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#MusicExchange: Jarrad Ricketts releases new single
30 Jun 2020
Jarrad Ricketts has won over the hearts of South Africans since the release of his Sama-nominated debut album Break The Rules. Today, he brings a message of hope with his first gospel single entitled "You Are Lord".
After more than six weeks of lockdown, where fear and anxiety has crept into everyone’s lives, Jarrad Ricketts is using the power of music to restore faith in hearts and homes across the nation with his debut gospel offering “You Are Lord”.
What started as Ricketts’s midnight prayer, became the inspiration that would see him piece together a melodic message of encouragement and hope in a time when it is truly needed most.
I caught up with him last week.
The new decade means:
A fresh perspective, new opportunity, rewriting the script.
Fame is about:
People connecting with your work, recognising your light and celebrating it.
Retirement will happen when:
Purpose is fulfilled.
I don't do:
Negativity or limitation
What does music mean to you?
Expression, a medium to express thought or disposition - a tangible extension of the mind.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?
Using my creativity to uplift and inspire people.
Any funny moments on stage?
Writing lyrics of a song on my hand because I was too nervous to remember it, but my palms became so sweaty the ink smudged and ended up making up the lyrics as I went along.
Which living person do you admire most and why?
Pharrell Williams, I love how he is able to seamlessly exist between art, fashion and music.
What is your most treasured possession?
My second-hand brown batwing patched ‘80s leather jacket.
What makes you stand out?
My personal style and passion for community work.
Nicknames:
JR, Mr J, Soft Bones (because of my last name lol!).
If you were not a musician, what would you do?
I’d be a fashion designer or product developer.
Pick five words to describe yourself:
Bold, passionate, fresh, dynamic, professional.
Favourite SA artists of all time?
Mandoza, TKZee, Boom Shaka, Bongo Maffin, Johnny Clegg, Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, Black Coffee.
Who do you love?
Open-minded people.
What is your favourite word?
Polychromatic.
Give us some real proper slang and what it means:
Map ’n Baard, it means to share.
Top of your bucket list:
To do a world tour.
Your greatest achievement:
Having my debut album Break The Rules get nominated for a South African Music Award.
What do you complain about most often?
Not having enough time in one day.
What is your fear?
Not reaching my full potential.
Happiness is:
Feeling fulfilled.
On stage, I tend to:
Completely changing the show I had planned, I tend to follow my gut.
The best life lesson you have been taught:
Treat everyone with equal respect, your next big break may come from an unexpected source.
Where would you like to be right now?
In a log cabin next to a fireplace, in some Scandinavian country.
Do you do charity work and, if you do, what do you do?
I launched the Jarrad Ricketts Foundation, and I have been doing food drives to feed the communities on the Cape Flats. I have also been visiting schools for four years doing motivational talks and career exhibitions for free. It's important, to me, that I use my platform to create positive change.
Wishes and dreams:
I would like to record a gospel album, launch my fashion label, have my own art exhibition, develop brand extensions and see how far I can push my creativity.
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