Boston’s own Jouls Juliano is coming out of the gate strong with not one, but two back-to-back singles: “Adios” and “Cha Cha.” Known for his unique blend of classic hip-hop influences with a modern twist, Jouls has been steadily carving out his place as a producer and audio engineer, and these new releases are a testament to his ever-evolving artistry.
“Adios” sees Jouls teaming up with two heavyweightsâSlaine and Ruste Juxxâdelivering a gritty, hard-hitting anthem that showcases his ability to craft sharp, polished beats that perfectly complement raw, storytelling lyricism. Meanwhile, “Cha Cha” is a high-energy banger featuring Termanology, Josue La Promesa, and Seefour, highlighting Joulsâ versatility as a producer.
We sat down with Jouls to discuss his journey, his latest projects, and what lies ahead in 2025. Letâs dive into the conversation.
âAdiosâ marks a new chapter in your career. How would you describe this new direction in your sound, and what are you hoping listeners will take away from the track?
I feel like âAdiosâ does mark a new chapter. With “Adios,â the direction was a gritty sound inspired by the art of Mcâing. Nostalgic feeling that gets you pumped and showcases the essence of the genre.Â
How do you approach the production process for a track like “Adios”? Could you walk us through the creation of the beat and how the collaboration with Slaine and Ruste Juxx came about?
The production style of the track is driven by heavy bass and drums, with a 90’s hip-hop vibe. The focus was on finding the right MC to match the energy of the beat. My process starts with feeling out the rhythm, often beginning with the bass, then building from there. For “Adios,” the bass line came first, followed by the drums. The beat is entirely original. Once it’s set, I think about which artist would suit the track best.
I prefer working with artists organically, often from my network. I met Slaine years ago in a barbershop and reconnected at a show. After running his merch table, I expressed interest in collaborating, and he asked me to send some beats. He recorded the intro and a verse, exactly what I envisioned.
I learned about Ruste Juxx through the Boston music scene and thought he’d complement the track. After reaching out, he delivered a verse that matched the energy of Slaineâs contribution. Both artists brought their A-game, making the track a success.
Your career has taken you from mixing on a PlayStation to producing polished hits. What has been the most challenging part of your evolution as a producer, and how do you continue to push your craft forward?
I would say the most challenging part for me is staying consistent. I gotta make sure Iâm making time for the music. Itâs who I am. I have a great love for creating and listening to music as well. Sometimes life gets in the way. I have kids and a family. So I gotta keep a balance. Which sometimes can be tough.
âCha Chaâ features Termanology and Seefour, and itâs another high-energy track in your catalog. Whatâs unique about this collaboration, and how does it compare to some of your previous works?
“Cha Cha” is very special to me. The way the relationships formed with each artist are unique. Iâve been working with Seefour for almost 5 years now, and we have built a strong bond and a sound with our collaborations. I posted the beat on Instagram, and Seefour commented on the post. (Same as for âRich Foreverâ) I sent him the beat and he wrote his verse. Meanwhile, I wanted to pay homage to the Latino culture. So I reached out to Josue and asked him if he wanted to be a part of the track. He agreed and invited Seefour and Josue to the studio, and I recorded their parts.
Shortly after I was doing a podcast, Stuck on Stuff, and I spoke to Super STAH Snuk. Snuk is part of the group ST. Da Squad with Termanology. I met Term at shows and we had a little bit of rapport from being at events and Term was also a guest on the podcast. So I asked Snuk if he wouldnât mind reaching out to Term to see if he would like to be part of the record. Term agreed.
A couple weeks later I got a message from term. Heâs in Puerto Rico, sitting by a pool. He sent me a clip of his verse. It was surreal. The whole turn of events could have fit the record more perfectly. Term said when he gets back from Puerto Rico he would record the verse and send it over. I couldnât have been more happy. He killed it. I feel like the track shows how versatile I actually am. It shows that I was able to put together a record from start to finish and produce a record that works.
Youâve mentioned that no matter what happens, you always return to music. What does music mean to you on a personal level?
Over the years, I have struggled with adversity. From drug addiction, homelessness, and trying to pull myself together for myself and my family. Social pressure and self-doubt as well.
Early on, as a teenager, I always wanted to be involved with hip-hop. The culture and the music. I just had no one to turn to for guidance on how to get there. I was addicted to drugs, and I could manage to keep doing music. After some time of getting off drugs, I started to get back into it again. It took me some time to navigate, but eventually I met some people who helped me navigate the local music scene. From there I was all in and started building relationships.
At some point, I realized I was putting in too much time and began to neglect my family. I was always out late at shows or in the studio. It was really taking a toll. In the midst of that, my wife got sick and had to be admitted to the hospital for an extended period. So I put all the music stuff on hold. I had to refocus. I started rebuilding my household. It took some time, but I was able to dabble a little once everything was good at home. So I started to ease back into the creative and got some music releases and then started my series âLive from the Lab.”
All was going well. I felt like I was finally balancing my life and passion. But a couple of years ago, I lost my mom. She passed in July of 2022. It devastated me. I found myself disconnecting from the music again. But I know she would be so happy to see that Iâm back to it again. She was my biggest supporter.
Given your extensive experience in the industry, whatâs one misconception about being a producer or audio engineer that youâd like to clear up for people?
All the hit records that you hear all around the world would not be possible without producers and engineers. I feel they are commonly left out of the conversation. They are an important part of the process.
Boston is an integral part of your identity. How has the city’s culture, music scene, and your South Boston roots influenced your work and the sound youâve cultivated over the years?
The music scene in Boston is a tight-knit community. The culture for many years has been everyone out for themselves. I have personally seen so much growth in the scene over the years, and it is a bit more open than in the past.
My upbringing in Southie helped me to navigate and build relationships within the scene. Iâve developed thick skin and learned to be arrogant and humble at the same time.
Looking ahead, what direction do you see your sound evolving in? Are there any specific genres or styles youâre looking to explore more in the future, or is there something new that you’re eager to experiment with?
I would love to see myself explore different genres for sure. I am a fan of indie rock and would like to explore this desire to work in this genre. I have already done some production in the genre, and I will navigate my way in just as I did in hip-hop. But ultimately I would like to continue to grow and evolve as a hip-hop producer because, at the end of the day, hip-hop is such a big part of who I am as a person.
