Frankie J Biography

Frankie J
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Frankie J

Background information
Birth name Francisco Javier Bautista Jr.
Also known as Frankie J, Cisko
Born December 7, 1978 (1978-12-07) (age 30)
Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Origin San Diego, California, United States
Genres Latin, R&B, Pop, Reggaeton, Hip-Hop
Occupations Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Record Producer, Pianist, Dancer, Actor
Instruments Vocals, Piano
Years active 2003–Present (Solo)
Labels Sony BMG Music (2003-Present)
Associated acts Kumbia Kings, Abraham Quintanilla III, Cruz Martínez, DJ Kane, Kumbia All Starz, Los Super Reyes, Baby Bash
Website http://www.frankiejonline.com

Frankie J (born Francisco Javier Bautista, Jr. on December 7, 1978) is a Mexican American Latin pop and adult contemporary singer.1 A native speaker of the Spanish language, he has had several hits in the United States, including "Don't Wanna Try" in 2003 and "Obsession" in 2005.2 His album The One debuted at #3 on the Billboard album charts in April 2005 & later was classified platinum by RIAA.3 For some time, he had also been a member of the musical group Kumbia Kings.4

Contents

Biography

Early career

He was born Francisco Javier Bautista, Jr. in Tijuana,Mexico and raised in San Diego, California, from the age of 2, after his uncle brought him and his siblings in the United States, but never returned to Mexico again.5 His father being the lead singer of a traditional band and his grandfather Feliciano Bautista being a violinist, Frankie J grew up listening to both traditional Latin music as well as American urban music.6 He attended Southwest Senior High School in San Diego.5 He later began to develop more interest in singing, with the encouragement of his family. At high school age, he began participating in talent shows and performing at school functions.1

In 1997, Frankie J signed with the now defunct Hola Recordings, the brainchild of dance music legend and producer Jellybean Benitez. He, in 1999, became a member of the Kumbia Kings.6

Kumbia Kings (1999-2003)

In 1999 he became a member of the Kumbia Kings created by A.B. Quintanilla III, brother of Selena. He performed under the name Cisko. Members included A.B. Quintanilla (bass, background vocals), DJ Kane (born Jason Cano; lead vocals), Frankie J/Cisko (born Francisco Javier Bautista, Jr; vocals), Baby Drew (born Andrew Maes; vocals), Cruz Martínez (keyboards), Alex Ramirez (keyboards), Roy "Slim" Ramirez (percussion, background vocals), Frankie Aranda (percussion), Jorge Peña (percussion), Jesse Martinez (drums), and Robert Del Moral (drums). They released their debut album Amor, Familia Y Respeto in 1999. The album included hit singles like "Azúcar", "Fuiste Mala", "Reggae Kumbia", "Te Quiero A Ti" and "Se Fue Mi Amor". In 2001 they released their second album Shhh! which included the singles "Shhh!", "Boom Boom" and "Desde Que No Estás Aquí". In 2002 the group released their third album called All Mixed Up: Los Remixes which included the single "La Cucaracha". Cisko then started perform under the name Frankie J. In 2003 they released their fourth album called 4 which included the hit singles "No Tengo Dinero", "Insomnio" and "Mi Gente". They also released the albums Presents Kumbia Kings repackaged English-language highlights from the group's back catalog and La Historia repackaged Spanish-language ones. Later in 2003, Frankie J was one of the original Kumbia Kings members to leave the band along with lead singer DJ Kane and other members of the band because they weren't happy with their pay. Andrew "Baby Drew" Maes, Alex Ramirez, Roy "Slim" Ramirez, and Frankie Aranda formed their own band called K1 while DJ Kane and Frankie J went on to become solo singers.

Solo Career (2003-Present)

Frankie J signed as a solo artist with Columbia Records and released his first album What's A Man To Do in 2003. His self-titled first Spanish-language album Frankie J was released later in the same year.7 The single "Don't Wanna Try" peaked in the top 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Chart, while "Ya No Es Igual" was top 10 on the World Latin charts .2

He was featured in the single "Suga Suga" by rapper Baby Bash.8 Frankie J worked with a number of well known producers on his next album The One including Irv Gotti of Murder Inc. on the title track, as well as Bryan-Michael Cox and Mario Winans. The album was released in March 2005.9 Its hit singles included "Obsession (No Es Amor)" featuring rapper Baby Bash (a copy of the 3rd Wish European version which was produced by Mintman) , originally composed and recorded by Latin bachata group Aventura, followed by the solo singles "How To Deal" and "More Than Words", a cover song of a 1990 hit by the band Extreme. Frankie J's cover of "More Than Words" was released on the DualDisc bonus track version of The One in October 2005.10 By April 2005, the album had sold 300,000 copies.11 His second Spanish-language album Un Nuevo Dia was released on June 13, 2006. It spawned the single "Pensado En Ti".2

Frankie's third English-language CD, Priceless, was released in stores and online on October 17, 2006. It debuted at #30 on the Billboard 200.12 The video for "That Girl" was shot in Miami in July featured Chamillionaire and Mannie Fresh.

