Working with Steve

10/22/2025

^{By Joy Lynn Clark}

^{I already had my own apartment on the southside with my boyfriend who was a dance dj. After I had just done the Jerry Springer Show, I met my first producer at a rap concert.  We went to some cool clubs and he introduced me different artists in the cities’ local music scene. I felt guilty going out to meet a man that’s not my boyfriend but I wanted to do more hip/hop and EDM and my boyfriend was more of a old school/deep house/disco dj.   He reluctantly accepted that I am trying to further my own career.  I felt guilty because he seemed to be losing it and I didn’t know how to help him. Whilst in the club Steve and I discussed my relationship drama and lots about the hip hop and dance music scene.}

^{My boyfriend and I had our inevitable breakup and I moved to the north side and started City College. I eventually began taking the red line to the blue line and then a bus to work with Steve on the West side. My commute was nearly two hours each way because of the Green Line Construction project and the fact that I came on Sunday. I usually wrote my lyrics then.}

^{I stayed busy with school, work, recording, and performances. During that time Steve introduced me to some other artists; an actress, comic, and a dance DJ/producer. They are all still working like myself.}

^{Eventually Steve and his girlfriend had a baby with special needs that seemed to occupy much of his time. In addition, it seemed as if he was giving the rest of his time to the comic. Consequently, I started looking for other people to collaborate with. Steve introduced me to an electronic producer and my aunt introduced me to a drummer who is one of the “Daves” (Dave H. and Dave B.).  I also met a dance producer who was on the near West side (thank Goodness) who I recorded some music with after I moved to my own place on the near South Side.  He also shared his music software with me after I purchased a new computer. I started making my own tracks immediately after and it is not yet Y2K.}

^{Eventually I met Shyste and Tez. I wrote and produced a couple of records for them which we promoted at different events around the midwest, the south, and the east.  I am not self-taught however, after I graduated City College I went to the Academy for advertising production. The parties and the shows were amazing. Those are some of the best years of my life however, our money was still very funny and I kept looking for more work.  After we recorded Tez’s R.A.P. (Rythmic American Poetry) Tez disappeared for awhile, Shyste got a job, and I needed one very badly. My aunt Grace looks over my resume and asks about Steve. “I haven’t talked to Steve in a while, I will go and pay him a visit” I respond.  However, I make my way to the West Side and ask for a copy of “Keep it Elevated” that I recorded over one of his tracks on DAT tape which he didn’t even want to try and dig up.  Years later, I rework “Keep it Elevated” and recorded “Initiation/Violation” completely digital over one of my original tracks.} 

^{However, back in the early 2000s Jennifer and I are both trying to get our lives together renting out grandma’s basement apartment. “I just don’t know why I’m not getting any good work” I complain as my aunt looks over my resume once again. “I really think there’s something going on with Steve” my aunt comments. Months later Steve Wilkos Co-stars on the Jerry Springer show as the bouncer/security guy.  Steve Wilkos is a bodybuilder and wrestler who became famous breaking up all of those fights on daytime talk.} 

I wrote “Money on My Mind” (circa 2006).

I started writing “Keep it Elevated” during Chicago’s massive train construction project (circa1996) that went on for over a decade. No Boundaries is the latest version that was recorded in 2012. The instrumental track is available for non-exclusive lease.