Warrior Girl! She's 5' something, light skinned, great dancer, with an awesome smile, and best of all, she's my cousin. Congrats Cristina for being a part of 2009 Golden State Warriors Warrior Girls. I know what you guys are thinking and yes, they will have an Official 2009 Warrior Girls Calendar. Notice that I am showing a much conservative picture of her in the left but that's because c'mon guys! She's my cousin :). I am definitely proud of my cous. By the way she's also a member of a famous local dance group in the Bay Area called Fusion. For more info check her out and the rest of the girls at: http://www.nba.com/warriors/dance/Warrior_Girl_Index.html
"Genesis" is my first solo album. My niece decided to bake me a cake (thanks Chrisia!). November 9, 2008 which was my album's release date was also my wife's b-day. Coincidence? I don't think so. I decided to release the album the same day as my wife's b-day because she is the reason why I made the album. She was my inspiration. I hope that this music inspires you as well. The cake was delicious!
What's up everyone! I just wanted to share this original song that I wrote for my special someone..."Home" is truly where the heart is. I wrote this song not too long ago. The song talks about my favorite place in the world, that is, the island of Maui. This is truly a place where you can leave your worries behind and a place where my wife and I can grow old together...I put the lyrics so feel free to sing along... 'til next vid!
Thank you Dj Marlino of HeavyRotationShow! My song "It's all about you (acoustic version)" was featured on this 1 hour podcast show...San Dizzy's finest! Check out this never before released acoustic version...
HEAVY ROTATION FRESH FIRST - J-RICZ Heavy Rotation's Fresh First featuring Heavy Rotation artist J-Ricz is now available for download or streaming online...go to www.heavyrotationshow.com
My producer and I decided to make this video giving a tribute to the R&B classic songs of Jodeci, Babyface, Lauryn Hill, and an OPM Hit song. Unfortunately, we didn't know who sang that filipino song...any idea who sang this hit? hmmm...
Frankie Gatdula of (ASC) Adobo Street Connection posted a video blog of my album "Genesis"...Thanks Frankie! He made the video at 2ish in the morning! Check out his other vids at www.myspace.com/adobostreetconnection Frankie Gatdula vBlog (10/23/08)
Its no secret what and where the economic status of the Philippines is today. In 2007, 65 million Filipinos or 80% of the population are struggling to survive on the equivalent of US$ 2/ day. Majority of children in the Philippines are raised without essential needs for survival; such as food, clothes, and a future outside of economic deficiency. The Philippine is in need. How can we make a difference…
For every CD sold, J-ricz will be donating part of the proceeds to “Shirt the Kids” charity campaign sponsored by www.pnoyapparel.com benefiting the underprivileged children in the Philippines. Buy the CD or download the Mp3s at www.cdbaby.com/cd/jricz2
From the album GENESIS available online November 9, 2008...For more info go to www.myspace.com/jricz www.jricz.com www.youtube.com/jriczproduction
I wrote this song as a reminder that God is always within us despite all the challenges in life and if we put our trust in Him, anything is possible.
For every album sold, part of the proceeds will benefit "Shirt the Kids" Charity Campaign brought to you by www.pnoyapparel.com
Hear My Prayer -written by C.Ricafort
Verse Sometimes I ask myself oh Lord Where do I belong and what can I do to make my life better Sometimes temptations follow me but I know I must never give in Youll take me there through hopes and despair Keep me safe from harm
Chorus I know you'll be there When the worse of life comes falling down on me I know you'll be there To wipe away these tears that burden me I know you'll be there to love me father I know you'll be there to comfort me I know you'll be there to hear my prayer
Verse Sometimes I feel like I'm alone no one to turn to no can hear my pain my voice Sometimes I ain't so sure what to do this gift that you blessed me with Am I destined for for so much more Which road my Lord shall I take
Bridge Through the lowest points of my life Through despair you keep me alive Through my dreams that I will share the world in time Everyday He is my King Lord I know You'll be there
This song is dedicated to my grandmother. Thank you for taking care of me. You will always be remembered.
As they say, "Love your work and you will never work a day in your life." First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for making a difference in my life. Each and everyone of you have helped me become the person I am today. Most of you know me as a son, a brother, a friend, an uncle, a cousin, a nephew, a colleague, and now a family man. There is also a side of me that I have been very passionate about eversince I can remember... that is my love for music. All my life I have always wondered what it would be like to "make it big" in the music industry and what it would be like to have that "fame" and live the "glamourous" lifestyle. In 2000, I decided to partake in a singing group called "Next Phaze," which was a five member band with similar dreams and passion for music. I am very fortunate to have formed a strong brotherhood with these equally talented men. In 2005, as a group we decided to pack up and leave San Francisco to pursue our music career in Los Angeles. For a while, I thought it would never end and I thought I would be singing right next to these guys for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, things did not work out the way we planned it. After the difficult and dismal decision to end our journey as a singing group, my friends decided to go back home to San Francisco to follow their own goals. While I decided to stay in the busy, strenous, heavily congested city of Los Angeles. Within a year, many changes transpired in my life. I got married to the most beautiful, loving, and supportive wife, and I got a successful decent job as a dental hygienist. But I soon realized that my life without music is unimaginable. So I was faced with the decision of whether I should pursue music as a solo artist or just live the rest of my life not knowing what if I tried harder. But this time around, I realized that I love music but do not need all the fame, fortune, glamour, and groupies (a lot of musicians love groupies!). I just want to be able to write music and share it to everyone. So for the next two years, that is exactly what I did. I wrote songs, recorded them, and thought about music every minute of the day. While at the same time balancing my responsibilities as a wonderful husband, a son, a brother, and a friend. After endless road trips back and forth from Los Angeles to San Francisco to record songs, sleepless nights thinking about the perfect lyrics, and numerous phonecalls, emails, and text messages to my team of producers, manager, web designers, promoters, etc., I found myself burnt out but feeling full gratification from all the hard work. This is who I am. Music is part of my life just as each one of you are part of it. So, I collected the all songs I wrote from this new journey and made an album. I called it "Genesis." It marks new and great beginnings and hopeful future. It is my way of saying thank you to all of you and to God for finally giving me my purpose in this world, which is to write and create music to inspire others.
