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The inspiration behind the song Selena?


Selena Quintanilla-Pérez , known mononymously as Selena, was an American Tejano singer. Referred to as the “Queen of Tejano Music", her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century. In 2020, Billboard magazine put her in third place on their list of "Greatest Latino Artists of All Time", based on both Latin albums and Latin songs chart. Media outlets called her the "Tejano Madonna" for her clothing choices. She also ranks among the most influential Latin artists of all time and is credited for catapulting the Tejano genre into the mainstream market. Selena released Entre a Mi Mundo (1992), which peaked at number one on the US Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart for eight consecutive months. The album's commercial success led music critics to call it the "breakthrough" recording of her musical career. One of its singles, "Como la Flor", became one of her most popular signature songs. Live! (1993) won Best Mexican/American Album at the 1994 Grammy Awards, becoming the first recording by a female Tejano artist to do so. In 1994, she released Amor Prohibido, which became one of the best-selling Latin albums in the United States. It was critically acclaimed as being responsible for Tejano music's first marketable era as it became one of the most popular Latin music subgenres at the time. Selena has sold around 18 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female artist in Latin music. Selena was shot and killed on March 31, 1995, by her friend and the former manager of her Selena etc. boutiques. FROM THE FIRST INCEPTION OF "SELENA" (which came to me in a dream) to the final product that involved a collaborative effort between Masa Takumi, Ryoji Hata, Naoki Tate, Hideki Kodera, and Dave Stringer. We all crafted a really cool track together. I’m honored to pay tribute to one my favorite artist Selena Quintanilla Perez. In other words, this one’s for Selena!  The song “Selena” is a tribute song to honor her life and legacy. As the song says “This one is for Selena”.  Creative Consultants: Ricky Persaud, Sr. & Valerie Persaud Label: Mystiqson Records & Publishing, LLC & Persaud Entertainment, LLC 

Meet The Team

Ricky Persaud, Jr.

Artist, Songwriter


Masa Takumi

Producer


Dave Stringer 

Co Producer, vocal arrangements 


Ryoji Hata

Mastering Engineer


Hideki Kodera 

Mixing 


Naoki Tate

featured musician


     Creative Consultants 

Ricky Persaud, Jr. 

 

Valerie Persaud 

 

Ricky performed "Selena" pt 2 at The Cutting Room in NYC. 

 

More info on Ricky Persaud, Jr.

Ricky Persaud, Jr. made his Carnegie Hall Debut on April 25th, 2022

                 Mission Statement

My goal as an artist is to bring socially conscious music back into the forefront of the music industry. As an African American/Asian American business entrepreneur that has been in the music industry since the age of 15; I have been breaking the norms of what someone might consider to be a Global artist. With my global sound plus elements of Rock, Caribbean, Latin, Funk, Pop, and Hip Hop; I seek to make the world a better place with the power of my music. 

Ricky Persaud, Jr. attended Berklee College on a four year scholarship and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor Of Music in Professional Music from Berklee College Of Music. 



Press Releases From The Past

July, 2021 – A child prodigy who has developed into a world class musician, Ricky Persaud Jr – award winning songwriter, singer and instrumentalist – is back with THE ENLIGHTENMENT, his latest release on Mystiqson Records & Publishing, LLC. Showcasing Ricky’s innate musicality [he plays all the instruments, has co-written all the songs and produced it], the album features 10 tracks that cover topics ranging from life in lock down to trying to lead with kindness. Tinged with a Caribbean feel, this record is a melodic tour-de-force from an ever-evolving talent.

It isn’t every day you hear a pop song about the Covid lock down that features steel drums, but you’ll find it on THE ENLIGHTENMENT. The track “Freedom,” about living through the pandemic while yearning to get back to ‘normal,’ pops with life while Ricky sings that he’s “been feeling down, so underground,” a universal statement about the year. The title track harkens back to the 80s musically, but the lyrics, reflecting hope through darkness, couldn’t be timelier. “Train Never Stops,” a fiery jam about having the confidence to shut out negative people is a stomper and the Santana-esque guitar on “Where’s the Love” compliments the lyric about lack of human kindness. Says Persaud, "With all the negativity that's been going around in regards to the pandemic and police brutality, I wanted to make a project that will not only inspire positive change, but resonate with people from all walks of life.

Critics and music tastemakers are paying attention to THE ENLIGHTENMENT, with Ricky winning a Global Music Award for the song “Cease Fire,” as well as two nominations from the Indie Music Channel Awards: Best Alternative Artist for the song “Where’s the Love” and another for Best Alternative Song for “Paradise.”

