It’s hard to catch up with AJ Rafael nowadays, but we managed to a couple of weeks ago. Back from his first gig in Australia, this singer-songwriter, invited us over to his Moreno Valley, CA home to preview his choir’s performance set for the charity competition, Music Speaks 2010. We were met with a flurry of activity upon arrival. Dance choreography, props & make-up, impromptu jam sessions--attributed to an overall uplifting night-- thanks to the tremendous amount of talent that surrounded us.
But this was expected from Rafael. Last year, BakitWhy.com had a glimpse of the pool of artists and acts (from JR Aquino, Melissa Polinar, to Quest Crew) Rafael could bring together for the first Music Speaks concert. Even an online telethon held at his best friend RB’s home on one given night drew the music community’s best.
That night in Moreno Valley, a number of AJ’s friends joined us, many from childhood, and from recent years. Rafael’s close friend, Jesse Barrera, singer/songwriter/producer from San Diego, CA was also there to join the festivities. He had been visiting Rafael all week to produce Rafael’s upcoming album, and he elaborated on their dynamic friendship; “We just had a connection. The first time we ever met in person, we recorded 'She Was Mine' that very day…”
That collaboration has been deemed a special treat for their fans as well as for themselves as they’ve only had a couple of opportunities to exclusively perform it together throughout the nation--from Rutgers, New Jersey to San Diego, California.
It was quite evident that night, that not only was this undertaking, Music Speaks, and this progression of an influential artist, regarded as community efforts, but notably, they have been at the helm of a passionate and resourceful leader. As much as he is openly willing to support and encourage his family and friends’ pursuits in music, dance, and media--through active engagement and collaborations, Rafael has a strong and reliable foundation of support from this all-star cast. And through the years he has nurtured these relationships, he has gradually extended his reach to the thousands strong across the world through his YouTube & Myspace channels, and undoubtedly, his music. Most importantly, through his charity focused work, he has gained even more supporters, and has aligned his name with the cause for Autism Awareness.
With his magnetic personality, he continues to draw a huge following. This wasn’t physically evident until we experienced it for ourselves in San Diego, CA, at a local Pilipino American Festival. A last minute addition to the performance list to replace 2 headliners, Rafael, graciously stepped in. In a remarkable display of his popularity and much to our own wonderment and awe, Rafael was literally mobbed the entire day by supporters and fans who asked for his autograph on some of their most prized possessions, and for photographs, which we’re sure, made its way on Twitter and Facebook walls as soon as the photo had been taken.
Performing on the keyboard, the crowd sang along with him and cheered throughout his entire set. What was most endearing, though, were the fans’ touching words and displays of gratitude towards their musical inspiration.
Rafael, although a huge crowd-drawer for the YouTube generation—stateside and abroad, with his savvy and dominating presence on the social media market, still really hasn’t made it—mainstream, that is. Many of his industry friends see that it is inevitable. “He’ll be the one to pave the way for us,” Barrera remarks. Christina Luna, the Pilipino-American community’s go-to artist manager, echoes Barrera’s sentiments: “He’s got a good sense of who he is as a person and as an artist, and that’s important, as he sets himself apart from all the rest.”
AJ Rafael has just recently returned from a show in Austria, and he now embarks on the next chapter of his very personal mission of Autism Awareness. In many respects, he is already where he needs to be. Just being that shining light, that inspiration for the young legion of aspiring artists and musicians he has already set his place amongst the leading singer/songwriters of his time, one of the pioneers of this generation of artists who have built their music empires from their homes, their bedrooms, on their own dime, and from sheer talent.
In sharing his love and his gift of music, he chooses to honor others in their own pursuit of their dreams. Music Speaks 2010 will be a testament to this, and we at BakitWhy.com commend him and wish him all the best tonight.
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