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.
A fresh perspective, new opportunity, rewriting the script.
People connecting with your work, recognising your light and celebrating it.
Purpose is fulfilled.
Negativity or limitation
Expression, a medium to express thought or disposition - a tangible extension of the mind.
Using my creativity to uplift and inspire people.
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.
Pharrell Williams, I love how he is able to seamlessly exist between art, fashion and music.
My second-hand brown batwing patched ‘80s leather jacket.
My personal style and passion for community work.
JR, Mr J, Soft Bones (because of my last name lol!).
I’d be a fashion designer or product developer.
Bold, passionate, fresh, dynamic, professional.
Mandoza, TKZee, Boom Shaka, Bongo Maffin, Johnny Clegg, Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, Black Coffee.
Open-minded people.
Polychromatic.
Map ’n Baard, it means to share.
To do a world tour.
Having my debut album Break The Rules get nominated for a South African Music Award.
Not having enough time in one day.
Not reaching my full potential.
Feeling fulfilled.
Completely changing the show I had planned, I tend to follow my gut.
Treat everyone with equal respect, your next big break may come from an unexpected source.
In a log cabin next to a fireplace, in some Scandinavian country.
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.
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.
