Joey aich
Written By: Henry Allen | Photos By: Ben Leeson, Colin Trubee, & Abigail Tabler
Joey Aich is one of the driving forces in the Columbus hip hop and music scenes. Known for his tireless work ethic, humility, and high-energy performances, he approaches every show as a chance to uplift and connect. As his star continues to rise, he’s celebrating the wins and finding new opportunities to help other artists find success of their own.
Joey has always been an entertainer. He was born and raised in Woodmere Village near Cleveland, Ohio where he acted in theater productions, sang in the church choir, and fell in love with performing on stage. The progression naturally led him to create some of his own material. “Writing has always been therapeutic for me,” he explained. “As I got older, I realized I liked poetry, and then I started to gravitate toward music.”
He began writing original songs under the stage name Joey Aich (pronounced like the letter “H”) in high school. “The first time I performed my own original music, I realized this is what I want to be doing. This is where my passion lies, and this is where I belong.”
Joey’s passion for his craft is evident in every performance. He takes the stage with a ton of energy and excitement, easily drawing the attention of everyone in attendance. Look away, and you might miss a great moment like one of his signature backflips. He has a great rapport with DJ Mike Dow, who regularly shares the stage to spin Joey’s records and hype up the crowd. On special occasions, a backing band (billed as The Head Band) will join to perform live arrangements.
Regardless of the setup, Joey is there to give it his all. Each performance is an opportunity to make a positive impression on someone in the crowd. “Whether there’s five or 5,000 people, every show is Coachella to me,” Joey explained. “You never know who’s watching, and every moment on stage is a chance to inspire somebody. That’s why I go so hard regardless.” As Joey finds new levels of success, he remains humble and hungry. His work ethic is undeniably midwestern.
Making a living as an independent artist is a constant grind. Without access to the resources and personnel provided by a label, everything falls on the artist’s to-do list. To make the job more manageable, Joey’s delegating tasks where he can. “I’m building a team of people that will help things work a little smoother.” he shared. “I’d love to work with a booking agent, a publicist, and a team of creators so I can bounce ideas off of them and keep things moving.”
“I realized this is what I want to be doing. This is where my passion lies, and this is where I belong.”
It’s comparable to how a professional athlete works with a team in their pursuit to learn, grow, and improve year over year. Joey has always loved sports. He grew up playing baseball, basketball, and football, and he still plays recreationally when he has the time.
“Sports were my first love, and then I fell in love with music,” he explained. “I reference sports in my lyrics, and it’s always been an extension of me. Music and sports have always felt interconnected.”
That connection is the root of what has grown into a big opportunity for local musicians. In collaboration with the Columbus Crew, Joey and his friend, Camden Yacobucci, have begun curating and hosting a concert series before home games at Lower.com Field. “We wanted to do something for other artists, and help get them in front of as many people as possible,” Joey shared. “Now, people can go to a Crew match and find their new favorite band.” Fans can catch the show at every home game.
The hip hop scene is alive in Columbus, but shows can be hard to find and even harder for artists to book. Some venues are hesitant to host hip hop acts, citing concerns about rowdy crowds, or requiring performers to foot the bill to hire extra security - a bias that is unfounded in Joey’s view.
It forces hip hop artists to host and promote shows without the infrastructure that many Columbus musicians benefit from and count on. As a result, artists often turn to hosting DIY shows at shared spaces around the city, for example, at 129 Studios in Franklinton. These events draw crowds, but they don’t provide the proof that booking agents are looking for, which further exacerbates the problem.
“When I talk to booking agents, they want to see ticket sales or split sheets from the shows I’ve played,” Joey explained. “If hip hop artists don’t have access or opportunities to perform in the types of venues that provide that information, then I can’t prove it.”
To help improve the scene, Joey suggests that venues should create more opportunities and drop their misconceptions about artists and their fans. “Venues need to understand that hip hop is strong here. There’s a long list of legendary rappers in the scene, and when I talk to some of them, they don’t even know that they can do shows here.”
Despite these challenges, Joey has managed to build a solid relationship with several venues around town. Smaller clubs like Natalie’s, Rambling House, and Ace of Cups have provided consistent opportunities for him to perform. You can also catch him regularly at PromoWest-owned venues like The Basement, Newport Music Hall and A&R Bar.
“Joey Aich is one of those rare artists who doesn’t just bring his talent to the stage; he brings a real sense of community with him. From the first time he performed at Natalie’s, it was clear he was family. His passion and personality are completely infectious. We’re grateful for the energy he brings every time. We even have a drink on our menu named after him!”
- Kara Jones, Marketing & Promotions Director, Natalie’s Grandview
In an industry that often rewards inflated ego and self-promotion, Joey’s authenticity is refreshing. “As an artist, I feel like I’m an extension of my personal self. So, outside of being Joey Aich, I try to be the best version of Joseph Holbert.” The messages in his songs reflect his unwavering positive attitude. “I know what I gravitated towards when I was younger, and what inspired me, so now, it’s my turn to do the same.”
Joey is constantly looking for opportunities to give back to the community. In 2021, he began working with a local nonprofit called We Amplify Voices (WAV). It’s an after-school enrichment program that provides middle school students a chance to express themselves through art, music, singing, dancing, and creative writing. Joey led a short creative workshop, and his impact was immediately felt. He was quickly brought on to work with a larger class of students for a longer summer program.
With more shows on the books and new music on the way, there’s no limit to how many people Joey Aich can reach. His work ethic and commitment to helping others is truly motivational for everyone he interacts with — on stage, in the classroom, and everywhere in between. He ends each show with the same message, encouraging the crowd to always love, and always inspire.
“I just want to live, and leave this place better than we found it.”
Published June 26, 2025