‘Holla’ at Black Eyed Peas vocalist J. Rey Soul

Jessica Joy Seria Reynoso, known professionally as J. Rey Soul, is a Filipino-American singer known for participating in the first season of The Voice of the Philippines and collaborating and touring with the Black Eyed Peas since 2018 and leading their tours across the globe alongside will.i.am, APL.DE.AP and Taboo. 

This talented singer, songwriter, and performer has recorded numerous songs with the group including “MAMACITA” with Black Eyed Peas & Ozuna and “PULL UP” with will.i.am & Nile. Besides her work with the band, she has an established solo career, recently releasing catchy pop songs, “HOLLA” and “It’s Saturday” with DJ Youcef & will.i.am. Her background story is incredible – from her adoption in the Philippines to shining from the biggest stages in the world alongside Black Eyed Peas.

She has appeared on multiple tracks from 2018’s Masters of the Sun Vol. 1, including “Yes or No,” “Constant pt. 1 pt. 2” [feat. Slick Rick], “Vibrations pt. 1 pt. 2,” “Ring the Alarm pt. 1 pt. 2 pt. 3.” Her presence could be heard loud and clear on the group’s blockbuster 2020 comeback album, Translation, which crashed charts worldwide and generated billions of streams. 

She turned up on the gold-certified single “Mamacita” [with Ozuna & J Rey Soul] and “Tonta Love.” Meanwhile, “Mamacita” garnered a nomination for “Latin Pop Song of the Year” at the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards, “Crossover Collaboration of the Year” at the Premio Lo Nuestro Awards, and Best Latin at the MTV VMA where they also delivered a show-stopping performance.

She accompanied the Black Eyed Peas on a massive global tour, performing to sold-out audiences around the world. 2022 saw her ignite “FILIPINA QUEEN” and the single “DOUBLE D’Z” on ELEVATION.

We had the chance to chat with J. Rey about how she went from competing on The Voice to becoming the voice of an iconic band, what she loves (and doesn’t) about being on the road, and the biggest beauty tip she can share in our exclusive interview. We also put her to the test with the Socialite Seven.

Where did your passion for music come from? 

My passion for music came from, I'd say, when I was very young, growing up in the Philippines. I was adopted as a kid and raised by both Filipino parents, and my mother, who raised me, loves music so much. You know, she would sing around the house and then I would listen to her.

And then, every time I would listen to Whitney Houston songs and records, it would just move me. So that's when my passion for music came from – my family and being around the Filipino culture as well. We love to sing. You can see a karaoke machine in every street in the Philippines.

You had mentioned Whitney Houston. Who are some of your other musical influences? 

I'd say Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Mariah Carey, all that, the legends Aretha Franklin, and of course the contemporary side of the new ones, Beyoncé and Rihanna who I really love as well.

How would you describe your musical style?

I would say soul fusion. I don't want to be put in a box. One day we could be doing pop music or dance records. Another day we could be doing Latin music. We have been doing Latin music and then the next day I could be doing some ballads and soulful R&B. So yeah, I’d say soulful fusion

Speaking of style, you rock a lot of very fierce fashions in your videos. Do you have a favorite look out of the videos that you've done so far?

I would say the “Mamacita” look would be the most iconic one. I love that high fashion street that we gave that video. And it was really great working with Alessandro Michele for that video as well. He was the creative director of Gucci. I would say that was my favorite look so far as of yet.

You competed on The Voice of the Philippines and usually the people that don't win these reality shows seem to be the bigger successes. What was that experience like for you? 

I think it was very challenging. It's a competition and I was the youngest one in the competition. So, it brought a lot of pressure, but I feel like it opened a lot of opportunities and doors for me because that's how I met one of the guys from the Black Eyed Peas, wil.i.am.  He saw me, he felt like we were kindred spirits. And, when he saw me, he saw that I had the potential to make it internationally. So, yeah, that's where everything started for me. It's been very challenging, but it opened a lot of opportunities and doors. 

I've been a fan of the Black Eyed Peas since “Request Line”. What was it like to join such a well-known band? 

Amazing. I feel like I'm living the dream. Definitely. Because I remember when I was in school growing up, me and my friends would be dancing to Black Eyed Peas music, you know, so I never thought that I would be traveling and touring the world and I'm just so lucky and honored to be learning from such icons and be working with them. 

Now you mentioned touring. What is what is the best thing about touring for you? 

For me, the best thing about touring would be connecting with fans in different countries. And of course, another thing would be getting to travel the world, seeing different cultures. Experiencing different cultures, the food, and just seeing the world. That would be the best thing. And are you going to ask me about the bad side of touring?

I wasn't going to get into the negative, but you can tell me.

