Joseph Stanziola has been hell bent for the last decade of perfecting a sound that is familiar and at the same time new.
After collaborating with producer after producer, Joseph met Tyler Banks of OLIVIA FOX in 2018 with no real agenda in mind. “I knew what I wanted to create & I knew I needed help to get there” says Joseph, “We met & then things just started clicking immediately.” Upon his first arrival in Tyler’s studio basement – they had created the exact sound Joseph had been going for.
Thus arises, “Don’t Play With My Soul” – the catchy Doo Wop inspired ballad that accurately fuses Joseph’s affinity for the harmony elements of Dion & The Belmonts with the lyrical poetry & depth that is hip-hop writing. Tyler coming from a dance background after winning the MTV break dance show with Wade Robson, knew how to bring dance elements into an old time-y avenue.
Second Hand King’s journey as an artist has been nothing short of unique. After gaining ranks in Kansas City through the hip-hop scene & being “the rap kid that just never really fit in but had a place” & finding himself through concept albums about a schizophrenic friend along with an album about the world ending. In early, 2018 he released “FRANKIE” inspired by Frank Sinatra, Frankie Lymon, & his love of Doo Wop music – not quiet melding the two as well as he has here.
“The minute I heard Gene Chandler’s “The Duke of Earl” I was hooked. I knew that’s what I wanted to make and my whole life has been me trying to find the sound that’s been in my head for all these years.” says Joseph. “I felt happy listening to Doo Wop music & I felt fulfilled listening to rap music like Tupac & Eminem. It was only natural to join forces in these for me.”
90+ songs later – the blueprint of “Doo Wop Rap” is here. “Don’t Play With My Soul” is a cry for help, and trying to protect that thing in your body that cannot be defined. Much like why Joseph loves Doo Wop or hip-hop, “It’s just a feeling that I cannot escape from. It’s special to me and I’m not sure why.”
