Joe Gutta
Gutta is more than the name of Moodswing Productions’ rising rap star, Joe Gutta, it represents his sound, his swagger and where he’s from. “I came from the gutta,” says the 19 year-old Atlanta, Georgia, native. “I’ve been through the struggle. Instead of talking about jewelry and clothes, I keep it real. It’s gutta, about every day life.”
As edgy as he is, Joe Gutta delivers a smooth sound on his first single “Mystery Girl.” Reminiscent of a T-Pain track, Gutta gives his own flavor on this mid-tempo cut. His laid-back flow blends perfectly with the infectious, soulful hook as he sings: “Mystery Girl.” Currently in the studio working on his debut album, Gutta has been grinding out hit after hit. Stand out tracks include “Turn Up,” Which is going hard in the clubs right NOW!!! Produced by Drummer Boy. Also some other stand out tracks are “Puttin On Big” F/Meany of the Shop Boyz Produced by Joe Gutta “Walk Away” “Oh Lord” “Me for Me” Produced by the justice league, “Can I Take You Home” Produced by Jim Johnson and “What is Hip Hop?” featuring fellow Mood swing Productions’ rapper, J.R. Get Money (Universal/Motown). In addition, Gutta has a mix tape currently in the streets entitled Grind Hard, with DJ Scream of Hood Rich Entertainment, one of the hottest DJ’s in the South. He is also working on two other mix tapes with Dj Smalls aka Mr. Southern Smoke out of Florida and Dj Southern Bread out of Atlanta, GA.
Joe Gutta always knew he was destined for superstardom, but was originally banking on an athletics career. The former football star played ball for Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta. He started rapping in the cafeteria in the eighth grade just for fun. His rapping took a more serious turn after the death of his father. “I started getting out of control, I was fourteen,” recalls Gutta, who eventually channeled his pain into music. “Instead of doing crazy stuff, I thought I should write on paper how I was feelin’.”
After a series of wrong turns and one week out of jail, Gutta found himself in the right place at the right time with his writing about to pay off. Sitting in Perkinson Park in Southwest Atlanta after J.R. Get Money show, Gutta was approached by Moodswing Productions’ founder Gary “Gizzo” Smith. He tapped me on the shoulder and was like “Yo, do you rap?” says Gutta, recalling the hot August day. “I was like, ‘yeah’ then he asked me for a CD. I didn’t have one, but I told him I could rap for him and everything took off from there.”
“He looked like a rapper,” said Smith who immediately signed Gutta and put him in the studio. “He’s got lyrics and he’s got that swagger. He’s the total package.” Smith should know. With more than fifteen years of writing, producing and discovering talent, Smith has established himself as one of Atlanta’s most sought after veterans in the music industry. After signing his first production deal with famed Atlanta record label So So Def, in 1997, Smith quickly began creating chart-topping singles including the 1 hit “Promise” on Jagged Edge’s multi-platinum album, J.E. Heartbreak (So So Def/Columbia).
After that day in the park, Joe Gutta quickly found himself traveling down a positive path - in the studio and on the 2007 BET Black College Tour with J.R. Get Money. In addition to writing, rapping and singing his own cuts, Gutta also lends his lyrical talent to other people; He often collaborates with Kayo, a Grand Hustle producer who’s worked with many of today’s hottest stars including T.I. and R. Kelly.
“Gary was a blessing sent to me ‘cause of the route I was going at the time,” says Gutta, appreciative of the bright future in front of him. “He got me out of the streets from the negative things.” Now Gutta plans to stay in the streets through his music. Aiming high, the driven rapper has his sight set on a Grammy. “Staying loyal, staying humble and working hard,” he says, is the best way to get there. “Grind hard and be patient and everything else will fall into place.”
