I hate country music. The twang of the country guitar combined with harmonica usually makes me want to puke. I thought this dislike would be permanent, but influencer-turned-musician Jovi Greene changed my mind.

Though he is best known for syncing his movements to songs for his cooking content on social media, Jovi Greene is not an ordinary influencer. At just 12 years old, he co-wrote and performed the anthem for “The Call to Unite,” a 24-hour global livestream during the COVID-19 pandemic which included celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Yo-Yo Ma, according to his website. 

But he did not stop there. During the pandemic, he taught himself how to play multiple instruments and began to nurture his talent, showing remarkable dedication to his art and expanding his skills in ways that put him ahead of other budding artists.

Now, at 17 years old, Greene is once again making waves, this time in the country music community. 

His first single, “Two Tone Top,” has a classic country guitar twang. Yet, instead of making me cringe, it makes me want to stop what I am doing and just listen. 

My favorite part of the song is the chorus, where he adopts a disyllabic structure, alternating between two-syllable words and two guitar strokes. This creates a beautiful suspension that mirrors the feeling of the lyrics, which are about how his love for someone is just based on a single memory. The glissandos in the backtrack also reflect his nostalgia.

Greene is good at making his music match the mood of his lyrics, and “Pink Ponies” is no exception. The harmonica and horse whinnying in the intro set the scene of a country town. He employs his signature suspension technique during the chorus, but instead of going back to a memory, he wants to go back to his hometown. He also adds to the suspension by layering different guitar riffs inside each one, which keeps me hooked.

Part of Greene’s unique approach to music stems from his diverse musical background. His father toured with Latin rock artists, and his mom grew up on a blend of country, folk and blues music. An eclectic history with music always sparks creativity and innovative approaches to composing music, and it evidently helps Greene make his songs distinguishable from other emerging artists.

Though he only has two singles published right now, Greene’s infectious guitar riffs, warm lyrics and down-to-earth feel will attract a huge audience. But for now, I can proudly say that I am a loyal fan of Greene, an artist destined for musical and commercial greatness.