MUSIC LYF: Meet the Homeworkz Artists!

OPM evovles with a whole new group of musicians that are all quality artists. Leading them is the Prince of RnB Jay-R!

Today marks the comeback of the award-winning singer and producer JayR as he releases his massively anticipated all-original album, Elevated, in record stores and via iTunes and all digital retailers now.

Properly celebrating and promoting the record’s arrival, the R&B King took the stage for a very special performance with other Homeworkz artists topbilled by recording artist Mica Javier, hip-hop/R&B artists Q-York, rock band Kley, novelty rap/hip-hop artists Salbakuta, singer-actress Frencheska Farr and Rakenrol star Glaiza De Castro via the first-ever Homeworkz Music Blog Con, to elevate their respective albums, last March 31 at Treehouse, Makati.

Elevated

“[ But ] First of all, I want to say that I really am grateful to all the people who came to my album launch last week. I’m really happy so many people were able to make it to the launch despite the delays caused by the traffic. For some reason Extra Rice our band was so on point that evening. We sounded amazing together. Q-York, Deejay, Mica Javier, Kris Lawrence and AJ Rafael all showed love and performed with me on stage. We did the songs we wrote for the album. It was a lot of fun,” JayR quipped. “Nyoy Volante even came to watch and I kind of put him on the spot to do a song with me. He was kind enough to get up out of his chair and amaze the crowd. An awesome night.”

Comprised of 14 outstanding tracks with collaborations from Kyla, Mica Javier, Q-York, Gabi Wilson, Jhing, Jimmy Muna, Marié Dibgy, AJ Rafael and Kris Lawrence, JayR’s current single You Are Not Alone feat. Philippines' Queen of R&B Kyla, as of March 21-27, 2015, is climbing the Pinoy Myx Countdown at #10.

JayR revealed an Elevated Album Tour is now brewing. “You can stay updated with all the dates and venues at jayrsmusic.com or through my social media,” he beamed. “Also, my new app is now available for download at Google Play. Coming soon to iTunes. Just search JayR and you can download my free app. Check out the free music and the DJ (Digital Journal).”

And that’s not all.

Elevated is receiving extensive critical acclaim from top outlets and his co-artists as well.

Singer Kris Lawrence said JayR has done it again. “He’s taken Philippines’ R&B to the next level definitely elevating the standard.”

Philippines' Queen of R&B Kyla shared it’s a great album. “There's a different flavor in every collaboration that really makes the album special.”

“I think Elevated is JayR's best body of work thus far because it shows his growth as an artist, and the passion that exudes from his artistry allows him to compete at an international level and push the envelope for OPM, “ Mica Javier professed. “I’m happy to have been a contributor to this album not just as JayR's partner on Tonight which already went No.1, but also behind the scenes as a songwriter and a creative”.

On a roll

And there’s no stopping him. In fact, JayR is just about everywhere right now. He continues to shine via Your Face Sounds Familiar with Gary Valenciano, Sharon Cuneta, Jed Madela and Billy Crawford.

“I surprised myself winning the first competition as Pepe Smith in Your Face Sounds Familiar. I never knew I had a talent to impersonate artist icons. I guess you can say the show brought it out of me,” Jay-R claimed.

JayR is joined by other equally talented celebrities like Nyoy Volante, Karla Estrada, Melay Cantiveros, Maxene Magalona, Tutti Caringal, Edgar Allan Guzman and Jolina Magdangal.

He admited he’s having a lot of fun doing the show. “I feel like I’m learning a lot studying the different styles, genres and vocals. I feel like I’m growing as an artist on the show and I love that. It inspires me to make my original songs even better. To elevate as an artist in the music industry.”

ELEVATED Album Tour

The King of R&B will be having a series of mall tours nationwide to promote the said new album this summer.

For all the latest updates on the HOMEWORKZ ARTISTS, you may visit: the following:

FACEBOOK: homework music; TWITTER: @homeWorkZMusic & INSTAGRAM: @homeworkzmusic. Don't miss it!

