JR Rayford

My name is Jarrod Rayford, bka JR. I was Born in California and raised in Bloomington, IL. I have been singing, producing and writing ever since I can remember, but I had always been shy about my voice until my friend and musical mentor, Raemont Pinkney, encouraged me to take the leap into participating in school talent shows and open mic's my first year in college. Though I won many of the former and performed well in the latter, I still lacked the confidence to perform in front of larger audiences until some friends and I formed the group TUHIGH (Tuskegee University, Harmony in God's House). Two members of that group and I performed Dru Hill's "All Alone" at Tuskegee's edition of 5 Minutes to Fame, which merited rave review. However, we decided to go our separate ways and I have been singing solo ever since. I have recorded with producers such as Tony Brookins (based in Bloomington, IL), Janus Pierre, aka Jaynoose with PMR Records, and have sung hooks for NuwBorn (a currently unsigned Atlanta based rap group) who have worked with Violator Management, Top Cat and Peachtree Entertainment. I've worked with Tony Wadley, A&R for Groove Factor Records (In association with super-producer Teddy Bishop). I've recorded with K. Chilla, a rapper out of Florida by way of Detroit, MA. I've also appeared on Justin "Jay" MacSwain's (Minority Rhythm Records' recording artist) upcoming album. I've performed twice for Def Poetry/Comedy Jam and for the Singer's Spotlight in BET's Black College Tour.SHOUTS OUT TO THE BAND "SIGNATURE"!!!