When it comes to speaking frankly Joudi Nox avoids any form of hesitation. Through her music Joudi Nox uses fearless honest statements to express hidden truths that others typically avoid addressing. This latest musical release HOWTOBEAMAN (pt.1) exposes toxic masculinity through satirical analysis of irrational social rules which define male conduct. The song combines stripped-down trap instrumentals with autotuned vocals to deliver precise lyrics that reflect its targeted subject matter ironically.
Through her direct observation of male interactions in her social group for many years and personal life experiences Joudi crafts her artistic expression. The initial segment of HOWTOBEAMAN (pt.1) surpasses conventional critique because it delivers a strong declaration. The track accomplishes both therapeutic release and social provocation because she uses cutting insights to decode social norms through her unapologetic sincerity. The unapologetic songwriting techniques and production methods of Joudi find their fans among Billie Eilish, Lorde and Tate McRae listeners.
Joudi takes a seat to discuss the motivation she had for the track and the artistic challenges she faced while creating its message as well as preview what “(pt.1)” represents for her musical future. Joudi Nox uses her music as more than a musical medium because she creates conversations through her songs. The new voice emerging in the musical landscape will challenge established norms without hesitation.
Listen to HOWTOBEAMAN (pt.1)
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“HOWTOBEAMAN (pt.1)” is an intriguing title. Can you walk us through what inspired this track and what the “(pt.1)” suggests about your future plans?
I wrote this song after being part of a friend group that mostly consisted of boys and I watched them over the years follow a set of rules that seemed ridiculous to me. One day I decide write all these rules down like a rule book on how to be a man, all the hypocrisies, all the absurdness, all the toxic masculinity. I originally wrote a 4-minute song but the second half felt out of place so I decided to split it into two parts.
How would you describe the sound and feel of “HOWTOBEAMAN (pt.1)” to someone who hasn’t heard your music before?
It sounds like a bitch face or a frown. It sounds like the face I and many women I know made when the guy they’re out on a date with says the one thing that reminds us that after all he’s another boy, another follower of the HOWTOBEAMAN rulebook. It’s punchy but lowkey. It’s bassy and dark like the reality of being around a lot of men these days. It’s an in-your-face beat and vocals that sound disappointed.
Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked the creation of this single?
Well, years ago I was hanging out with this guy every day. We called late at time every night, we go on dates so I develop feelings. I confess, he says he feels the same. The next day he changes his mind and wants to stay friends. The dramatic person that I am goes to class pissed off, fed up with all the twisted rules boys follow.
I begin writing down all these rules I learned from that boy and all my guy friends. I was fed up that the song was on paper in less than 3 minutes. I rushed home after class to produce it because I knew exactly what the bass should sound like. What’s funny is that this guy still to this day unaware that this song is about him and our friend group.
The title suggests an exploration of masculinity. What aspects of manhood are you addressing in this track?
I’m addressing the things a lot of men prioritize in their lives over healing, emotional maturity and empathy and then label that masculine. I learned that from my previous guy friends that even though we’re all friends, they don’t bond and don’t help each other emotionally most of the time.
For that specific friend group, I noticed an undertone of competition a lot. Everything they do is not for their own fulfillment but for some competitive end, either getting more women, being more fit, having a better career, a nicer car, a longer ding dong…etc. Everything is a cock show basically. The song points out this unhealthy logic that they follow.
What was the most challenging part of creating “HOWTOBEAMAN (pt.1)”?
Being satisfied with the final version. The song went through a lot of tweaks and edits and then went back full circle to something similar to the original version. I learned to trust my production instincts and just let things go and improve with the next release.
What was your songwriting process like for this single? Did the lyrics or the music come first?
The lyrics definitely came first. The bass line even came before the melody. I just wrote things down and my brain kind of had an idea how things will sound like but I couldn’t hum it loudly like I usually do because I was in class lol. I rush home, turn on my mic, and hit record. It just happened. Most of my best songs come out as a combo when I write them, the lyrics and music come together as if I’m remembering a song that’s not been created yet.
Did the final version of the song end up close to your initial vision, or did it evolve significantly during production?
I knew how the bassline should sound like but I was a broke music technology student at the time and didn’t have the diverse sounds and skills that I have now to produce it exactly how I wanted. About a 3 years ago I play the old demo to my best friend who, after listening to it, wanted it released while I almost forgot the song existed.
So when I reopen the session and work on it again I improve on the quality of the demo and trust the direction of where the song is taking me because in a lot of moments I paused and was like “that’s now the genre I usually make music in” but I didn’t care. I’m happy it turned out the way it did because now I’m more confident to release more music like that.
How does “HOWTOBEAMAN (pt.1)” reflect your own journey or perspective?
I’ve always been the blunt friend who points out BS when she sees it. Over the years, life knocked me down multiple times that I kind of lost that part of myself. So when I dig HOWTOBEAMAN out from the pile, I hear my old self being a baddie, so unafraid to be herself. It woke me up. I knew I had to release it because it would mean I get to claim myself again. I get to define my artistic style and pave my path and build my brand.
How does this track fit into your broader artistic evolution?
In the past few years my style was lost and I was no longer listening to music as often as I used. I had be comfortable with myself as a person and artist. I let myself listen to music from my Arab culture, Egyptian rap, Palestinian indie pop, but also indie singer-songwriter music like Gracie Abrams, and Nessa Barrett.
I took a few steps back and wondered what my style was and the answer was all them. HOWTOBEAMAN is the first time I use Arab beat and instruments from my culture but also pop bass, singer-songwriter lyrics, and hip-hop style production. This song paves the way for what Joudi Nox truly sounds like.
Is there a particular lyric or moment in the song that feels most significant to you personally?
In the second half of the second verse; “Never be close to him ‘cause that shit’s gay, and tell that random girl passing by to suck your D”. I think it’s the one I resonated with the most when I wrote it down, I was like ‘damn that’s a good line’ because it calls out how a lot of male homophobic cases come from closeted men.
On the other hand, it calls out how they don’t get close to each other as friends because they think it’s “gay” and that shows how insecure and unhealed some men could be that they don’t understand that being vulnerable has nothing to do with sexuality nor feminine things, it’s for everyone. The line after that proceeds to expose the absurdity in their actions by how they make women uncomfortable with their cat-calling. The overall umbrella of this verse is to showcase men’s chaotic behaviors in society the come from deep rooted insecurities.
Can you give us any hints about “pt.2” or other upcoming projects?
Who says pt.2 exists? But if it does, it would probably be bolder and darker, hypothetically speaking of course. Maybe even a faster beat? We’re hoping to release more music for this year that would lead an EP. Something coherent and defines the sound of Joudi Nox. I hope that I can provide cathartic relief through my music to my fans.
I may not be the friend that you can speak about your ex to over and over again because I’d probably tell you to shut up, but I’ll take you to break things or punch something to let it all out or we can take revenge on your ex, I’d be happy to help.
