Jada is a pop and R&B female vocal group from Boston, Massachusetts.[1] They are known for their mix of pop, soul, dance, and R&B styling, and their gospel-inspired harmonies.[1][2][3] Jada was signed by Universal Motown Records president Sylvia Rhone in October 2006.[1][4] Jada won “Outstanding Pop/R&B Music Act of the Year” at the 2008 Boston Music Awards.[2][5][6] Jada is managed by Laura Poulin Management/ Bristol Entertainment.[3] Through Universal Motown, Jada released their first major label single, American Cowboy (written and produced by Akon and RedOne) in the spring of 2009.[1][7][8] This was followed by their second major label single, Break Up Song (written and produced by Wayne Wilkins, Andrew Frampton, and Savan Kotecha) in the fall of 2009.[8][9][10] Jada’s song, Model That, was featured on the November 17, 2009 episode of the MTV television show "The City (MTV Series)" in Season 1 Episode 121 ‘Forget About Boys’.[1][8][11] Recently, Jada’s American Cowboy song aired on the Fox (Fox Broadcasting Company) sitcom, House (TV Series), on Monday, April 27, 2010 in season 5 episode 22, “House Divided.” [1][8][11][12] Their most recent single, This Party’s on Fire (written and produced by Rio) will be released in the spring of 2011.[8]
LIFE AND CAREER
Early Years
In January 2006, Jada worked in New York with Grammy-nominated producer/songwriter Toby Gad (Fergie (singer), Beyoncé, Natasha Bedingfield).[2][13][14] Jada worked with Gad to co-write the ballad, “Is It Love”. Jada traveled to studios all over the country, from New York City and Atlanta to Miami and Los Angeles, collaborating with such superstars as RedOne, Akon, Danja (musician), Wyclef Jean, Swizz Beatz and J.R. Rotem.[1][3][13][14][15][16] They also worked with Jordan Omley from production/songwriting team The Jam (production team) (Leona Lewis, Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks) yielded “The Problem With Love,” “If You Wanna (written by Ryan Tedder of One Republic),” and the inspirational “Hold On”.[2][13][14] An alliance with UK team Wayne Wilkins, Andrew Frampton, and Savan Kotecha (Natasha Bedingfield, Carrie Underwood) resulted in the mid tempo “Break Up Song” and club track “Play a Playa,” while New york City hit-makers Sturken & Rodgers (Christina Aguilera, Rihanna) contributed the ballad, "Shattered.” [3][10][13][14] Later, “Can’t Let Go,” was co-written by Jada and Ric Poulin.[2][13][14][17] In 2006, the group signed to Universal Motown.
Their song, I'm That Chick (produced by JR Rotem) was featured on the Bring It On (In It to Win It sequel) mini soundtrack in late 2007.[18] In February 2008, Jada appeared with R&B singer JoJo (Singer) at the Ultimate Prom event.[19][20][21] In 2008, the writing team, The Clutch and producer Danja (musician), wrote and produced a song with Jada called "Denial," which they performed live on NECN.[17][22]
Jada won “Outstanding Pop/R&B Music Act of the Year” at the 2008 Boston Music Awards.[2] The Boston Phoenix official dispatch from the 2008 Boston Music Awards said of Jada, “Being that they’re signed to Motown, these local divas had some hype to live up to. And they did; homegirls look hotter in person than in press shots (one even has a little Jess Alba thing going on), and, unlike manufactured hoaxes like Destiny’s Child, every last one of them can belt and grind.” [6]
