J. Rey Soul

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J. Rey Soul
Reynoso in 2018
Background information
Birth nameJessica Joy Seria Reynoso
Born (1997-10-07) October 7, 1997 (age 26)
San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines
GenresPop
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2007–2009
2013–present
Member ofBlack Eyed Peas
Alma materPATTS College of Aeronautics (BSBA)

Jessica Joy Seria Reynoso[1] (born October 7, 1997), known professionally as J. Rey Soul, is a Filipino-American singer known for participating in the first season of The Voice of the Philippines and collaborating and touring with the Black Eyed Peas since 2018.[2][3][4]

Starting her musical career at an early age, she appeared on the first season of The Voice of the Philippines and joined coach apl.de.ap's team, becoming a finalist in the show.[5] After a couple of released singles and a collaboration with apl.de.ap, Reynoso joined the Black Eyed Peas as a semi-official member, replacing Fergie as their singer in 2018.[6][7]

Early life and career[edit]

Reynoso was born on October 7, 1997, in San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines to an African-American father and a Filipino mother. She grew up in the Philippines with her adoptive parents, never meeting her biological father, and was exposed to music at a young age.[8] According to Reynoso, she was able to sing the Whitney Houston song "The Greatest Love of All" in front of her family at age 5.[9] In 2007, she joined the competition show Popstar Kids at age 10.[10] In a later interview, she says that she didn't get much attention due to her skin color. She completed her contract with the GMA Network, the network who produced the show, in 2012. She attended PATTS College of Aeronautics taking Air Freight Operations, which she graduated from in 2015.[11]

Musical career[edit]

On July 21, 2013, Reynoso auditioned for the first season of The Voice of the Philippines, singing the Alicia Keys song "Fallin'". Coaches Lea Salonga and apl.de.ap tried to get her on their respective teams, with Reynoso choosing Team Apl for the competition.[12] In the fourth live-show episode of the show, Reynoso was put against Janice Javier, with Reynoso losing to Javier when the scores of the coaches and the audience was added up.[13] In 2014, Reynoso was signed to apl.de.ap's label, BMBX.[11]

In 2018, Reynoso (now going under her stage name J. Rey Soul) collaborated with apl.de.ap's group Black Eyed Peas on their album Masters of the Sun Vol. 1, after previous singer Fergie departed from the group.[14] She had been inducted into the group as a "semi-official" member who would collaborate and tour with them.[15] In 2020, she collaborated with them again alongside rapper Ozuna with the song "Mamacita".[16][17] She was then involved with their albums Translation (2020) and Elevation (2022).[18]

In 2021, she signed with Epic Records and released the single "Pull Up" with will.i.am featuring Nile Rodgers, which was used for the Mercedes-Benz AMG campaign.[19][20] That same year, she sang the national anthem of the Philippines at the professional boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Yordenis Ugás.[21]

Discography[edit]

As lead artist[edit]

Title Year Label
"Just Like You" 2014 BMBX Entertainment
"Sing Along"
"Crazy 'Bout U"
(featuring apl.de.ap) 		2015
"Pull Up"
(with will.i.am featuring Nile Rodgers) 		2021 Epic Records
"Holla" 2024
"It's Saturday"
(featuring DJ Yousef and will.i.am)

Collaborations[edit]

Title Year Label
"Mamacita"
(Black Eyed Peas with Ozuna and J Rey Soul) 		2020 will.i.am/Epic Records
"Tonta Love"
(Black Eyed Peas with J.Rey Soul)
"Double D'z"
(Black Eyed Peas with J.Rey Soul) 		2022
"Guarantee"
(Black Eyed Peas featuring J.Rey Soul)
"Filipina Queen"
(Black Eyed Peas with J.Rey Soul)

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Here Comes Jessica – JR!". InqPOP. August 8, 214.
  2. ^ Runnells, Riley (August 31, 2020). "Who Replaced Fergie in the Black Eyed Peas?". Paper.
  3. ^ "Meet J. Rey Soul, The Black Eyed Peas' New Member". Billboard. May 19, 2020.
  4. ^ Travis, Abi (June 24, 2020). "Meet J. Rey Soul, the Black Eyed Peas' New Singer". Distractify.
  5. ^ "Where's Fergie? Jessica of 'Voice PH' joins Black Eyed Peas in new music video". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. May 30, 2018.
  6. ^ Panos, Peter (September 9, 2020). "MAMACITA: J REY SOUL IS THE NEW LEADING LADY". Contrast Magazine.
  7. ^ Haylock, Zoe (August 30, 2020). "Who Is the New Woman in the Black Eyed Peas?". Vulture.
  8. ^ "Apl, Bamboo complete teams in 'Voice PH'". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. July 22, 2013.
  9. ^ "7 Things to Know About Jessica Reynoso". DWNU. January 14, 2016.
  10. ^ "Jessica Reynoso". DWNU. July 8, 2016.
  11. ^ a b Delacruz, Leris (August 19, 2014). "The Voice PH finalist Jessica Reynoso signs up with record label of Apl de Ap". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
  12. ^ "Jessica Reynoso: The Voice PH Audition Video (July 21)". PhilNews. July 22, 2013.
  13. ^ "[Voice PHL] Goodbye, everybody, they've got to go". Rappler. September 16, 2013.
  14. ^ Malone, Chris. "Black Eyed Peas Go Global With 'Translation' Album". Forbes. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  15. ^ "One To Watch: J.Rey Soul, Lead Singer Of The Black Eyed Peas". Vogue. October 21, 2022.
  16. ^ "Black Eyed Peas officially reveals Jessica Reynoso in 'Mamacita'". Panay News. April 20, 2020.
  17. ^ Shaffer, Claire (April 10, 2020). "Black Eyed Peas, Ozuna, J. Rey Soul Band Together in Stylish 'Mamacita'". Rolling Stone.
  18. ^ Méndez, Chris Malone (November 11, 2022). "Black Eyed Peas Release Their Ninth Album 'Elevation'". Forbes.
  19. ^ "J. Rey Soul releases debut single 'Pull Up' with Will.I.Am". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. September 13, 2021.
  20. ^ Iahn, Buddy (September 10, 2021). "J Rey Soul releases debut single with will.i.am & Nile Rodgers". The Music Universe.
  21. ^ Villanueva, Brooke (August 23, 2021). "Meet J. Rey Soul—the Fil-Am rapper who sang the Philippine national anthem at the Pacquiao vs Ugas fight". PhilSTAR Life.
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