Joi Bernadette Cardwell, born October 8, 1967 in New York City, is an American singer, songwriter, and later holistic health coach and lawyer. After performing in school competitions and studying English and music at New York University, she began her career as a background vocalist for artists such as Melba Moore and LL Cool J before collaborating with house pioneer Lil Louis on the 1991 Number 1 dance singles "Club Lonely" and "Saved My Life", which marked her breakthrough. In 1995 she released her debut album The World Is Full Of Trouble, spawning the Billboard Dance top‑five hits "Jump for Joi" and "Love & Devotion". Her self‑titled 1997 album produced the chart‑topper "Soul to Bare" and the international single "Run to You". In 1999 she launched her independent label No‑Mad Industries and issued Deliverance, followed by the 2005 album The Plain Jane Project, which yielded the dance‑floor hits "Freedom" and "It's Over". Subsequent releases include Wanderlust (The Soundtrack) (2009), Must Be the Music (2011), The Art of Being (2014), and Pride and Joi (2018). Cardwell earned recognition as a top‑ten dance artist, received GLAMA and IDMA awards, and was ranked No. 43 among Billboard’s greatest dance club artists in 2016. After retiring from music in 2017, she opened the Jump for Joi Wellness Center and, in 2024, completed a Juris Doctor degree, joining the Florida Bar.
