AJ Rafael

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AJ Rafael
AJ Rafael in 2016 for Pretty Dudes
AJ Rafael in 2016 for Pretty Dudes
Background information
Birth nameArthur Joseph Rafael
Born (1989-03-12) March 12, 1989 (age 35)
Moreno Valley, California, U.S.
GenresPop rock
Occupation(s)singer-songwriter
Years active2004–present
Websiteajrafaelmusic.com
YouTube information
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Channels
Years active2006–present
Genre
Singing
Subscribers1.07 million (AJ Rafael)
8,800 (Alyssa & AJ)
Total views229 million (AJ Rafael)
284,000 (Alyssa & AJ)
100,000 subscribers2009 (AJ Rafael)[1]
1,000,000 subscribers2020 (AJ Rafael)[2]
Last updated: 16 January 2023

Arthur Joseph Rafael (born March 12, 1989), known professionally as AJ Rafael, is a Filipino-American singer-songwriter, YouTuber, and TikToker. Born in Moreno Valley, California, he graduated from the Berklee College of Music in 2010.

Rafael started a

season 4 of American Idol and was eliminated. In 2006, he posted his first YouTube video which was a Meg & Dia medley. In 2010, Rafael released an extended play titled Juicebox. Early the next year, he appeared on Billboard
's recently created "Uncharted" chart. He released his debut album Red Roses in 2011 and went on tours in Southeast Asia and Australia to promote it. Rafael took an indefinite hiatus from touring in 2014 after he had difficulty filling seats at his concerts despite his having a half million YouTube subscribers and millions of video views.

Inspired by the film

Reflection". Filmed while they were in quarantine in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in California, the video went viral
, accruing over 10 million views.

Career

Early career (2003–2010)

AJ Rafael (far right) at Pin@yPalooza in 2010

Rafael created a

season 4 of American Idol but was eliminated by three judges.[3]

Rafael uploaded his initial

Ustream.[13] In a 2009 article in the Inland Empire Weekly, journalist Lilledeshan Bose wrote, "Rafael's songs, whether on the ukulele, guitar or piano, are made in the same vein: sweet pop ballads. His voice is crystal-clear, with never a sour note in the mix."[13] That year, Rafael was an unsuccessful contestant with his band at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in the singing competition Kollaboration Acoustic III which seeks to raise awareness about Asian Americans in the performing arts.[14] By 2010, he had uploaded over 150 videos that collectively accrued 80 million views.[3] In 2010, Rafael with 178,117 YouTube subscribers was among the "50 most subscribed music channels".[15]

Juicebox, Red Roses, and tours (2010–2014)

AJ Rafael in 2010

In April 2010, Rafael released his first

music management company.[3] In 2011, he was a member of the AJ Rafael Band with Noah Bartfield on bass, Jesse Barrera on guitar, and Danny Morledge on drums.[9] In 2011, Rafael, charted in Billboard's recently created "Uncharted" chart.[12] That year, Billboard chose his band to compete with five others in "Battle of the Bands" with the winner performing in the Billboard Music Awards.[12] Rafael's band was defeated by the band Gentlemen Hall.[16]