In 2008, Jada worked with producer RedOne (Lady Gaga, Brandy) at Jada’s homebase, Bristol Recording Studios in Boston.[3] The sessions yielded “Model That” and the group’s debut single, “American Cowboy” (co-written and produced by Akon), which was released to iTunes on March 31.[1] Jada toured many Top 40 radio stations across the country promoting their song and video release of American Cowboy. The video was directed by Ray Kay (Lady Gaga) and released on April 25.[8][23] Jada's second single, the mid-tempo "Break Up Song", written and produced by Wayne Wilkins, Andrew Frampton, and Savan Kotecha, was released to Top 40 Radio, iTunes and Amazon.com in September 2009.[10] The same creative team wrote and produced Jada's song "Model That", which was featured on the MTV television show "The City (MTV Series)" on Nov. 17, 2009.[8][24][25] Some of the popular Top 40 Radio Stations across the country visited by Jada during their tours for “American Cowboy” and "Break Up Song " include KIIS LA (Los Angeles, CA), WXKS KISS 108 (Boston, MA), WKSE (Buffalo, NY), WBHT (Wilkes-Barre, PA), WIOQ Q102 (Philadelphia, PA), WKCI KC101.3 (New Haven, CT), KWNZ 93.7 (Reno, NV), and WWHT Hot 107 (Syracuse, NY).[26][27]
Recent
In 2010, Jada performed at the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) in the northeast convention in Philadelphia and in the west convention in Los Angeles. Their new song, This Party’s on Fire, recently played on the Top 40 radio station, KISS 108 Boston. Jada also sang the National Anthem for various sporting events, such as the 2010 NBA Playoffs for the Boston Celtics first playoff game at the TD Garden, and at the HBO Welterweight Boxing Championship at Madison Square Garden in New York. Jada also performed at the Boston Nightlife Awards and the annual Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Ceremony.[22][28][29][30]
Jada’s American Cowboy song aired on the Fox (Fox Broadcasting Company) sitcom, House (TV Series), on Monday, April 27, 2010 in season 5 episode 26, “House Divided.” [1][11][12][23] Jada also performed at the nationally televised wedding of Cynthia Bailey and Peter Thomas of the Bravo (US TV channel) show, the Real Housewives of Atlanta in season 3.
In 2011, Jada was celebrity judges at the Hard Rock Cafe Battle of the Bands representing the non-profit organization, Music Drives Us Foundation, led by Ernie Boch Jr.[31]
ARTISTRY
Musical Style and Influences
Jada is known for their mix of pop music, soul, dance, and R&B styling, and their gospel-inspired harmonies.[2][32] Each singer has her own individual style, such as Jacyn's tastes of pop and rock from Pink (singer) to Paramore, April’s hip-hop and urban sound and fashion from T.I. and Timbaland, Lauren's suburban Philadelphia influences in neo-soul legends like Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild, and Elle’s unique style from Rascal Flatts and John Legend to Lady Gaga.[2][3][8][13][14][17][32]
Performances
Jada has performed at numerous fairs, festivals, parks, concerts, colleges and televised events across the country. Jada has shared the stage with The Black Eyed Peas, Ciara, Akon, Sean Kingston, Boyz II Men, JoJo (singer), Ashanti, Flo Rida, All American Rejects, Plain White T’s, Jesse McCartney, Soulja Boy, Hall and Oates, Susan Tedeschi, The Rascals and others.[3][8][25] Jada has toured with Simon Mall (Simon Property Group) D'Tour Live, Radio Disney Summer Concert Series, National Radio Concert Tour Spring/Summer 09 including WXKS-FM (KISS 108 FM) Concert at the Comcast Center Boston, WBHT Concert, WKSZ Concert, WKGS KISS 106.7 Concert and more.[1][8][25][29][33] Jada has performed the National Anthem at Gillette Stadium for the New England Patriots, at Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox, at The TD Garden for the Boston Celtics NBA Playoffs for the 2008, 2009, and 2010 seasons, for the Boston Bruins at The TD Garden, and at the 2010 HBO Welterweight Boxing Championship at Madison Square Garden.[8] Other live performances include: Teen Vogue and Seventeen Magazine events, Disney Pleasure Island, Six Flags, Hershey Park, Hard Rock Cafe, Day of the Child Concert at Santa Monica Airport, Radio Disney, the 2010 Boston Nightlife Awards, Boston Music Awards, Miami Winter Music Conference, the Viper Room at John Garabedian "Open House Party" at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards, the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA), and Bravo’s (Bravo (US TV channel)) Real Housewives of Atlanta (season 3).[8][22][28][29][30][34]