HOMEWORKZ MUSIC ARTISTS

MICA JAVIER

Facebook.com/micajmusic

twitter : @darealmica

instagram: @darealmica www.micajavier.com

Mica Javier is a Timbaland Productions recording artist known for an edgy Pop-R&B sound. She is often compared to the likes of Cassie, Janet, Nelly Furtado and Madonna, but her biggest influence is Jennifer Lopez, whom she opened for as the official front act to the first ever J.LO Dance Again concert in Manila. With a background in contemporary dance, modern jazz and hip-hop, and a singer-songwriter acoustic guitarist at heart, Mica’s roster of drum-heavy danceable yet melodic stadium pop records has begun to make waves.

In a 75-song licensing deal between Timbaland Productions and Extreme Music-SONY/ATV, a number of her records were licensed by major TV shows, commercials, and films in the US. The first of which was her record “3000 Light Years”, picked up by Fox’s hit musical TV series GLEE in 2011. The same song was also picked up by Lifetime’s popular reality show DANCE MOMS in 2012, and then released as a featured single on iTunes. Another of her records picked up by Extreme Music was “Freedom Song”, which she was invited to perform live in New York City for the annual Project Lipstick fundraiser, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women. She shot the “Freedom Song” music video with

award winning director Paul Coy Allen, and DP Rob Witt. Mica has since caught the attention of other music industry veterans such as Chad Hugo of N.E.R.D., who included her song “Joy Joy Joy” on his most recent mixtape with MSSL CMMND, Why Fight the Space Age, in March 2013.

In June 2013, MICA released her first ever single in her hometown, Manila, a duet called "Tonight", featuring the Philippines' king of RNB, Jay-R. Produced by WizzDumb from the Timbaland camp, and written by Mica and Jay-R, the single shot to No. 1 on the Wave 89.1 FM (Manila's leading high-end radio station for urban music) Top 8 at 8 music chart. It also lingered at Top 10 on the Soul Review Countdown for weeks. The sexy and edgy "Tonight" music video, directed by Romson Niega and edited by Ninja Scrawl, was premiered by MYX Philippines, the number one music video channel in the country. The video pushed the envelope for OPM (Original Pilipino Music), as it climbed both the Top 20 Pinoy Myx Countdown, and the Myx Hit Chart simultaneously. Due to the success and popularity of "Tonight", Mica and JayR were invited to perform their single live on GMA7's most prominent TV shows Sunday All Stars, Walang Tulugan, Love HotLine, and MARS, alongside their backup dancers, the Philippine All Stars.

After having been exposed to the audiences of such popular TV shows, Mica was then invited to guest solo on TV5's newest hit show, The Mega and the Songwriter, with megastar Sharon Cuneta and songwriter-extraordinaire Ogie Alcasid. She joined two other "new breed" of artists, Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez's son Robin Nievera, and Kuh Ledesma's daughter Isabella Gonzales, where all three were pegged as the up and coming artists following in the footsteps of their relatives who are veteran icons in the Philippine Music Industry. In 2014 Mica took home the Best New Female Artist at the Aliw awards and Best Female Artist at the Urban Wave 89.1 FM Awards along with Best Collaboration with Tonight by Mica Javier and JayR.

Mica is not just a Model, singer/performer but an entrepreneur as well. In the same year she launched MNL Scents. Available at selected Cinderella's, Fisher Mall and www.iheartmnl.com.

Q-YORK

Facebook.com/qy0rk

twitter : Q_York

Instagram : @Q_York

Q-York stands for “Quality – Yields Our Richest Key” and also Queens, New York where the group was founded in 2001. The group consists of KNOWA LAZARUS (MC / Songwriter) and FLAVA MATIKZ (Producer / DJ). Both born and raised in Queens, New York, they are brothers from different mothers whose bond was forged through the music in their souls. They visited the Philippines in 2007, and fell in love instantly. By discovering their roots they also found the purpose and inspiration they were subconsciously seeking their whole lives. They exploded on the Philippine Music Scene in 2009 with their hit single “Mainit” which became a summer anthem for Pilipino’s worldwide.