To raise money for his first album, Rafael started a

Heatseekers chart.[4] The album has 11 original songs that are all based on Rafael's past relationships and experiences: Here, Tonight; Emma Watson; Red Roses; We Could Happen; Without You; Mess We've Made; Five-Hundred Days; She Was Mine; When We Say; Starlit Nights; and Here All Alone PT 3.[17] The Philippine Daily Inquirer said "We Could Happen" and "When We Say" had "catchy beats" that "have made fans out of casual viewers".[4] After being selected to vie for nominations for Grammy Award for Best New Artist and Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, he did not receive either of the nominations.[4][18] Along with a band that included Andrew Rhim on guitar, Noah Bartfield on bass, and Danny Morledge on drums, Rafael performed songs from the album in Southeast Asia and Australia.[19][4] For their first show on the tour, they played live at the Music Museum in the Philippines on January 18, 2012.[4][20] The attendees were primarily teenage girls.[19] The Philippine Daily Inquirer reviewer Pocholo Concepcion found that Rafael "exuded charm and confidence as he played keyboards and sang tunes that were so honest, you had to listen and believe what he was saying" and the songs "hewed close to pop-rock with catchy mid-tempo beats, at times shifting gears to allow lead guitar solos".[19] Rafael "engag[ed] in a fantasy conversation" in the song "Emma Watson", "wax[ed] poetic" in the song "Starlit Nights", "fe[lt] miserable" in "Red Roses", and "relish[ed] the past" in "Five Hundred Days".[19] He worked with the actor Dante Basco and the production company Kinetic Films to create Red Roses The Movie, a musical that would have been inspired by his album with the same name and would have starred himself.[5] After Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines, they stopped work on the musical to concentrate on helping the storm's victims.[5]

Rafael performed "We Could Happen" on the

The Fung Brothers for a video titled "Asians Eat Weird Things" in which they rapped at a 99 Ranch Market about how Asians ate century egg, balut, chicken feet, pig intestines, and tripe.[24]

Hiatus from tours, Crazy Talented Asians, and one million subscribers (2014–present)

In June 2014, Rafael penned an open letter to his viewers announcing his indefinite pause from performing at live shows in August 2014.[25] Noting that he had over a half million YouTube subscribers and 113 million video views, he said he had difficulty attracting audiences to in-person shows.[25] In an interview with the news website Rappler, Rafael said, "it's looking at these numbers and being like, 'How am I gonna turn this into financial support for me and my family?' That's the struggle as well. ... I have to be selfish for a little bit, I think, and kinda take it back, take a few steps back."[25] It was challenging for Rafael to make money from writing and performing original songs that were not released by a record label and he had personal justifications for his hiatus.[26] His last show before his break was in Guam on August 29, 2014, at Father Dueñas Memorial School's Phoenix Center.[27] He performed songs from his album Red Roses as well as a Disney medley.[27] Pacific Daily News reviewer Rocky Daleno said it "was a truly incredible experience and one of the best performances from a stateside artist Guam has had in several years".[27]

Around 2015, he started a Bounded, a clothing brand influenced by

Orange County Register for the event, Rafael, who said he never received a recording contract, said, "I tried, but I never had the opportunity. I felt like they weren't looking for people like me – an Asian-American singer".[10] On an October 21, 2018, episode of the music TV show Coke Studio Philippines, Rafael performed with Moira Dela Torre.[29]

Rafael has been an actor, music director, and dancer in local

musical theater shows including Tarzan.[8] He performed in Spring Awakening in a show produced by Riverside Repertory Theater in 2016.[7] Rafael assumed the role of Terk in a Riverside City College production of the musical Tarzan in January 2019.[30] He performed as Pepper in East West Players's presentation of Mamma Mia! in May 2019.[31][32] In February 2020, he had 933,000 YouTube subscribers.[8] On February 1, 2020, he posted an original song called "Waking Up Sucks (Sometimes)" to YouTube.[8] The previous time he had released an original song was in 2014.[8]

Influenced by the film Crazy Rich Asians, Rafael in September 2018 started Crazy Talented Asians, a live variety show that showcases Asians in the performing arts community.[33] The event, which had poetry readings, singing, and dancing, originally was hosted at the Rockwell Table & Stage in Hollywood.[33] Crazy Talented Asians subsequently was relocated to the David Henry Hwang Theatre after East West Players began co-hosting it.[33] Rafael co-hosted the ninth installment of the show, which was virtual, with Alyssa Navarro in December 2020.[33] After surpassing one million subscribers on December 28, 2020,[2] Rafael received a Gold Creator Award from YouTube in early 2021.[34][35] When he received the award, he had 567 videos on his channel.[34]

