J*Ras of SouLifted

Coming from the hills of Northern California, J*Ras of SouLifted has been consistently turning heads and opening minds across the nation with his uplifting message and high energy stage show. After an exciting year of touring around the U.S. in 2013 performing and hosting at events including Van's Warped Tour, Reggae in the Hills Festival, Lake Tahoe Reggae Festival, Wildfire Reggae Festival, and his first National headlining tour with the SouLifted Band; J*Ras is back in the studio getting ready to release his second solo album which is appropriately titled "Find My Way". The album is a journey through his original blend of modern roots reggae, conscious hip hop, and high energy dancehall sounds that perfectly showcase his diverse vocal abilities and musical influences. J*Ras & SouLifted bring forth a refreshing new sound with a positive vibe and a message to inspire change. His hand-crafted beats and grooves are lovingly complimented with a steady flow of conscious lyrics, positive messages of personal empowerment, self-realization, and strength in the struggles of life. J*Ras is an infectious performer who always lights up the stage, getting people to dance and smile no matter what their age or musical preference. After growing up watching his father emcee and host countless events, it was only natural for J*Ras to pick up the microphone at a young age. His love for music showed early on and he was already performing conscious hip hop and reggae style songs as early as the fifth grade when he did his rendition of Arrested Development’s hit song “Mr.Wendell” at his elementary school’s talent show. Years later, J*Ras found his identity as an emcee and DJ in the hip hop group Hypothetically Lost Souls where he was given the name Intalect1 for his incredible ability to freestyle about anything at any moment. In 1999, at the age of fifteen J*Ras began putting together shows locally. Eventually, he joined together with his sister, international singer/songwriter J Ross Parrelli, to form the group Heart Life and Soul who began touring up and down the west coast performing at major music festivals by 2004. After one independent release with Heart Life and Soul and countless shows, J*Ras and other members of HLS combined with some of Northern California’s most talented musicians to form the band SouLifted, who released their debut album “Higher” in 2008. Today, whether performing solo or backed by the SouLifted Band, J*Ras continues to spread his positive message and love for music to audiences of all ages around the world. J*Ras has shared the stage with legends and current stars of many different music genres including reggae/dancehall artists Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, Yellowman, Capleton, Kymani Marley, Bushman, Collie Buddz, Prezident Brown, Junior Reid, Pressure, Mykal Rose (Black Uhuru), Pato Banton, and Groundation; Hip Hop artists including Talib Kweli, Wu Tang Clan, Blackalicious, Living Legends, Lyrics Born, and more. J*Ras has performed in many different venues from elementary school demonstrations in low income neighborhoods, to clubs, special events, and music festivals of all kinds including: Vans Warped Tour, Reggae in the Hills Festival, Lake Tahoe Reggae Festival, NW World Music Festival, Bobolink Music Festival, Sierra Nevada World Music Fest, Mt. Shasta and Cisco Grove Renegade Festivals, One Root World Festival, Sacramento Unity Festival, Best of the Bay Reggae Fest, Gold Country Fair, and many more. Recently J*Ras has begun to explore his passion for teaching and giving back to the youth in his community and the surrounding areas. He is an Artist Development Coordinator and youth mentor for the Auburn Hip Hop Congress, which is a non-profit organization that educates, motivates and inspires the youth through hip hop music and culture. The Sacramento State University alum has taught hip hop, reggae, and creative writing courses in Junior High & High Schools, organized artist development seminars, and given live demonstrations on turntables, emceeing, audio recording and more. Check out www.auburnhiphopcongress.com for more information on this amazing organization that is making a huge impact on their community! Although J*Ras started his career as an emcee, his talents stretch far beyond just being a vocalist or event host. He is also a producer, recording engineer, dj, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist featured on multiple albums including: SouLifted's debut album "Higher", Soul Medic's albums "Soul Medication" and “Now You Know”, Mendo Dope’s album “Planter of the Trees”, Wild Oak Music Group's "Peace of Mind" Compilation CD, and more. J*Ras & SouLifted are sponsored by Calibis Clothing Co.(www.calibisclothingco.com), Silver Surfer Vaporizers (www.silversurfervap.com), Academy Snowboards (www.academysnowboards.com), Singing Bird Family Farm (www.singingbirdfarm.com), and Pure Anywear (www.pureanywear.com). J*Ras and SouLifted have emerged onto the national music scene and are making a big impact throughout the North West and beyond with their highly uplifting original music. SouLifted's debut album "Higher" is available online and at select retailers nationwide. The debut J*Ras album "City of Trees" which features Prezident Brown, Soulmedic, & more is also available nationwide and online at iTunes, Amazon, www.jrasmusic.com, Ernie B's & more! Look for the brand new J*Ras & SouLifted album “Find My Way” and 2Blessed Short film from their nationwide tour coming in early 2014! Check the website for more info and updates on new music, videos, tour dates, merch, and more. Help us spread this grassroots movement of “high energy music to get you lifted” by sharing our pages on your social networks! 2Blessed 2Stress Now available for booking worldwide in 2014! For More info Contact: Jarret Ross (916) 390-3154 souliftedmusic@yahoo.com www.soulifted.com www.jrasmusic.com www.reverbnation.com/soulifted www.facebook.com/jrasmusic www.twitter.com/jrasmusic www.youtube.com/jrasmusic www.soundcloud.com/jrasmusic www.jrasmusic.com www.instagram.com/jrasmusic www.twitter.com/jrasmusic www.soundcloud.com/jrasmusic Reggae, hip hop, & good vibes from Northern Cali!