Gameface (Jay R album)
Encyclopedia
Gameface is the debut studio album
by Filipino
pop
/R&B
singer Jay R, released in the Philippines in August 2003 by Universal Records
. He produced the album together with Ray Brown and Troy Johnson, in partnership with NuLife and his record label. To date, the album has reached Platinum status by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI), denoting over 30,000 units sold in the country.
The album was made available on digital download
through iTunes
and Amazon.com
on January 23, 2007.
with Jay R and is now popularly known as Jimmy Muna). When the other members left the group, he and Muna replaced them with Kris Cadevida (later known as Kris Lawrence after winning ABS-CBN
singing show Search for the Star in a Million
). They did gigs in Los Angeles
, San Francisco, and Michigan
. He, also, became the lead singer with his sister Jhing of another band that was led by his late uncle, Robert Sillona, called The Howlers. Later, his sister Jhing would collaborate with him in creating songs. He started performing gigs all around Southern California
. He also did back-up vocals for major artists, whose albums were released in the United States
, Latin America
, Philippines and other territories. Later, he started co-writing songs with these international artists. He has collaborated with Ray Brown, Troy Johnson, Jason Edmonds, 3am, Steve Singer, Gary Brown
, Triangle Productions, Dutch Cousin, Chuck Cymone and many other talented producers, even before he got the record deal with Universal.
and Mon Faustino. The first concert was so successful, it was immediately followed by another one, entitled Gameface Reload, held at the Folk Arts Theater on September 25, 2004. The second concert featured special guests with big names in the industry, including Regine Velasquez
, Ai Ai de las Alas, Kyla
and Sandara Park
.
, described in terms of his vocal performance on the album. On September 9, 2004, the 17th Awit Awards
was held, wherein he was nominated for three categories (Best Ballad, Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year). He won Best Ballad song, but lost the Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year awards to Parokya ni Edgar
's "Mr. Suave". On the same year, he received two nominations on the MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
(Favorite Male and Favorite New Artist) —where he won Favorite Male, but lost the other award to Bamboo
. He was also named as the Most Promising Male Performer of the year 2004 by Aliw Awards
.
Awards and nominations
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Filipino
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
/R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
singer Jay R, released in the Philippines in August 2003 by Universal Records
Universal Records (Philippines)
Universal Records Philippines Inc. is a Filipino record label founded in 1977 as a part of Warner Music Group. Since 1992, it became independent.-History:URPI was founded in 1977 as WEA Records Philippines Inc...
. He produced the album together with Ray Brown and Troy Johnson, in partnership with NuLife and his record label. To date, the album has reached Platinum status by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI), denoting over 30,000 units sold in the country.
The album was made available on digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
through iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
and Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
on January 23, 2007.
Background
At the age of sixteen, Jay R was already a member of a group called FI (First Impression). The group consisted of five members, including Jimmy Martinez (who came to ManilaManila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
with Jay R and is now popularly known as Jimmy Muna). When the other members left the group, he and Muna replaced them with Kris Cadevida (later known as Kris Lawrence after winning ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN
ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
singing show Search for the Star in a Million
Search for the Star in a Million
Search for the Star in a Million is a television program in ABS-CBN. The shows premise is almost the same to that of American Idol, although the format is derived from GMA's Search for a Star and ASAP Mania's Star in a Million segment....
). They did gigs in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, San Francisco, and Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. He, also, became the lead singer with his sister Jhing of another band that was led by his late uncle, Robert Sillona, called The Howlers. Later, his sister Jhing would collaborate with him in creating songs. He started performing gigs all around Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
. He also did back-up vocals for major artists, whose albums were released in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, Philippines and other territories. Later, he started co-writing songs with these international artists. He has collaborated with Ray Brown, Troy Johnson, Jason Edmonds, 3am, Steve Singer, Gary Brown
Gary Brown
Gary Leroy Brown is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the eighth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He is currently the running backs coach for the Cleveland Browns. A 5'11", 230-lb...