Q-York’s relentless drive, versatility and god-given talents have allowed them to travel the world and collaborate and produce for with international and local celebrities such as: Ron Artest, Philippine Allstars, Far East Movement, Canibus, Camile Velasco, Nature (Formerly of the FIRM), Quest, Gloc-9, JayR, Young JV, Paloma Esmeria, Krista Kleiner & Joan Almedilla (US Broadway Star) just to name a few. Q-York’s music is an all-you-can-eat buffet of style and sound that entertains and educates, which is why they call it “Edutainment”.

Besides making great music, Q-York uplifts, inspires and entertains with dynamic and energetic performances. They have rocked stages with the best of them including: front act for the PussyCat Dolls Live in Manila Concert in 2009, APEC after party in Singapore November 2009, front act for Shock Value Tour in Manila with Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and JoJo, Top selected performers of the 7101Music Nation Camp November 2010 with Gary V., Rico Blanco, Jim Paredes, Jay Durias, Jungee Marcelo, Gary Grenada. Front Act for “Truwarier Records Tour” feat. Mobb Deep, Ron Artest, Crud Luv 2003 (US Tour). Front Act for Fillmore Coleman “Horns & Halos” Tour feat. Andre Nickatina, San Quinn, Equipto 2007 (US Tour).

In 2014 their Philpop song Qrush On You feat JayR & Elmo Magalona hit the charts hard and stayed there for weeks. In the same year they launched their newest album called Q-Labonation under Homeworkz. From the title you can already tell that there are many collaborations. Not to mention that the collabs are with some serious game players in the Philippine music industry. Ogie Alcasid, Ebe Dancel, Sponge Cola, Yeng Constantino, Jay Durias, Kris Lawrence, Quest, Dee Jay, Mica Javier, Roxanne Barcelo, Marcus Davis, Kat Lopez, Izz, Abby Asistio, Vince Bueno and JayR. Q-Labonation is available at iTunes, Odyssey and Astrovision.

DEEJAY POBLETE https://www.facebook.com/Deejaypoblete

twitter : @DJkleyBand

Instagram : @deejaypoblete

Born and raised in Los Angeles by a family of talented musicians, there's no doubt that Deejay Poblete was destined to be a singer. She always wanted to be in a band and with the support of her family, she moved to the Philippines in 2007 to pursue her dreams. Shortly after, she met Noah Zuniga in 2008 and the concept of Kley was formed.

Since then, Deejay has been learning the ropes of the music industry, gaining experience in writing rock and pop hits, television and commercial ads. In 2012, she was the champion of Pinoypop Superstar and won the attention of the OPM industry with the song "Dulo ng Dila," her duet with R&B King, Jayr as an entry to Philippine Popular Music Festival.

This talented "rock chic" is giving a whole new meaning to the term. When she hits the stage, she connects with her audience with her soulful, rock-pop, soaring voice and appealing stage presence. Her fluency in Tagalog and approachable attitude also helps her connect with the audience. This rising star can do anything she puts her mind to and when Deejay's not singing, writing or rehearsing, she's baking sweet treats. Music has always been her #1 passion and rocking out is her favorite form of expression.

DeeJay also maintained a band signed under R&B King, JayR Sillona’s indie label Homeworkz and under his mentorship, KLEY completed their first, self-titled album in 2012, featuring JayR, Gloc 9 and the late Ronnie Dizon. “Kley” is available at Astrovision, Astroplus, Odyssey, iTunes and Reverbnation.com. Their first single “Tsismosa” released in 2013 is on daily rotation throughout Manila’s hottest radio stations . In 2014, Kley won Best New Artist (Group) at the Aliw Awards.