On February 2007, Frankie J together with Latino celebrities, including Don Omar, Paola Turbay, Edgar Lopez, Miguel Varoni, Leti Coo, and Mary GamarraTazón played in the National Football League (NFL) Latino I/Latin Bowl I.13 Frankie J appeared a celebrity guest in the third season of MTV's reality game show Yo Momma in 2007.14

In a December 7, 2007 interview with San Diego, CA based radio station KHTS, he announced that he was at work on his fourth English studio album, and that he had been working with the Avlia Brothers and R&B singer Sam Salter.[1] On June 5 2008 a video single was released on YouTube entitled "Pictures."

He also appeared as a celebrity guest at the 16th birthday party of Marissa Mishelle on MTV's My Super Sweet 16.15

Frankie J was an opening act for Britney Spears' 2007 promo tour The M+M's Tour.

Recently, Frankie has been in the studio working on his newest album with songwriter/producers, Feli Fel of Power 106 fame, DJ Eric Delux, Manny Guevara (Manny on the Streets of 102.7 KIIS FM fame), Eddie Galan and the entire Mach 1 Music, and Emile from the Insomniax.

A digital single, If You Were My Girlfriend was released to iTunes on July 7, 2009.

Discography

Albums

Album Information
What's A Man To Do
The One
Priceless

Spanish Albums

Album Information
Frankie J
Un Nuevo Dia
  • Released: June 13, 2006
  • Chart positions: #198 US, #9 US Latin, #65 UK, #31 AUS, #22 CAN, #49 GER, #5 MEX, #71 NZE
  • US Sales: 485,000+
  • WW Sales: 855,000+
  • RIAA certification: Gold
  • Singles: "Pensando En Ti"

Other Appearances

Charts

References

  1. ^ a b Winters, Kelly (2006). "Frankie J. Biography". MusicianGuide.com. http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608004783/Frankie-J.html. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  2. ^ a b c "Frankie J - Billboard Singles". Allmusic. 2006. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0nfuxq85ldae~T51. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  3. ^ "Platinum R&B Celebrity Frankie J Honored by RIAA and Releases Album Priceless". 2006-10-17. http://www.the-torch.com/2006/10/17/platinum-rb-celebrity-frankie-j-honored-by-riaa-and-releases-album-priceless/. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  4. ^ Birchmeier, Jason (2007). "Los Kumbia Kings - Biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:09foxqtkldhe~T1. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  5. ^ a b Devenish, Colin (2003-05-29). "Frankie J. Back At School". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/frankiej/articles/story/5935487/frankie_j_back_at_school. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  6. ^ a b Kellman, Andy (2006). "Frankie J - Biography". http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0nfuxq85ldae~T1. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 
  7. ^ Kellman, Andy (2003). ""Frankie J" - Overview". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jxfoxqyaldfe. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  8. ^ Sendra, Tim (2003). ""Now, Vol. 14" - Overview". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kvfoxq8aldse. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  9. ^ Kellman, Andy (2005). ""The One" - Overview". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:dzfexqqsldke. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  10. ^ Kellman, Andy (2005). ""The One [DualDisc Bonus Track" - Overview]". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jifrxqydldke. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  11. ^ "Second Cup: Frankie J". CBS News. 2005-04-22. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/22/earlyshow/saturday/secondcup/main690334.shtml. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  12. ^ "Frankie J - Billboard Albums". 2006. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0nfuxq85ldae~T50. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  13. ^ Rocha, Isaac (2007-01-24). "NFL Tackles Hispanic Fans". MasBakersfield.com. http://www.masbakersfield.com/home/ViewPost/18873. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  14. ^ The Week's Finest | Video | Yo Momma Atlanta: Best of the Week (Full Episode 320) | MTV
  15. ^ My Super Sweet 16-Marissa

External links

v • d • e
Frankie J
Albums
Singles
"Don't Wanna Try" · "Ya No Es Igual" · "We Still" · "Obsession (No Es Amor)" · "How To Deal" · "More Than Words" · "The One" · "Pensando En Ti" · "That Girl" · "Daddy's Little Girl" · "If He Can't Be" · "Never Let You Down" · "Pictures" · "If You Were My Girlfriend"
Featured singles
"Suga Suga" · "Menage A Trois" · "Run Away" · "You Are Still Alone" · "Be Gone" · "Demasiado Tarde" · Los Infieles (Remix)" · "Perfect Girl" · "Tell Me" · "To The Top" · "Slow It Down" · "Eres (Remix)"
Related articles
v • d • e
Kumbia Kings
A.B. Quintanilla · Cruz Martínez · DJ Kane · Frankie J · Drew · Nando · Pangie · Abel Talamantez · Pee Wee · Jo-Joe · Nino B · JP · Chris Pérez · Luigi Giraldo · BoBBo · Gipper · Slim · Alex · Robbie · Jesse "O'Jay" Martinez · Frankie Aranda · Jorge Pena · Pekas · Campa · Jacob Ceniceros · Chris Dominguez
Albums
Singles
Featured singles
DVDs
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