, Triangle Productions, Dutch Cousin, Chuck Cymone and many other talented producers, even before he got the record deal with Universal.
Singles
- Gameface was released in August 2003, accompanied by Jay R's debut single, "Design for Luv". The song contains a R&BRhythm and bluesRhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
, hip hopHip hop musicHip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
vibe, which was rare for OPM songs at that time. It received heavy airplay, but did not perform well enough to be a breakthrough hit. The song's music video was shot on Hollywood, Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. It is almost plotless and just shows scenes of Jay R singing to the song, while sexy girls are dancing around him. JD Jr. is featured on the song's video. - Following the first single, he released a TagalogTagalog languageTagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
ballad penned by Vehnee Saturno, entitled "Bakit Pa Ba". It reached the top of Philippine Singles Chart, becoming the biggest hit from the album. The music video is dark and has a sad feel. It depicts Jay R singing to the song for his love interest. Immediately after the success of the single, the album was certified Gold by the PARI. - In 2004, the album was re-released, containing two new tracks, "Kung Mahal Mo Siya" and "Throw Your Hands in the Air" (Remix)—both of which were used as singles. "Kung Mahal Mo Siya" was also written by Saturno, and became the third single from the album. It is an OPM ballad that has the same composition to "Bakit Pa Ba". Although, it failed to remake the impact that "Bakit Pa Ba" did.
- "Throw Your Hands in the Air", the original version, was released as the album's fourth and final single. The song slightly differs from the remix version (which was included on the repackaged album), and also features Krook and JOLO.
Promotion
As a debut artist, Jay R did several concerts and performances to promote his album. In April 2004, he accomplished his first ever three-night solo major concert which was entitled Gameface the Concert at the Music Museum. The concert showcased his vocal rhythm and harmony, performing with Mystreme band, and singing the most wanted hits of different genres. It was staged by popular concert director Louie IgnacioLouie Ignacio
Louie Ignacio is a television director in the Philippines.-Music Video Director:*Sarah Geronimo - Broken Vow *Sarah Geronimo - Sa Iyo*Jaya - Honesty*La Diva - Kasiping Ka...
and Mon Faustino. The first concert was so successful, it was immediately followed by another one, entitled Gameface Reload, held at the Folk Arts Theater on September 25, 2004. The second concert featured special guests with big names in the industry, including Regine Velasquez
Regine Velasquez
Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez , better known as Asia's Songbird, Regine Velasquez, is a Filipino singer, actress, record producer and TV host...
, Ai Ai de las Alas, Kyla
Kyla
Melanie Hernandez Calumpad Alvarez , better known by her stage name Kyla, is an R&B singer, songwriter, producer, TV host, and occasional actress from the Philippines....
and Sandara Park
Sandara Park
Park Sandara , better known as Dara , is a South Korean idol singer, actress, television host and model. She is best known as being a member and the Director of Communications of the Korean girl group 2NE1. However, she first gained major popularity on ABS-CBN's Star Circle Quest during her stay in...
.
Reception
Gameface has proven Jay R as a breakthrough artist. It received positive reviews, both from music critics and listeners. It also performed well commercially, certifying Platinum by the PARI to date. Furthermore, it is one of the albums from the early 2000s that have brought back heavy R&B-hip hop to the OPM music scene. It has influenced current Filipino male R&B acts like Kris Lawrence and Duncan Ramos. In addition, he was compared to Gary ValencianoGary Valenciano
Edgardo Jose Martin Santiago Valenciano , better known as Gary Valenciano or Gary V., is a Filipino musician. He is also dubbed as Mr. Pure Energy. He has released 26 albums, and won the Awit Awards for "Best Male Performer" 11 times. In 1998, he became UNICEF Philippines first national Ambassador...