With that said, I am emailing all of you to let you know about my debut album "Genesis" which is going to be released in Nov. 9, 2008. But would like to offer everyone an opportunity to hear my album before it is released to the public. The album will selling for $11.99 on the day of its release but if everyone pre-orders, it will only cost $10 with shipping/handling already included. And just to let everyone know, part of the proceeds of the album will benefit the underprivileged children in the Philippines. I am partnering up with "Shirt the kids" Charity Campaign who is sponsored by http://www.pnoyapparel.com/ who is trying to raise a fund for struggling families in the Philippines to help provide essential needs for their children. It is a great way to give back to the community which is very important to me and my wife. Once again, thank you all for your love and support. If you are interested, JUST CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO PRE-ORDER. If you guys have any questions, call me at (650) 278-6492 and leave a message.
Okay I'll stop writing and pouring myself out to you guys because I might I make myself cry. Thank you all again and God Bless!
Yours truly,
Carlo "J-ricz" Ricafort
Just copy and paste the following link to your browser:
A few nights ago my wife and I went to Blockbuster and rented "Dan in Real Life" for our regular movie night. I never really heard about this movie before except for a few commercials and that big billboard on the way to downtown Los Angeles. Although I've definitely heard of Steve Carrell... that hilarious guy from the movie 40 yr. old virgin. What came unexpected was that we thought this was another corny romantic comedy with cheap jokes but it turned out to be laugh-out-loud funny with a bit of tear jerkers (it was my wife who cried most of the time, I swear!). I recommend this movie not only because of its quick laughs and wit but also because of its message about how life is full of surprises... pleasant or awful. It also reminded me of the imporant things in life... your family and your true love. I leave you with the best quote from the movie (it kinda reminded me of how my life is as an independent artist):
"Life plans, how we all make them and how we hope that our kids make good, smart, safe plans of their own. But if we’re really honest with ourselves, most of the time our plans don’t work out, as we’d hope. So instead of asking our young people “what are your plans? What do you plan to do with your life?” Maybe we should tell them this: plan to be surprised."
It's 2:05 am early Monday morning and I just got back from the Sin City... Las Vegas baby! I played Black Jack and Roulette for the first time and lost 80 bucks instantly. I guess gambling is all about the thrill and experience. After that I went back to my usual nickel slot machines... at least it takes a while for my money to disappear. And I did what most people do in Vegas... eat buffet and drink. My favorite drink is the 190 octane with an extra shot of everclear. If you haven't tried it, you should. Felt a little fat when I came home so I headed straight to the gym for a 30 min. run on the treadmill. Now I gotta get some rest for snowboarding tomorrow morning. Going to Mountain High for some sessions. Will post pictures soon! signing off...
What's up! J-ricz here. I attended the very first Filipino Visionary Awards held last March 7, 2008 at the famous Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. That's where they held Oscars so I was pretty honored to be invited. The best part of the evening was that I walked the red carpet! wohoo! Of course there were lots of paparazzi and I pretty much smiled the entire evening (face was hella sore the next day). Lots of celebs in there as well. I got to meet Brian Mcknight (hella tall dude), WWE star Dave Batista, Black Eyed Peas' very own Apl.de.Ap, international artists Martin Nievera, Dolphy and many more. Here are the links from these two photographers who took photos of the very historical evening:
Pas’sion; defined as a strong and dedicated feeling personified by actions.
In one word, Passion is the driving force which enables Carlo I. Ricafort to pursue his life long goal of sharing his talent for music. Recognized by his loyal fans as “J-Ricz”, he has developed the skills that embody all successful musicians. Every “J-Ricz” performance ensures quality and his trademark energy, composed of both exuberance and vivacity to guarantee a performance that everyone is sure to enjoy. As a Ballad and R&B artist his talents in music composition, vocal range, acting, and dance technique, differentiate him from other performers. Post-High school graduation, J-Ricz formed a group comprised of four other members, notoriously known in the Bay Area as “Next Phaze”.
In 2003 the group introduced an EP album that redefined the foundation that created the original sounds and style of Next Phaze. Three years later their endless efforts paid off by releasing their first full-length album, Back to the Mic. After 6 years of a life-lasting brotherhood, the legacy of Next Phaze remains constant to their fans. As J-Ricz begins his journey as a soloist he is commended on his contribution to the music community. His strengths lie in the capacity to innovate and encourage those around him. It is clear to see that J-Ricz is full of heart and soul. He is a self-empowered individual that seeks the comfort of music as an outlet in life.
J-Ricz believes, “It’s the passion for music and the drive to inspire others that really matter in the end”.
Genesis debut album available online Nov. 2008. Featuring hit singles "My Everything,""Do For You," & "When you're in Love."
