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18 The Clinton Courier June 15, 2021 Jarekus Singleton puts his own stamp on the blues Special to The Clinton Courier cisco, the North Atlantic Blues Festival, tracks from that CD continue to play the PA Blues Festival, the Mississippi in regular rotation on B.B. King's At 36 years old, Jarekus Singleton Valley Blues Festival, Heritage Music Bluesville on SiriusXM Radio, the has been described as a musical trail- Blues Festival, the Cincinnati Blues most-listened-to blues radio station in blazer with a bold vision for the future Festival, and the Festival International the world. of the blues. His cutting-edge sound - du Blues de Tremblant in Quebec. Singleton was named a "star on the equally rooted in rap, rock and blues Born into a family of church musi- rise" by Blues & Rhythm magazine in traditions - is all his own. He melds cians and vocalists on July 11, 1984, the UK. Guitar Center named him the hip-hop wordplay, rock energy and in Clinton, Singleton was immersed 2011 King of the Blues in Mississippi. R&B grooves with contemporary and in gospel music as a child. Taught by He received the Jackson Music Award traditional blues, turning audiences of his uncle, he began playing bass guitar for 2012 Blues Artist of the Year and all ages into devoted fans. With his un- at age nine in his grandfather's church for 2013 Local Artist of the Year. The tamed guitar licks and strong, soulful band. He later switched to lead guitar Jackson Free Press named him the voice effortlessly moving from fero- and began to sharpen his instrumental 2013 Best Local Blues Artist. Living cious and funky to slow and steamy to and vocal skills, Blues praised Singleton for his “emo- smoking hot, Singleton is known as a falling in love with the music of all tional intensity,” saying he "blends fresh, electrifying bluesman bursting at three Kings (B.B., Albert and Freddie) styles and elements across genres and the seams with talent. as well as Stevie Ray Vaughan, rap- generations.” Singleton's debut album, Refuse To pers Twista and Jay-Z, and even coun- Audiences at his shows run the Lose, features original songs all sung try artist Brad Paisley. In his late teens, gamut from older blues fans to young- with a natural storyteller’s voice. Pro- Singleton pursued a career in basket- er rockers and rap aficionados, all of duced by Singleton along with Alliga- ball, becoming a top-seeded national whom call him their own. tor Records’ president Bruce Iglauer player in college until an injury took “Blues is honest music," says Sin- and recorded at PM Music in Mem- him back to his music full time. gleton, who, with Refuse To Lose, is phis, the album has been lauded as an For a short period, he performed as determined to put his own stamp on impossible-to-ignore first step onto the a rap artist, writing his own lyrics. Be- the genre. "I love the blues tradition, world stage. fore long, though, he began combining and have always been inspired by the Singleton has performed at clubs and his rap wordsmithing with the music masters. But I want to create some- festivals across the U.S. and Canada, of his Mississippi heritage, creating thing for today's audience that is as including two times at the world-re- Special to The Clinton Courier a modern, updated take on the blues. original and new as those blues mas- nowned Chicago Blues Festival, as well In 2009, he formed The Jarekus Sin- ters were when they first started mak- Jarekus Singleton is one of two Clinton ing records. I want to create blues for as at Springing the Blues Festival in natives who will headline the 31st annual gleton Blues Band and self-released Florida, Biscuits and Blues in San Fran- Family Fireworks Extravaganza on July 4 his first CD, Heartfelt, in 2011. Three the 21st century.” ACADEMICS If you plan to pursue a bachelor’s Wherever degree from a university, choose academics and save on tuition for you’re going... your first two years. CAREER/TECHNICAL You Can Many professions don’t require a Get THERE From bachelor’s degree. 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