In 2007, the Philippines' R & B King JayR took the initiative to gather the country's great contemporary musicians under Homeworkz, an independent record label he founded and dedicated to develop Original Pilipino Music (OPM). Now eight years old, the label has remained steadfast in building its roster of talents and in enhancing its contribution to the music industry.
"Homeworkz is basically all about Original Pilipino Music or OPM, ginagawa namin is we gather all great artists and spread great music. They do their own work not just for me or the label, they are proactive and independent. The reason why I named it "Homeworkz"is simply because we work at home, that is in my house. Ang maganda sa amin tulungan talaga and yung collaboration in our music is always there. May kaniya-kaniyang genre, but we are one" JayR said.
At the recent Homeworkz Music bloggers' conference held at Treehouse, Makati City, special performances by the label's recording stars brought OPM to the fore. Contemporary artists like Mica Javier, hip-hop/R&B duo Q-York, rock band Kley, Deejay Poblete, novelty rap/hip-hop royalty Salbakuta, singer-actress Francheska Farr, and Rakenrol star Glaiza De Castro showed that Filipinos are world-class when it comes to music.
Homeworkz has an impressive lineup of albums and singles released by its recording stars. Scroll down to know more about Homeworkz artists and releases:
JayR, Elevated album
R&B King JayR's album titled "Elevated" is composed of 14 tracks which features collaborations with Homeworkz Music resident artists like Mica Javier and Q-York; and with JayR's friends in the industry, like the Queen of R&B Kyla, Gabi Wilson, Jhing, Jimmy Muna, Marie Digby, Aj Rafael, and Kris Lawrence.
No one can stop JayR from giving great music and performances for Filipinos. He continues to reign on ABS-CBN's show "Your Face Sounds Familiar" and has gained praises from the show's judges like Gary Valenciano, Jed Madela, and the Megastar Sharon Cuneta.
Expect to see more of the R&B King JayR on the upcoming series of mall tours nationwide to promote his album.
Mica Javier
Mica Javier is a Timberland Productions recording artist known for an edgy Pop/R&B sound. One of the highlights of her career is when she performed as the official front act on JLo's Dance Again concert in Manila.
A number of her records were licensed by major TV shows, commercials, and films in the USA like her song "3000 Light Years" which was featured in GLEE (2011) and Dance Moms (2012). She was also invited to perform her "Freedom Song" live in NYC for the annual Project Lipstick fundraiser.
Mica's first single "Tonight", a duet with JayR and released in Manila in 2013, became a hit and gained recognition in radio stations nationwide.
Mica is not just a model and talented singer, she's also an entrepreneur. She launched the MNL Scents that is available at selected Cinderella stores, Fisher Mall, and www.iheartmnl.com.
Q-York
The group "Quality-Yields Our Richest Key" or "Queens, New York" is popularly known as Q-York. Founded in 2001, the band is composed of KNOWA LAZARUS (MC/Songwriter) and FLAVA MATIKZ (Producer/DJ), who were both born and raised in Queens, New York. They describe themselves as brothers from different mothers bound together by music.
They invaded the Philippine music scene in 2009 with a hit single "Mainit" that became a summer anthem for Filipinos worldwide. Q-York's talent in music allowed them to travel and collaborate with international and local celebrities like Ron Artest, Far East Movement, Camille Velasco, Gloc-9, Young JV, Krista Kleiner. They also front acted for Pussy Cat Dolls Live In Manila (2009), Shock Value Tour in Manila, Justin Timberlake, and more.
Last year their pop song Qrush On You featuring JayR and Elmo hit the top of the charts and stayed there for weeks. Under Homeworkz, they also launched their album titled "Q-Labonation" with 21 tracks and now available in leading record bars nationwide.
Deejay Poblete
The talented "Rock Chic" Deejay Poblete was born in Los Angeles and raised in a family who loves music, including her uncle JayR. When she moved to the Philippines in 2007, she joined the band Kley, gained experience in writing rock and pop hits, and TV and commercial ads. In 2012, she won as the grand champion of Pinoypop Superstar. Her song "Dulo ng Dila", a duet with JayR and an entry in the Philippine Popular Music Festival became a hit.