Charity and activism

Before 2010, Rafael performed his music on YouTube and Ustream for multiple charity events, including securing $8,000 that went to his church, $6,800 for a "Walk for Autism", and $4,000 for

charity concerts since 2006 and participates in activities hosted by Autism Speaks.[26]

Rafael was one of the leaders of the "#WashTheHate"

people of color who are discriminated against.[37] On May 27, 2020, he wrote on Instagram, "We can call out the injustices happening to us as we are being blamed for the coronavirus AND call out White Supremacy [and] racism happening towards the Black community by all other races (including ours)."[37] He created online posters with the message "FILIPINOS FOR BLACK LIVES" and bemoaned that some Filipinos did not like dark skin, writing, that "[Filipinos need to] confront the colorism in our own community" since it "leads to anti-blackness then turns to racism".[38]

Personal life

Arthur Joseph Rafael was born to Arturo "Jun" Rafael and Shirley Rafael, a nurse, in Moreno Valley, California, on March 12, 1989.[a] Rafael's parents met singing in the same choir.[5][45] His parents came from Tondo, Manila, in the Philippines.[22][46] He has three sisters: Justine, Jasmine, and Aileen.[47][48][49] Able to comprehend Tagalog, Rafael in his youth consumed Filipino cuisine and attended Filipino parties.[46] His father, a pianist and choir director, died in September 1999 when Rafael was 10 years old.[4][5] After Rafael's mom remarried in 2020, Rafael gained three stepbrothers.[47] As a youth, Rafael accompanied his family in singing karaoke together.[17]

Rafael started taking piano classes when he was four or five years old, first from his father and later from a classical instructor.[46] Rafael's father hoped that his children would not pursue a career in music because of its financial instability.[49] Rafael said about his father, "He brought music in our lives, and I want to show him that I can make a career out of it and support my family because he didn't feel like he was."[45] After Rafael's father died, he assumed the piano playing responsibilities for their church which drove his passion in music.[3][13][46] Rafael identifies as Catholic and in his youth attended Moreno Valley's St. Patrick's Catholic Church.[50][51]

While in seventh grade at Vista Heights Middle School in

songwriting.[52][6] He has attributed Berklee professors Nancy Morris, Livingston Taylor, and Scarlet Keys as influences to his songwriting.[6] Rafael is a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers, and is friends with former Laker Jeremy Lin.[53]

In mid-2016, Rafael began dating Alyssa Navarro who in 2020 was a Walt Disney Studio employee in its "Multicultural Audience Engagement" organization.[8][54] During the COVID-19 pandemic in California, Rafael sheltered in place with Navarro in their Glendale, California, apartment. While Navarro worked, Rafael frequently played the piano, prompting Navarro to sing along. The couple's music subsequently was played on ABS-CBN and Good Morning America.[55] They have two dogs, Kitchie and Bean.[47] Rafael and Navarro became engaged on December 13, 2020, at the end of Crazy Talented Asians, a variety show he had created.[56] They married in August 2022, with Dante Basco officiating.[57][58]