, described in terms of his vocal performance on the album. On September 9, 2004, the 17th Awit Awards
Awit Awards
The Awit Awards is the longest-running award-giving body of the Philippines that gives recognition to Filipino musical talents, performing artists and producers it was Philippines equivalent to Grammy Awards, organized by the Philippine Association Of The Record Industry .-Objectives and Winner...
was held, wherein he was nominated for three categories (Best Ballad, Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year). He won Best Ballad song, but lost the Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year awards to Parokya ni Edgar
Parokya ni Edgar
Parokya ni Edgar is a Filipino band that was formed in 1993 by a group of college students. The band is famous and most lauded for its original rock novelty songs and often satirical covers of popular songs...
's "Mr. Suave". On the same year, he received two nominations on the MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
MTV Pilipinas Music Awards
MTV Pilipinas Music Awards is the Philippines' biggest annual music video awards event.-Award categories:*Video of the Year*Favorite Male Video*Favorite Female Video*Favorite New Artist in a Video*Favorite Group Video*Favorite Pop Video...
(Favorite Male and Favorite New Artist) —where he won Favorite Male, but lost the other award to Bamboo
Bamboo (band)
Bamboo was a Filipino alternative rock supergroup founded in 2002 by Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac, Ira Cruz, Nathan Azarcon and Vic Mercado.-Band origin:...
. He was also named as the Most Promising Male Performer of the year 2004 by Aliw Awards
Aliw Awards
Aliw Awards by the Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc. was established by the renowned Philippine journalist Alice H. Reyes, to recognize achievements in the live entertainment industry in the Philippines...
.
Awards and nominations
- Awit Award for Best BalladAwit AwardsThe Awit Awards is the longest-running award-giving body of the Philippines that gives recognition to Filipino musical talents, performing artists and producers it was Philippines equivalent to Grammy Awards, organized by the Philippine Association Of The Record Industry .-Objectives and Winner...
("Bakit Pa Ba") - won - Awit Award for Song of the YearAwit AwardsThe Awit Awards is the longest-running award-giving body of the Philippines that gives recognition to Filipino musical talents, performing artists and producers it was Philippines equivalent to Grammy Awards, organized by the Philippine Association Of The Record Industry .-Objectives and Winner...
("Bakit Pa Ba") - awarded to "Mr. Suave" by Parokya ni EdgarParokya ni EdgarParokya ni Edgar is a Filipino band that was formed in 1993 by a group of college students. The band is famous and most lauded for its original rock novelty songs and often satirical covers of popular songs... - Awit Award for Music Video of the YearAwit AwardsThe Awit Awards is the longest-running award-giving body of the Philippines that gives recognition to Filipino musical talents, performing artists and producers it was Philippines equivalent to Grammy Awards, organized by the Philippine Association Of The Record Industry .-Objectives and Winner...
("Bakit Pa Ba") - awarded to "Mr. Suave" by Parokya ni EdgarParokya ni EdgarParokya ni Edgar is a Filipino band that was formed in 1993 by a group of college students. The band is famous and most lauded for its original rock novelty songs and often satirical covers of popular songs... - Aliw Award for Most Promising Male PerformerAliw AwardsAliw Awards by the Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc. was established by the renowned Philippine journalist Alice H. Reyes, to recognize achievements in the live entertainment industry in the Philippines...
- won - MTV Pilipinas for Favorite Male VideoMTV Pilipinas for Favorite Male VideoThe following is a list of MTV Pilipinas winners for Favorite Male Video....
("Bakit Pa Ba") - won - MTV Pilipinas for Favorite New Artist in a VideoMTV Pilipinas for Favorite New Artist in a VideoThe following is a list of MTV Pilipinas winners for Favorite New Artist in a Video....
("Bakit Pa Ba") - awarded to BambooBamboo (band)Bamboo was a Filipino alternative rock supergroup founded in 2002 by Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac, Ira Cruz, Nathan Azarcon and Vic Mercado.-Band origin:... - Philippine Hip-Hop Award for Male R&B Artist of the Year - awarded to Luke Mejares
- Philippine Hip-Hop Award for R&B Video of the Year ("Bakit Pa Ba") - awarded to "The Show" by South Border
Track listing
- "Design for Luv" (rap part by JD Jr.) (Jay R Sillona, Troy JohnsonTroy JohnsonTroy Johnson is an American gospel and soul singer. He got his first break with a track on the Blame it on Rio soundtrack in 1984, and signed to Motown Records, where he released his first album. He scored a hit in 1986 with "It's You", which peaked at #65 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart....