Today, Deejay Poblete is embarking on a solo career, without the Kley band but still with her uncle's indie label Homeworkz. Aside from being a singer-composer, Deejay is also a successful entrepreneur.
Frencheska Farr
After winning the Next Female Big Star in 2009, Marie Frencheska Mae Tobias Farr is one of the singing divas of Kapuso GMA 7. She is famous for her GMA TV shows like SOP and "Second Chances" and for portraying the lead role in the movie musical "Emir".
Frencheska released her debut album in 2010 under GMA Records, titled "Inside My Heart". She has just recently released her digital single "Let My Fire Out" which is currently holding the 19th spot at the Pinoy Myx Countdown as of this writing.
Glaiza De Castro
The actress-singer Glaiza De Castro's versatility is apparent in her album titled "SYNTHESIS". Co-produced with JP Garcia, it reflects her unique ability to showcase her music by flawlessly blending her artistry as an actress with her patent skills as a musician.
Now that Glaiza is in Homeworkz Music roster, she will surely hone her musical talent to give her audience a better understanding of her passion.
Salbakuta
Salbakuta's phenomenal hit song "S2pid Luv" (that I'm sure many of you grew up to) made them one of the music icons of the Philippine music industry. Their first album, recorded with the late Nasty-Mac went quadruple platinum in the 2000's.
Their newly-released album, aptly titled "Rebirth", with its single 'Mabuti Nalang" featuring JayR is now available at all leading record stores nationwide
Today, Salbakuta is composed of Ben-Deatha, Charlie Mack, and Mad Killad.
All of Homeworkz' talents are respected in the music industry and their careers are still on the rise. Being OPM artists, they deserve more support and recognition in the country's contemporary music scene. Kudos to JayR for his vision and unrelenting will to support and develop young talents. The industry needs more of his kind.
*Homeworkz Music Bloggers' Conference was sponsored by HomeworkZ Music, LionHearTV, Ang Sawariko.com, and MNL Online. The conference was also supported by MNL Scents, Q-York Edutainment and Treehouse Tavern, A.Venue.
"Homeworkz is basically all about Original Pilipino Music or OPM, ginagawa namin is we gather all great artists and spread great music. They do their own work not just for me or the label, they are proactive and independent. The reason why I named it "Homeworkz"is simply because we work at home, that is in my house. Ang maganda sa amin tulungan talaga and yung collaboration in our music is always there. May kaniya-kaniyang genre, but we are one" JayR said.
At the recent Homeworkz Music bloggers' conference held at Treehouse, Makati City, special performances by the label's recording stars brought OPM to the fore. Contemporary artists like Mica Javier, hip-hop/R&B duo Q-York, rock band Kley, Deejay Poblete, novelty rap/hip-hop royalty Salbakuta, singer-actress Francheska Farr, and Rakenrol star Glaiza De Castro showed that Filipinos are world-class when it comes to music.
JayR, Elevated album
R&B King JayR's album titled "Elevated" is composed of 14 tracks which features collaborations with Homeworkz Music resident artists like Mica Javier and Q-York; and with JayR's friends in the industry, like the Queen of R&B Kyla, Gabi Wilson, Jhing, Jimmy Muna, Marie Digby, Aj Rafael, and Kris Lawrence.
No one can stop JayR from giving great music and performances for Filipinos. He continues to reign on ABS-CBN's show "Your Face Sounds Familiar" and has gained praises from the show's judges like Gary Valenciano, Jed Madela, and the Megastar Sharon Cuneta.
Expect to see more of the R&B King JayR on the upcoming series of mall tours nationwide to promote his album.
Mica Javier
Mica Javier is a Timberland Productions recording artist known for an edgy Pop/R&B sound. One of the highlights of her career is when she performed as the official front act on JLo's Dance Again concert in Manila.
