Priceless was recorded in part in Houston’s famed 7303
studios where Frankie J collaborated with a who’s-who of hip-hop and
urban writer/producers including Mannie Fresh (Juvenile, Big Tymers,
Lil Wayne, Teena Marie), red-hot rapper Chamillionaire and his
producers Play-N-Skillz (“Ridin’”). Frankie’s Priceless magic comes alive on tracks like the album’s first single, That Girl, a smashing club track that shows Frankie’s range extends beyond crooning hot ballads. That Girl
(produced by Mannie Fresh and featuring Chamillionaire) is currently
burning up the nation’s charts as one of the most added singles on
radio across the country. “Everyone knows me as this balladeer guy,”
Frankie admits, “but now I can dance to my own song. It’s an intro to a
whole new world for me.”
Among Frankie J’s other partners on Priceless are Bryan Michael Cox and Adonis Stropshire (Jermaine Dupri, Jagged Edge, Chris Brown); and writer/producer Happy Perez (Priceless, Suga Suga and Obsession) on a pair of Frankie J-penned ballads (Still and Daddy’s Little Girl). If He Can’t Be
– written by Ryan Tedder (Missy Elliott, Timbaland) and produced by
Mike Caran (Trick Daddy) — even features a sample of Billy Idol’s
“Eyes Without a Face.” Priceless also finds Frankie teaming up with Bone Thugs & Harmony and Slim from 112.
“I’m the type of guy who likes to collaborate with people in the
studio,” Frankie J explains. “I love writing. That’s my number one
thing. I always have to be involved with what the song is about because
I’m the one who’s going to be singing it. But I’m real open when it
comes to ideas. I always like to strive for difference in the direction
of my music. Things you don’t hear on the radio. It gives the album a
unique vibe, it spices everything up. I definitely didn’t want to do
what everybody else is doing.”
For instance, Priceless,
the album’s title track, is about “a wealthy guy who realizes he’s done
wrong and tries to win his girl back, knowing he can buy anything he
wantsexcept love, and that he’s willing to spend whatever it takes, but
it’s not enough.”
Other songs, like the self-penned Still and Daddy’s Little Girl,
are autobiographical. “The songs touch the subjects of my life,” says
Frankie. “I always write from my personal experiences, but also what I
believe others will respond to. It’s like a Hollywood movie, which
appeals to a wide audience.”
Although his first solo effort came out just three years ago, Frankie J
is a seasoned performer whose background exposed him to music from both
sides of the border. “There was always a mix of music in my home,” he
recalls. Frankie’s father was the lead singer of a band and his
grandfather played violin in the local church. “My parents were big on
regional Mexican music, like cumbias, rancheras and corridos,” he
explains. “At the same time, my oldest brother used to listen to the
hip-hop joints and R&B of the day, like Full Force, Ready for the
World, New Edition, Run DMC, Kurtis Blow, the Fat Boys and LL Cool J.
And all my uncles were into classic ’50s R&B and soul.”
Born Francisco Javier Bautista in Tijuana and raised in San Diego,
Frankie J began writing songs at the age of 10-11, but didn’t fully
explore his singing talent until he was urged to do so by a high school
classmate. Inspired by his older brother who was part of a
break-dancing crew, Frankie began listening to freestyle acts like Lisa
Lisa, Brenda K. Starr and George Lamond, one of his early vocal
influences.
He was signed to an independent record deal when he was 15, and while
it didn’t make him a star, it did lead him to meeting his current
manager Charlie Chavez while playing shows in Texas. Chavez hooked him
up with Selena’s brother A.B. Quintanilla, as the lead singer for his
group The Kumbia Kings, which prompted his first move to Texas. Leaving
the group in 2003 to pursue a solo career, Frankie J quickly made his
mark with his first Top 10 single Don’t Wanna Try. He went on to chart with a number of other singles including ..1 hits Suga Suga, with Baby Bash in 2003, and 2005′s Obsession (No Es Amor), and a string of Top 10 hits — How To Deal, and More Than Words, and this year’s smash, Pensando En Ti, from his 2006 Spanish language release, Un Nueva Dia.
Frankie J’s last English-language album, 2005′s The One, debuted at ..3
on the Billboard Top 200 and has gone on to achieve RIAA platinum
status.
Throughout his career, Frankie has never lost sight of his Latino
background, even as he crossed over to the English-speaking market with
smash hits like 2005′s platinum-selling The One album. He remains
committed to the integrity of his Latin heritage and his R&B
musical roots on Priceless.
“You have to stick to your roots,” Frankie offers. “You can’t forget
about them. If you forget about your people, they will definitely
forget about you. You have to pay back those who were there when you
started. If I lose that, I won’t be able to do what I’ve always wanted
to do.”
Toward that end, Frankie embarked on a 12-city national tour as part of
McDonald’s Lo McXimo de la Musica concert series, with Luis Fonsi, Nina
Sky, Orishas and Jeannie Ortega. Throughout the tour, Frankie J has
made a personal commitment to support Hispanic higher education through
the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Hispanic American Commitment to
Educational Resources (RMHC/HACER) Scholarship Program.
With the release of Priceless,
Frankie J proves himself to be an artist ready for the challenge of
following up a platinum success. “When you have a record go to ..1 and
it’s everywhere, you have to come with it again,” he says. “My career
has been a slow, gradual build, and I think that’s the best way because
I’m learning how to appreciate all the stuff that comes when you’re
able to make great music. We’re all very proud of this album and are
looking for this to be the biggest yet.”
Now residing in the musical hot bed of Houston, Texas, Frankie is
enjoying his crossover fame. “I’m just having fun with it, having a
great time,” he says. “I go to a restaurant or a mall and people just
want your autograph or to shake your hand. And that’s the best feeling.
I can’t complain. It’s a slow process, but we’re getting there.”
With Priceless,
Frankie J has set out to conquer even more new worlds, both musically
and professionally. Given his track record, don’t bet against him.
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