MEDIA APPEARANCES
Fox (Fox Broadcasting Company) television show, House (TV Series)
Jada's debut single "American Cowboy" (written and produced by Akon and RedOne) was featured on the April 27, 2010 episode of the Fox (Fox Broadcasting Company)television show "House (TV Series)" in Season 5 Episode 26 'House Divided'. Scene appears 30 minutes into the episode: http://www.fox.com/house/recaps/season-5/episode-22.htm [1][8][11][12]
MTV television show, The City (MTV series)
"Model That" was featured on the November 17, 2009 episode of the MTV television show "The City (MTV series)" in Season 1 Episode 121 ‘Forget About Boys’: http://www.mtv.com/shows/the-city/season_1/episode.jhtml?episodeID=161303 [8][24]
John Garabedian "Open House Party"
Jada performed for John Garabedian "Open House Party" in The Viper Room at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards: http://www.bristolstudios.com/news/summer05.html [34]
Other Top 40 radio station interviews and appearances include:
East: WXKS KISS108 (Boston, MA), WFHN (New Bedford, MA), WKCI (New Haven, CT), WFLY (Albany, NY) , WKKF (Albany, NY), WWHT (Syracuse, NY), WPXY (Rochester, NY), WKGS (Rochester, NY), WKSE (Buffalo, NY), WBHT (Wilkes-Barre, PA), WKRZ (Wilkes-Barre, PA), WHKF (Harrisburg, PA), and WSTW (Wilminton, PA) [26][27]
West: KIIS (Los Angeles, CA), KDND (Sacramento, CA), KSXY (Santa Rosa, CA), KWYL 102.9 (Reno, NV), KHOP 95.1 (Modesto, CA), KWNZ 93.7 (Reno, NV), KHTS (San Diego, CA), KZZP (Phoenix, AZ), KRQQ (Tucson, AZ), KSME (Denver, CO), KKMG (Denver, CO), KVUU (Denver, CO), KPTT (Denver, CO), KONN (Denver, CO), KZHT (Salt Lake City, UT), KYMV (Salt Lake City, UT), and KUDD (Salt Lake City, UT) [26]
South: WFLZ (Tampa, FL), WXXL (Orlando, FL), WBVD (Melbourne, FL), WHYI (Miami, FL), WPOW (Miami, FL), WBZW (Pittsburg, PA), WKST (Pittsburg, PA), WAKS (Independence, OH), WNCI (Columbus, OH), WDJX (Louisville, KY), and WZKF (Louisville, KY).[26]
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AFFILIATIONS
Jada was the first Ambassador for Ernie Boch Jr.'s, Music Drives Us Foundation. Jada has made many appearances as part of this foundation, such as guest judges at the 2010 and 2011 Hard Rock Cafe Battle of the Bands.[35]
DISCOGRAPHY
Singles
2007: I'm that Chick (produced by JR Rotem, soundtrack movie, Bring it On (In It to Win It sequel)
2009: American Cowboy, (produced by Akon, RedOne, soundtrack for television show, "House (TV Series)")
2009: Break Up Song (produced by Wayne Wilkins, Andrew Frampton, Savan Kotecha)
2010: This Party’s on Fire (produced by Ric Poulin)
Other Songs
2008: Is It Love (produced by Toby Gad and Jada)
2008: Denial (produced by Danja (musician))
2008: Goodbye (produced by Ric Poulin)
2008: Girl Just Do Your Thing (produced by Toby Gad and Jada)
2008: Can't Let Go (produced by Ric Poulin)
2008: If You Wanna (produced by Ryan Tedder)
2008: Kiss and Tell (produced by The Insomniax)
2009: Play a Playa (produced by Wayne Wilkins, Andrew Frampton, Savan Kotecha)
2009: Shattered (produced by Sturken & Rodgers)
2009: Model That (produced by Danja (musician))
2009: The Problem with Love (produced by Jordan Omley from The Jam (production team)
MUSIC VIDEOS
Year: 2009
Song: American Cowboy
Director: Ray Kay
AWARDS
Year: 2008
Presenter: Boston Music Awards
Awards: Outstanding Pop/R&B Act Of The Year
Result: Won
EXTERNAL LINKS
Official Website - http://www.jadamusic.com
Jada on Music Drives Us - http://www.musicdrivesus.org/AmbassadorJada.aspx
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