A number of her records were licensed by major TV shows, commercials, and films in the USA like her song "3000 Light Years" which was featured in GLEE (2011) and Dance Moms (2012). She was also invited to perform her "Freedom Song" live in NYC for the annual Project Lipstick fundraiser.
Mica's first single "Tonight", a duet with JayR and released in Manila in 2013, became a hit and gained recognition in radio stations nationwide.
Mica is not just a model and talented singer, she's also an entrepreneur. She launched the MNL Scents that is available at selected Cinderella stores, Fisher Mall, and www.iheartmnl.com.
Q-York
The group "Quality-Yields Our Richest Key" or "Queens, New York" is popularly known as Q-York. Founded in 2001, the band is composed of KNOWA LAZARUS (MC/Songwriter) and FLAVA MATIKZ (Producer/DJ), who were both born and raised in Queens, New York. They describe themselves as brothers from different mothers bound together by music.
They invaded the Philippine music scene in 2009 with a hit single "Mainit" that became a summer anthem for Filipinos worldwide. Q-York's talent in music allowed them to travel and collaborate with international and local celebrities like Ron Artest, Far East Movement, Camille Velasco, Gloc-9, Young JV, Krista Kleiner. They also front acted for Pussy Cat Dolls Live In Manila (2009), Shock Value Tour in Manila, Justin Timberlake, and more.
Last year their pop song Qrush On You featuring JayR and Elmo hit the top of the charts and stayed there for weeks. Under Homeworkz, they also launched their album titled "Q-Labonation" with 21 tracks and now available in leading record bars nationwide.
Deejay Poblete
The talented "Rock Chic" Deejay Poblete was born in Los Angeles and raised in a family who loves music, including her uncle JayR. When she moved to the Philippines in 2007, she joined the band Kley, gained experience in writing rock and pop hits, and TV and commercial ads. In 2012, she won as the grand champion of Pinoypop Superstar. Her song "Dulo ng Dila", a duet with JayR and an entry in the Philippine Popular Music Festival became a hit.
Today, Deejay Poblete is embarking on a solo career, without the Kley band but still with her uncle's indie label Homeworkz. Aside from being a singer-composer, Deejay is also a successful entrepreneur.
After winning the Next Female Big Star in 2009, Marie Frencheska Mae Tobias Farr is one of the singing divas of Kapuso GMA 7. She is famous for her GMA TV shows like SOP and "Second Chances" and for portraying the lead role in the movie musical "Emir".
Frencheska released her debut album in 2010 under GMA Records, titled "Inside My Heart". She has just recently released her digital single "Let My Fire Out" which is currently holding the 19th spot at the Pinoy Myx Countdown as of this writing.
Glaiza De Castro
The actress-singer Glaiza De Castro's versatility is apparent in her album titled "SYNTHESIS". Co-produced with JP Garcia, it reflects her unique ability to showcase her music by flawlessly blending her artistry as an actress with her patent skills as a musician.
Now that Glaiza is in Homeworkz Music roster, she will surely hone her musical talent to give her audience a better understanding of her passion.
Salbakuta
Salbakuta's phenomenal hit song "S2pid Luv" (that I'm sure many of you grew up to) made them one of the music icons of the Philippine music industry. Their first album, recorded with the late Nasty-Mac went quadruple platinum in the 2000's.
Their newly-released album, aptly titled "Rebirth", with its single 'Mabuti Nalang" featuring JayR is now available at all leading record stores nationwide
Today, Salbakuta is composed of Ben-Deatha, Charlie Mack, and Mad Killad.
All of Homeworkz' talents are respected in the music industry and their careers are still on the rise. Being OPM artists, they deserve more support and recognition in the country's contemporary music scene. Kudos to JayR for his vision and unrelenting will to support and develop young talents. The industry needs more of his kind.
*Homeworkz Music Bloggers' Conference was sponsored by HomeworkZ Music, LionHearTV, Ang Sawariko.com, and MNL Online. The conference was also supported by MNL Scents, Q-York Edutainment and Treehouse Tavern, A.Venue.