The album title was chosen because it’s Ricky’s goal to enlighten himself - and listeners - through his music. “I had this willingness to carry on during these unprecedented times that added another dimension to my music that I’ve never explored before.” What he has achieved with THE ENLIGHTENMENT is an amazing musical journey that shines with optimism, hope for change, and a belief that people can do better.

TRACK LISTING

Euohoria
Butterfly Mansion
Train Never Stops
The Caribbean
The Enlightenment
Where's The Love
Cease Fire
Freedom
Paradise
The Rebirth

Follow Ricky On Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickypersaudjr/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rickypersaudjr?lang=en The Rebirth

Website: Rickypersaudjrfyc.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rickypersaudjr/? ref=bookmarks

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/ 2P3m39TVTOC9IipRkKsYxG

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M.Y.O.B. Press Release 2020

MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST RICKY PERSAUD JR BACK WITH NEW ALBUM

Follow up to 2019 EPs Pursuit of Happiness and Apocalypse First single “M.Y.O.B.” out now

June 26, 2020 - Triple threat Ricky Persaud Jr. – singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist– is back with amazing new music off his forthcoming album, M.Y.O.B. (Mystiqson Records). A melodic tour-de- force, the release has several new tracks he can’t wait to debut for fans.

Since he began recording music at age 15, Ricky has played every instrument on all of his releases, produced the albums, and written, or co-written, all of the songs; M.Y.O.B. is no exception. He plays guitar, bass, percussion and piano and put his typical enthusiasm in to arranging and performing them. While his band, Ricky Persaud Jr and Crossroads, are unable to perform live at the moment, Ricky is putting together some social media performances that will only confirm that this musical prodigy remains a virtuoso.

First single “M.Y.O.B.” is a righteous anthem that encourages embracing your own individuality. “This track is for all the non- believers,” says Ricky. “I am going to do the best I can, always, and don’t want anyone’s negativity to bring me down. I hope this song reaches people who are going through something similar and they find strength in the words.”

“NGU” (Never Giving Up),” an intensely vivid song that builds like a slow burning fire, deals with depression. “My outlet has always been music. There’s a lyric that says “Sadness can drive someone to madness, but I use it for my canvas to get out of this haze.” I used my frustration and put it toward something I love – music – and it helps me work through whatever is bringing me down.”

Another stand-out, “Love is Just A Game,” specifically talks about being in a bad relationship, acknowledging what has happened, accepting it, and moving on. It also shows off Ricky’s powerful guitar prowess with a riff that will have you pushing “repeat” over and over.

Ricky’s many well-earned honors include a full four- year scholarship to the prestigious Berklee School of Music, a 2016 Governor's Award for Excellence in Music, the Artist of The Year in Pop at the 2019 Josie Music Independent Awards, a 2020 Global Music Award and a 2020 Indie Music Channel Award for Best Male Pop Artist.

While M.Y.O.B. is sure to open many more doors for Ricky, his goal has always been to reach as many people as possible with his music, something he has been successfully achieving since he was a boy. Utilizing his talent to share his personal experiences, and connect his audience with his message of positivity, Ricky Persaud Jr. is one of the most talented ‘new’ musicians of 2020. 


Press & Interviews 

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Ricky Persaud, Jr. who is a voting member of the Recording Academy attended the 64th Grammy®. Awards ceremony in Las Vegas in 2022.



Ricky attended the 65th Grammy®. Awards ceremony in Los Angeles 

BIO

When listening to multi-instrumentalist Ricky Persaud Jr, you’re treated to an unbelievable range of sound and passion that is both simple and sophisticated all at once. Just when you think you’ve got him figured out, another track pulls him out of any pigeon hole you might have put him in. Is he Rock? Reggae? Pop? Funk? Check ‘em all. Persaud’s knowledge of music belies his years.

Growing up in New Jersey, Persaud was always surrounded by music. His father, Ricky Sr, engineered albums early in his working career and passed his love of music along to his two sons. His mother, who was always musical but denied lessons as a girl, promised herself that her children would be able to learn any instrument they wanted. At age 4, Ricky began to play percussion and was accepted to the Newark School of the Arts to study drums. However, it wasn’t until he was 9 that he grabbed a guitar and instinctively knew what to play. “I just picked up a family guitar and started to play, having never taken a lesson. That day it all clicked for me; I knew I had found a way to express myself.” Aiding in the journey was an early musical lesson courtesy of The Beatles. “The Beatles taught me that you can make incredible music within the pop realm and also be socially conscious lyrically at the same time.”