, Allen Sovory, Michael NielsenMichael NielsenMichael Aaron Nielsen is a writer living just outside Toronto, Canada. Before, he was an academic in physics. He worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, as the Richard Chace Tolman Prize Fellow at Caltech, was Foundation Professor of Quantum Information Science and a Federation Fellow at the...
, Ralph Churchwell IV) – 3:43 - "Where Do We Go" (Sillona, Johnson, Sovory, Nielsen, Churchwell, A. Bacani, M. Gabriel, O. Maurao, Jimmy Martinez) – 3:39
- "All I Need" (Shawn Dark, RedOneRedOneNadir Khayat , known by the stage name RedOne, is a Moroccan producer and songwriter. Renowned for co-producing hit singles such as "Just Dance", "Poker Face", "LoveGame", "Bad Romance", "Alejandro" and "Judas", he is attributed by some as the key to Lady Gaga's success...
) – 3:43 - "I Got a Girl" (Ian Boxill, Jean Bellefeuille, A. Merrit) – 3:41
- "Farewell" (Johnson, K. Ratliff) – 3:41
- "Rivers Running" (Johnson, S. Young) – 3:43
- "Gameface" (rap part by Beeno) (Johnson, Young, A. Tanner) – 3:41
- "Tongue Ring" (Johnson, A. Cantrell, D. Sharp) – 3:01
- "My Bestfriend's Girl" (Sillona, Johnson, Martinez) – 3:54
- "Our Love" (Sovory, Nielsen, Churchwell) – 5:07
- "Kaibigan" (Jhing Sillona, Johnson) – 5:01
- "Bakit Pa Ba" (Vehnee Saturno) – 4:45
Repackaged bonus tracks
Gameface was re-issued in 2004 with two new tracks that were used as the album's final commercial singles.- "Throw Your Hands in the Air" (Remix) (featuring Krook & JOLO) (Krook & JOLO, DJ M.O.D.) – 3:41
- "Kung Mahal Mo Siya" (Saturno) – 4:13
Personnel
- Jean Bellefeuille - producer
- Rico Bicol - digital mastering
- Elmer Blancaflor - arranger
- Ian Boxill - producer
- Ray Brown - executive producer
- Shawn Dark - producer
- DJ M.O.D. - producer, arranger
- Bryson Evans - producer
- Dominique James - photography
- Troy JohnsonTroy JohnsonTroy Johnson is an American gospel and soul singer. He got his first break with a track on the Blame it on Rio soundtrack in 1984, and signed to Motown Records, where he released his first album. He scored a hit in 1986 with "It's You", which peaked at #65 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart....
- executive producer, producer, mixing and mastering - Jimmy Martinez - producer
- RedOneRedOneNadir Khayat , known by the stage name RedOne, is a Moroccan producer and songwriter. Renowned for co-producing hit singles such as "Just Dance", "Poker Face", "LoveGame", "Bad Romance", "Alejandro" and "Judas", he is attributed by some as the key to Lady Gaga's success...
- producer - Efren San Pedro - mixing engineer
- Vehnee Saturno - producer, mastering engineer
- Jay R Sillona - lead vocals, back-up vocals, producer
- Bon Sundiang - art direction, cover design
- Bella Dy Tan - executive producer
- The Triangle - producer
- Saturno Music Production (Quezon CityQuezon CityQuezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
, PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
) - recording (tracks 12, 14) - Natures Finest Soundlab - mixing and mastering
- Saturno Music Production (Quezon City
Certifications
| Country | Provider | Certification | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines Philippines The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam... |
PARI | Platinum | 30,000+ |
Release history
| Country | Release date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines | Standard (CD) | |
| Repackaged (CD + bonus tracks) | ||
| United States | Standard (digital download) | |