J-RIZZO profile picture

J-RIZZO

About Me


The journey started back in high school just writing poetry as a release for a shy but very independant teenager. Music was the other passion in a life that was constantly being bounced around from place to place. J-Rizzo was born in Santa Ana California but family later moved to American Samoa which is a lovely island within the South Pacific. Being in the islands was basic training for a career that he would soon follow as an adult. Many of his musical influences were from the radio but especially from album crates that his uncles & aunt's would let him use to record mix tapes. He and his friends would beat box or pound beats on school desks while taking turn rapping as a past time in high school.
He would later move back to California and began hanging out with his brothers who started a group originally from Compton called "Village Crew Production". Music was not the only influence but also gang life also entered J's world as well. It wasn't too long before "V.C.P" fell apart because most of the members were being incarcerated for crimes.
After a night in the slammer, J decided to straighten up and fly right. He had made an oath with God that night and promised, if the Lord will get him out of this mess he will pursue the will of God for his life. He was released and shortly after started up a group of his own called "Prophet's Of Peace". After releasing a couple of independant projects with "P.O.P" he moved on and took a break from music. But it didn't take long before the rap bug bit and he started up "Priesthood" with two of his friends.
Now J-Rizzo aka J-Raw (real name: Les Moaalii Jr.) is the founder of the popular Hip-Hop and R & B group "Priesthood". As part of the group he has traveled across the U. S, Internationally and played in every type of venue imaginable. This profile is set to just introduce "The Man" and his vision.
Began back in 1994 but actually started in "89" J-Rizzo's roots can be traced back to the Compton Hip-Hop Gangtsa sound. Big fan of the Ol' School 70's & 80's Funk/Soul/R & B has surfaced in a lot of the hook's and songs that J has composed. Also being Polynesian or Samoan to be exact has a added a twist in the "Island Rider Music" style as he calls it. J has now also partnered up with the guy's of Priesthood to start their own record label "High Life Inc." which will be releasing their next project "THUGG WORSHIP". Other projects include; Solo albums by J-Rizzo, Chico Breeze, Tapasu, Kartoon & Mr. Swift.
No secret about J-Rizzo's inspiration and influence is his commitment to the biggest change in his life is his relationship with his Lord, Jesus. Not one to force his faith on any man but to use it to bring healing thru it has built strong relationship's with people who would otherwise never would have anything to do with it. The music is the extension of his heart & passion.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 02/05/2006
Band Website: UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Band Members: J-Rizzo: Lead Vocals & BG Vocals. Mr. Swift: Production & Vocals. Chico Breeze: Vocals Tapasu: Vocals
Influences: Ol Skool: Cameo, Lakeside, Barkay's, Ohio Players, War, Isley Bros., Gap Band, Earth Wind & Fire, Zapp & Roger, Temeperees, Blue Magic, Chilites, Stylistics....Hip Hop: NWA, Dre, Snoop, Eazy E, Nat Dogg, Tupac, Bone Thugz, Biggie, DMX, Lauren Hill, Public Enemy, BDP, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, Too Short, Sugar Hill, 50 Cent, Kanye, Luda....R & B: Prince, Maxwell, DeAngelo, Brian Mcknight, Maraiah Carrey, Jagged Edge, Jodeci, Dru Hill, Aliah, Jaheim, Usher, Anthony Hamilton....Island/Reggae: Five Stars, Penina O Tiafau, Fiji, B.E.T, AZ, Pati, Uce Duce, Brownzville, Adeaze, Bob Marley, Aswad, UB40, Lucky Dube.....Gospel: Donnie McClurken, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Gary Oliver, Jon Gibson, Gospel Gangstaz, C.M.C's, Just to name a few....
Sounds Like: Island Rider Music: West Coast Rap mixed with that Ol' School Funk/R & B, a dash of that island influence.

- 2000 Dove Award Nominee for Rap/Hip-Hop/Dance Song Of The Year "Be Around" off of the "Sprinkle Me Luv" album (HIGHLYFE INC.).

- 2002 Dove Award Nominee for Rap/Hip-Hop/Album Of The Year entitled "Keepin' It Real" (HIGHLYFE INC.).

If your interested in purchasing any of the CD's just send a message and we will get back to you with the details. For Booking Information Contact Priesthood @ (562) 633-2238 :
Record Label: Highlyfe Inc.
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Prayer Requests:

Just would like to make myself & P-Hood avaliable for anyone needing prayer. Anything you got on your heart whether it be an emergency, important decision, comfort, help or maybe something no...
Posted by on Mon, 05 Jun 2006 07:45:00 GMT

Priesthood Booking Info:

Want Priesthood to play at your Festival, Youth Group, Outreach, Tour, Concert, Club, etc... Give us a call on our personal hot line and ask for Connie who is in charge of scheduling/bookings. We will...
Posted by on Sun, 04 Jun 2006 15:38:00 GMT

Got Priesthood Music?

For anyone who would like to purchase any cd's from Priesthood just give us a call on our office phone and place an order. Or just send your check or money order to the address below and we ...
Posted by on Sun, 04 Jun 2006 15:27:00 GMT