Sadly though, the band Kley has broken up. Singer Deejay Poblete is going solo and will release an album anytime soon.

FRENCHESKA FARR

https://www.facebook.com/FrencheskaFarr

twitter : @FrencheskaFarr

Instagram : @frencheskafarr

Born as Marie Frencheska Mae Tobias Farr and was named as the Next Female Big Star along with Geoff Taylor as the Next Male Big Star on the television show "Are You the Next Big Star?" in 2009. After winning Are You the Next Big Star?, she started in various television guestings and shows. She guested at the christmaserye of GMA Network, Sana Ngayong Pasko. She was also included in the defunct SOP. She also became a part of the BandaOke wherein she was included in the BandaOke band along with her co-Are You the Next Big Star? batchmates, Geoff Taylor and Jay Perillo. In the movie industry, Farr bested other actresses as she wins the lead role in the Filipino musical movie, Emir.

In 2010, she released her debut album “Inside My Heart” under GMA Records. She is currently seen in GMA 7 Telebabad series “Second Chances” top billed with Jennylyn Mercado, Camille Pratts, Raymart Santiago and Rafael Rosell. Music career-wise, she just released her digital single “Let My Fire Out” and on the 16th spot at the Pinoy Myx Countdown!

“Let My Fire Out” is now available on downloads via iTunes and Spotify.

GLAIZA DE CASTRO

www.facebook.com/glaizaredux

https://www.glaizaredux.tumblr.com 

twitter : @glaizaredux

Instagram: @glaizaredux

Glaiza is a blossoming artist who continues to withstand the tough world of both showbiz and music.

She is best known for her works on screen, big and small, but has proven to be more than just the actress we grew to love. Influenced by her parents’ love of music and the bands she grew up listening to, this musician by heart never gave up on her very first love – Music!

A sincere storyteller, Glaiza is not afraid to share her life experiences and express her emotions through her songs. In “SYNTHESIS” – her upcoming album she co-produced with JP Garcia – the true artist in her is unleashed. The album reflects Glaiza’s unique ability to showcase her music by flawlessly blending her artistry as an actress with her patent skills as a musician. Writing most of the songs and collaborating with her peers in others, and mixing the elements of rock, alternative, soul and country – This promises a kind of music that is simple yet profound, laidback yet entertaining, and

personal yet relatable. It strikes just the right balance of black and white merged to form a whole new musical experience told from the bird’s eye view of the artist’s own existence.

Being visible in two different worlds both aimed at entertaining the public, “SYNTHESIS” is by far Glaiza’s finest work to date, giving any audience a better understanding of the passion and hard work of one gifted artist.

Meanwhile, Glaiza is now a Homeworkz artist.

SALBAKUTA

You hear that stupidly brilliant song everywhere you go, in the malls and on jeepneys, haunting you like a bad refrain. You have gotten such that Stupid Love by the Pinoy hip-hop group Salbakuta has entered into the realm of OPM pop lore. They enjoyed instant celebrity status in the early 2000's because of that phenomenal hit single “S2pid Luv” which featured the late Nasty-Mac of Block Pro. Their first album sold quadruple platinum. They have guested and performed all over the Philippines and were regulars on the hit TV show, “Bubble Gang” in GMA-7. Now they released a new album called, “Rebirth” with their first single, “Mabuti Nalang” features King of R&B, JayR.

Salbakuta is composed of Ben-Deatha, Charlie Mack and Mad Killah.

Just recently, the band has broken up. “Rebirth” is their last album/project as a group.

HomeworkZ Music Bloggers’ Conference featuring Jay R, Mica Javier, Q-York, Salbakuta, Deejay Poblete, Glaiza de Castro and Frencheska Farr is brought to you by HomeworkZ Music with official online partners LionHearTV, Ang Sawariko. Com and MNL Online. Special thanks to MNL Scents, Q-York Edutainment and Treehouse Tavern A Venue.