All Ricky wanted to do was focus on music. He took both guitar and bass lessons (along with drums), and discovered Billy Joel, which led to his interest in harmonica and keyboards. Every weekend was spent playing and learning about music. On Saturdays, Ricky was part of NJPAC Jazz for Teens, where he was chosen as a George Wein Scholar, comprised of only the most gifted high school musicians from New Jersey. On Sundays he attended the NAACP’s ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) program. Developed to encourage high academic and cultural achievement among students, Ricky gold-medaled in many music competitions throughout his years of participation. In addition to the Newark School of the Arts, Ricky enrolled in the acclaimed Mark Murphy School of Music, where he continued to study. Summers were spent at the Grammy Camp in New York, which had a rigorous audition process.

Songwriting came when Ricky’s mother encouraged him to write down his feelings during a bullying episode in middle school, and those writings turned in to his first set of lyrics. “Doing that was really encouraging, and it helped me to work through my feelings. It was around this time that I realized the power music had and how it can reach, and soothe, so many people.”

By age 14, Ricky put together a band, Ricky Persaud Jr and Crossroads, which featured not only his brother Nicholas on bass, but his mother Valerie on percussion. The group, who still tour, is rounded out by different musicians at varied times, and they’ve become a live staple around New Jersey.

As Ricky grew as a musician, with a following to match, he began to release albums, starting with 2015’s Welcome to my World at age 15, followed by Optimistic Bliss (2017), Time Is Up (2018) and the EPs Pursuit of Happiness and Apocalypse, both released in 2019. Ricky also release M.Y.O.B in 2020 and The Enlightenment in 2021. In 2022 Ricky released Goodbye Crossroads and has always played every instrument on all of his records, produced them, and written, or co-written, all of the songs. His last four releases, came out on his new label, Mystiqson Records & Publishing, LLC.

If you’ve seen Ricky play live, you may understand why some people could be envious. He is, by all accounts, a musical virtuoso. Yes, he works hard, but his playing is intuitive. Music flows from Ricky’s fingers and through whichever instrument he’s playing. “I give it my all on stage and love seeing people’s reactions. Performing is one of my favorite things to do because I love how spontaneous it can be. I think it’s beautiful when music isn’t exactly like the recording and you discover something new.”

Ricky’s many accolades include a full four-year scholarship to the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, a 2016 Governor's Award for Excellence in Music, Artist of The Year in Pop for 2019 & 2020, Musician Of The Year 2021 and Album Of The Year In Pop 2022 at the Josie Music Awards, a 2020 Global Music Award. He is a voting member of the Recording Academy,  was a singer in Cissy Houston’s much-admired regional choir, and had the opportunity to work with Christian McBride, Ray Chew and Savion Glover, who took in Ricky and his clear talent and drive, through the NJPAC program.

Awards & Nominations


Best Rock Artist 
Best Rock Song, "Equality"

Indie Music Channel Awards, 2022


MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR: GUITAR, 2021
JOSIE MUSIC AWARDS




ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Pop/Contemporary 2020 & 2021
Josie Music Awards


ARTIST OF THE YEAR-POP

Josie Music Awards, 2019

BEST MALE POP ARTIST

Indie Music Channel, 2020

Ricky Shouts Down Drugs

Ricky wins an award for his song to deter teens from using drugs. 

NAACP
Act-So Awards 
Gold Medals in: 

*Vocal Performance

*Instrumental/
Contemporary

*Music Composition

New Jersey's Governors Award

Excellence In Music

Four Year Scholarship

Berklee College Of Music 
Boston, Massachusetts

Music Video 

Sorry Not Sorry
Remember, September is Suicide Prevention Month. If you or someone you know needs help call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline @ 1800-273-8255

Music Video 
We're Gonna Get Through This

Music Video 
Game Start

Music Video
Love Is Just A Game

PAST PROJECTS 

M.Y.O.B.




The Apocalypse

Itunes
Spotify


Pursuit Of Happiness

Itunes
Spotify

Music Produced By Ricky Persaud, Jr. 

 Gallery

Ricky with Savion Glover after Ricky performed in Savion's play at NJPAC.

Ricky with Cissy Houston after performing with her choir.

Ricky being interviewed by Vinnie from Naughty By Nature after his performance with his band.

Ricky with Mary Brown. Mary wrote the song "No, No, No" for Destiny's Child

Ricky with Sawyer Fredericks who won "The Voice" in season 8.

Ricky with Ethan Bortnick after the taping of Ethan's national tv show. 

Ricky with Gloria Carter, Jay Z's mom, after his performance.

Ricky with Ray Chew and Christian McBride. 

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