.’

“You can’t listen to R&B and be responsible and not have me on your playlist, that’s irresponsible. So vibe responsibly,” said Jeaux. “I’m everywhere like air. It’s been a blessing. If you love R&B and you want to feel again, we’re a vibe, come vibe with us.”

Musically, he said he is inspired by Joe, Brian McKnight, Bebe Winnans, Marvin Winnans, and Glen Lewis.

Jeaux gathers creativity from his experiences, and spreads love and positive messages through his songs. His is a Sacramento sound shaped by his upbringing in South Sacramento and the family and friends who he credits with keeping him on a positive path.

‘Best of both worlds’ growing up in Sacramento

Before his songs circulated on social media, Guidry was known mainly for three things in Sacramento: his football playing days at Cosumnes Oaks High School and Sacramento City College; mentoring athletes; and singing.

He said his music career started in choir at church. Guidry sang at multiple churches, but it was most notable that he would sing at South Sacramento Christian Center – located at 7710 Stockton Boulevard.

Whether going to school in Elk Grove or hanging out with friends he met at church, he made a connection with people everywhere he went.

Those experiences gave Guidry “the best of both worlds” in Sacramento, he said, helping him become the artist he is today.

“For me, I was in the ‘hood on the weekends and I went to school in the suburbs during the week,” said Guidry. “When it comes to people and different personalities I understand people from all walks of life and it’s helped me musically.”

He said growing up in Sacramento was a “blessing, but there’s a downside to it.”

Guidry said experiences during his adolescent years, such as shootings at house parties, have given him PTSD.

“I still wouldn’t take it back, it really made me who I am. Rest in peace to those who didn’t make it,” said Guidry. “It’s a blessing to make it this far.”

Becoming Jeaux

Guidry comes from a two-parent household who kept him involved in many church youth groups. He calls them his top influences as an artist.

Growing up, he had many of his friends in the same youth groups and some became involved in street life.

When he once contemplated stepping into that life, he had a friend who encouraged him to continue singing. He focused on his passions, music and sports.

“I remember one girl who said ‘be who you are, you don’t have to change nothing, just be who you are,’” Guidry said, recalling his friends’ words. “‘You’re a little singer, you like to sing. We like that about you, you be singing in church, lifting your hands, stay there.’ I remember I stayed.”

He was formerly known as Joey Casanova, but he decided that he wanted to let people know his heritage and went with “Jeaux” as an ode to his family’s roots in Louisiana. He credits Louisiana State University’s slogan “Geaux Tigers” for the inspiration.

“I’m a big LSU fan and I love how they spelled go as G-E-A-U-X,” said Guidry. “My name is already Joe (I thought) what if I took the same spelling and from then on it was a hit and I stuck with it.”

Representing Sacramento

Jeaux’s music career allowed him to work out of the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and as far as Atlanta. He’s proud to represent Sacramento, saying that the city is beginning to become recognized for its home-grown talent.

He said people forget how much talent has been linked to Sacramento. It’s been home to individuals like Keith Powers, Victoria Monet, and Darius and Dominique Logan, who co-wrote ‘Streets’ for Doja Cat, known for the “Silhouette Challenge” on TikTok.

“We have so much talent right here in this city that people forget, you don’t have to leave here,” said Jeaux. “You can stay here, but you have to move around. Life is not meant to be experienced in one spot.”

He believes that there needs to be a change and development of a “capital city mindset” in the music and entertainment scene in Sacramento.

“When you think of the west coast, we’re the capital of the best state in the nation, so why aren’t we the best?” said Jeaux. “I think everybody collaborating and being on one accord realizing nobody is bigger than the program.”