I mean, I love touring so much to be honest with you. I love touring because I love traveling and I love seeing the world. I love connecting with fans and meeting different people from different cultures. The bad side is just dealing with jet lag. That's it.  And it's also very challenging as a singer vocally because I have to deal with time changes and sleep.

This last tour was a bit challenging for me. We did two months all over Europe and in the middle, I was kind of losing my voice for the first time, but I pushed through it, with the love and energy the fans are giving us every night, you just can't do anything but give it back to them. I just thank God for sustaining me.

Do you have a favorite song to perform live? 

I would say “Mamacita” would be my favorite song to perform live. One's because it's one of my records and another thing is at the end of “Mamacita”, I'm able to incorporate classic songs. Like right now, after “Mamacita”, I do “I'm Every Woman” by Whitney Houston in the same chord progression or sometimes I would do “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” with the same chord progression. I really have fun performing that song. That's my moment on tour. So yeah, that would be my favorite song to perform. My favorite Black Eyed Peas song to perform is “Where is the Love?” just because of the message. It's a classic, timeless record. So yeah, I really love that song as well.

Besides working with the Black Eyed Peas and your solo career, are there other artists that you'd like to work with?

Ooh, definitely. I would say my top is still Bruno Mars. I think he's really, really talented. And I respect him so much as a musician, entertainer, and a songwriter. And, of course in the Latin world, I would say Bad Bunny and Rosalía.

Are there any genres of music that you'd still like to explore? 

Ooh, that I would like to explore genres and music. I think we've been doing like different stuff. Doing pop, like dance, I'm doing Latin music, reggaeton, we do a little bit of Afrobeats.  I think definitely Afrobeats, and also house music I really like this DJ, his name is Black Coffee, and also this this house DJ crew named Keinemusik, so I think a song with them would be a fun thing to, you know, to do.

What do you want to accomplish with your music? 

I just want my music to uplift to inspire and to connect with people. Because that's what I felt when I was listening to the songs such as “Where is the Love?” when I was growing up. It touched my heart.

I was listening to “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera. I was like, oh my god, this is my song. When I was going through tough times and I didn't feel like I belonged, I was growing up in the Philippines being the only black girl. I would listen to the song and it says, you know, I'm beautiful, no matter what they say.  Words can't bring me down. I want a song that would make an impact and that could uplift people.  Either it could uplift people or bring joy. That's what I want.

What is your biggest beauty tip? 

My biggest beauty tip is first, confidence. Second would be hydration. Drink a lot of water. It helps a lot and keeps your skin glowing.  And then, kindness. You know, when you're kind, it shines from within.

What is next for you?

So, well, right now, I'm touring with the Black Eyed Peas. We're making music. And I also have my solo music happening. The next few months we're releasing songs. wil.i.am is executive producing my album and then I am signed to Sony, Epic Records. So that's very exciting. Yeah, just more music coming out for me and touring with the Black Eyed Peas.

J. Rey Answers the Socialite Seven

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Rude people. That's my biggest pet peeve – or negative people. I like positivity. I like optimism. So yeah, my biggest pet peeve would be like rude and negative people.

Who would your fans be surprised to know that you're a fan of?

Hmm. Who?  I would say, I don't think they would be surprised.  I'd say right now, literally, Keinemusik.  They'd be like, wow, really?

Who would you want to play you in the movie of your life? 

Ooh, damn.  Ooh right now, I think, I'd just say Zendaya, just because she's so pretty and she's so talented. But also, there's this actress I saw in this movie called The Woman King, the little girl on that movie. I think she's really talented. She's a great actress. She could be someone that could play me in the younger years. It's a little hard because Zendaya and I, we're like the same age. So, I don't know. 

What superpower or talent would you like to wake up with tomorrow?

Ooh, superpower.  I would say healing. If I could heal, that would be like incredible and beautiful, I think. But I guess what I do is some sort of healing as well – not to that extent. I think music could be a form of healing.  So yeah, healing, right? 

What are three things you can't live without?

Three things I can't live without. First is music.  Second, my loved ones, my family.  And third is my faith. I'd say God.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Perfect happiness would be having freedom to do what you love whenever you want with the people you love – and having peace as well.

What is the best piece of advice you've been given? 

Best piece of advice I've been give…hmmm…stay true to yourself.  Yeah. I would say that. Stay true to yourself. Be authentic. I think that's something that the guys like Will, Tab and Ap, told me, you know, stay authentic, be true to yourself. Don't lose yourself along the way, especially in this industry. So yeah, just being true to yourself. 

Listen to “Holla” wherever you stream music. Keep up with J. Rey Soul on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Spotify.

Last update on 2024-09-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API