Footnotes

  1. ^

References

  1. ^ Rafael, AJ (October 12, 2009). "100K Subscribers! Music Video Contest! WIN AN IPOD NANO! | AJ Rafael". Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ a b Rafael, AJ (January 3, 2021). "reaching 1 million subscribers before 2021... | AJ Rafael". Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Saitowitz, Paul (June 17, 2010). "AJ Rafael Is a Big Deal On YouTube. Social networking has made a Filipino-American from the Inland Empire a YouTube celebrity". OC Weekly. Archived from the original on October 12, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Policarpio, Allan (January 15, 2012). "YouTube star AJ Rafael here on SEA-Aussie tour". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Gaba, Elland (April 15, 2014). "Fil-Am AJ Rafael 'hates and loves' YouTube star label". Rappler. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Mahoney, Lesley (January 22, 2013). "Alumni Profile: AJ Rafael '10". Berklee College of Music. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Brien, Patrick (January 8, 2016). "Artist Spotlight: Musician AJ Rafael". The Press-Enterprise. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Biong, Ian (February 1, 2020). "YouTube star AJ Rafael thanks 'fans since middle school' in open letter; releases new song, music video". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on April 8, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Cruze-ing to Vegas: Battle of the Bands". Billboard. May 14, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  10. ^
    Orange County Register. Archived from the original
    on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d e Fukushima, Christine (July 6, 2011). "Singer AJ Rafael's Red Roses – After years of producing albums in his garage, independent musician AJ Rafaels first full-length album was recently released, thanks to the unwavering support of his fans". Pacific Citizen. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  12. ^
    Press-Enterprise. Archived
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  13. ^ a b c d Bose, Lilledeshan (November 25, 2009). "'Tube, Where's My Star?". Inland Empire Weekly. Archived from the original on November 29, 2009. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  14. ^ Ko, Nalea J (August 26, 2009). "Kollaboration Organizers Hope The Show Will Go On – The event, a showcase for AA talent, saw a dip in sponsorship and ticket sales this year". Pacific Citizen. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  15. ^ Kun, Josh (June 18, 2010). "Unexpected Harmony". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  16. ^ Letkemann, Jessica (May 19, 2011). "Gentlemen Hall Wins Billboard's Battle of the Bands Contest". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  17. ^ a b Donato, Jerry (January 16, 2012). "AJ Rafael: Online sensation". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  18. ^ Concepcion, Pocholo (November 9, 2011). "Fil-Am singer-songwriter in running for 2012 Grammy nominations". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on December 14, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  19. ^ a b c d e Concepcion, Pocholo (January 23, 2012). "Sincerity a key to AJ Rafael's success". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  20. ^ Buan-Deveza, Reyma (January 12, 2012). "AJ Rafael hopes to work with Charice". ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  21. ^ "Youtube singing sensation AJ Rafael performs on UKG". ABS-CBN. January 10, 2012. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  22. ^ a b c Dumaual, Mario (January 11, 2012). "YouTube star AJ Rafael says he's a Gary V fan". ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  23. ^ Ochoa, Dante (October 23, 2013). "Fil-Am version of 'TED Talks' spotlights inspiring personal journeys". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  24. ^ Dicioco, Alfred (July 17, 2013). "'Asians eat weird things' rap The Fung Brothers". Alhambra Source. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  25. ^ a b c Macasero, Ryan; Ong, Wyatt (July 10, 2014). "AJ Rafael on his tough year, hiatus, and musical evolution". Rappler. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  26. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .
  27. ^
    Newspapers.com
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  28. ^ Hamedy, Saba (February 25, 2016). "Maker Studios announces new original content program with dozens of creators". Mashable. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  29. ^ Aguilar, Krissy (October 18, 2018). "Watch: Moira dela Torre and AJ Rafael collab for Coke Studio". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  30. Press-Enterprise. Archived from the original
