The singer/songwriter from the Cape Flats, who turns 23 this month, is excited about his R&B/soul career and his accomplishments. What makes it more exceptional is that he’s done it without the backing of a record company. “I guess I gave myself my own big break,” says Jarrad. “I went to Eclipse studios with seven songs and started recording at my own cost.” It wasn’t easy getting airtime on radio, but Heart 104.9 picked up the single “Let It Go”. “From there it snowballed. Good Hope FM and KFM picked it up and now it’s played across the country on 25 radio stations.” His management company, Stereotype Records, helps boost his image and gigs are rolling in. While Jarrad seems cool and collected on stage, he’s the first to admit that he is always scared when doing live performances. “I’ve been performing since 16, but something could always go wrong. It could be sound, my voice or even props. It’s not a controlled environment, but I make the best of it.”

I’ve had to work hard. Sometimes I prepare material during my lunch hour, and then I record at night

Besides having his song played on 25 radio stations, his highlight so far was when he met jazz guitarist Jimmy Dludlu. “That was just, wow! He came on stage after I performed at the Ubuntu Festival, I was so fortunate to be there”. While it seems that fame has come relatively easily for Jarrad, that’s not the case. He has a full-time job as a magazine designer, besides squeezing in time to sing. “I’ve had to work hard. Sometimes I prepare material during my lunch hour, and then I record at night.” But was it worth it? “Yes,” Jarrad says emphatically. “If you want this, you have to slave away for it, you have to plan and think strategically, surround yourself with the right people and remember that not having a deal with a record label is not an obstacle.”

Look out for Jarrad’s eponymous debut album, Jarrad Ricketts, in June.

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Jarrad by stereotype



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