    on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  31. ^ Ang, Walter (May 7, 2019). "Joan Almedilla leads Fil-Am actors in 'Mamma Mia!' in LA". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  32. ^ Oriel, Christina M. (May 22, 2019). "Joan Almedilla, AJ Rafael, Jules Aurora Among Fil-Am Cast Of East West Players' "Mamma Mia!"". Asian Journal. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  33. ^ a b c d Ramos, Dino-Ray (November 19, 2020). "East West Players, AJ Rafael Set Virtual 'Crazy Talented Asians' Live Holiday Show Featuring Dante Basco, Isa Briones, Josh Dela Cruz And More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  34. ^ a b Biong, Ian (February 6, 2021). "Fil-Am musician AJ Rafael hits 1 million subs on YouTube". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  35. ^ Nepomuceno, Neil Patrick (February 7, 2021). "AJ Rafael hits 1 million subscribers on YouTube". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  36. ^ "Asian-American artists launch drive against virus-linked racism". Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 19, 2020. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  37. ^ a b Biong, Ian (May 28, 2020). "AJ Rafael urges Asian Americans to call out injustices against people of color following death of George Floyd". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  38. ^ Biong, Ian (June 10, 2020). "AJ Rafael urges fellow Filipinos to 'confront own colorism,' call out 'anti-blackness' culture". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  39. ^ Rafael, AJ [@ajRAFAEL] (September 15, 2014). "It's the 15-year death anniversary of my dad, Arturo "Jun" Rafael. We miss you a lot down here.… http://instagram.com/p/s-lg5OF0Hq/" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ Rafael, AJ [@ajRAFAEL] (October 7, 2020). "On this Debate Day, we stand in solidarity with our AAPI VP candidate @kamalaharris, and celebrate all the AAPI sheroes in our lives: This is my mom, Shirley. #SheRose up out of poverty in Manila, became a nurse, widowed twice (once w/my dad) and overcame #AAPISheRose @AAPI_Biden" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021 – via Twitter.
  41. ^ Rafael, AJ [@ajRAFAEL] (March 13, 2018). "Before the night ends, wanted to sing @TheRealGrimmie 's song "With Love". Always thinking of you, Christina! I'm honored to share a birthday with you!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021 – via Twitter.
  42. ^ Rafael, AJ [@ajRAFAEL] (March 12, 2015). "Thank you @KayzelMendoza and @JordynTaylorNow for being the first to call me on my birthday!!! Two of my favorite girls. Xo" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021 – via Twitter.
  43. ^ Rafael, AJ [@ajRAFAEL] (March 12, 2014). "It's officially my birthday!!!! Woooooo!!! Confetti ball. Party popper. Balloon 25!!!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021 – via Twitter.
  44. ^ Rafael, AJ [@ajRAFAEL] (March 13, 2017). "Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday today. Truly means a lot!!! Appreciate all of you who thought of me today! #28" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021 – via Twitter.
  45. ^
    MTV Networks. Archived from the original
    on November 19, 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  46. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .
  47. ^ a b c Rafael, AJ (March 13, 2021). "Turning 32 years old 🎉 it's my birfdayyy | AJ Rafael". Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  48. ^ Rafael, AJ [@ajRAFAEL] (January 25, 2018). "It's Here!!! 21st Video Of #Jamuary! The Greatest Showman / Dear Evan Hansen Mashup! This Is Me/You Will Be Found! featuring my amazing sister @rustinejafael. we wanna dedicate this to our other awesome sister, @jasminejrafael !" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021 – via Twitter.
  49. ^ a b Lee, Michelle (May 23, 2013). "Q&A: YouTube star AJ Rafael honored to perform at the Verizon Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Tour". Daily Bruin. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  50. Press-Enterprise. Archived
    from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  51. ^ Rafael, AJ [@ajRAFAEL] (November 27, 2013). "@celinafojas: @ajRAFAEL Aj, are you catholic? @ajRAFAEL: @celinafojas yeah i am" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021 – via Twitter.
  52. ^ Rubenfire, Adam (August 6, 2014). "Fine-Art Students Get Lessons in Business". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  53. ^ Angeles, Steve (April 15, 2015). "Why Filipinos have a special place in Jeremy Lin's heart". ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  54. Verizon Media. Archived from the original
    on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  55. ^ "AJ Rafel and East West Players Present a Streaming Holiday Edition of 'Crazy Talented Asians'". Rafu Shimpo. December 10, 2020. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  56. ^ Rafael, AJ (December 15, 2020). "proposing to my girlfriend | AJ Rafael". Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021 – via YouTube.
  57. ^ Rafael, AJ [@ajRAFAEL] (August 8, 2022). "I got married this weekend to the love of my life. We have been through a lot in the last 6 years. I'm so grateful to have gotten to this moment in our journeys. Can't wait for more @alyssUGH ✨ 📸: kpixhi" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022 – via Twitter.
  58. ^ Rafael, AJ. "The fact that he said the word HONOR 3 times for our ceremony 😭 love u bro @rufiozuko". TikTok. Retrieved August 27, 2022.

External links

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