JRDN
Encyclopedia
Ralph Jordan Croucher better known by his stage name
JRDN (born October 17,1978) is a Canadian
recording artist. Croucher’s upbringing was split between Halifax, Nova Scotia
and Toronto
, Ontario, Canada. He also currently serves as a Youth Ambassador for D250 and was a delegate in the Citizen Voices program.
in the same building as King Lou from Dream Warriors
. The jazz rap pioneer introduced Croucher to hip hop culture at this time.
Croucher attended St. Francis Xavier University
where he played on the basketball team. After graduation he played professionally for one year in France.
Croucher returned to Halifax to work as an outreach worker to mentor at risk high school students. It was at this time in Halifax that he began to focus seriously on music. Previously, he had sung national anthems at sporting events and played in a cover band called Shades of Groove.
Currently JRDN is signed to Kuya Productions and is managed by CP Management.
. This gave him an opportunity to perform with Canadian talent, while gaining television exposure.
He also worked with Halifax producer Trobiz and recorded mixtapes with the groups N.E.P and Triple Threat. In 2007, Croucher he began to work with producer and Classified
who produced Croucher’s debut album No Dress Code in 2007.
Galaxie Rising Star prize at the 2007 African Nova Scotian Music Awards show, a nomination for Best Urban Single at the 2008 East Coast Music Awards and an appearance on the CBC Television special, Barenaked East Coast Music. He toured across Canada with Classified
and Maestro
and opened for Ne-Yo
, Snoop Dogg
, Rihanna
, Nas
and Juelz Santana
.
, Mase
, Ginuwine
, Jesse McCartney
, Nicole Scherzinger
and Akon
. JRDN signed to Kuya Productions in 2009.
IAMJRDN
is the official debut album by JRDN and was released on November 9, 2010. Since its release the album debuted at number 13 on the Canadian R&B Albums Chart.
Off his debut album, the first single "U Can Have It All" brought him to mainstream success by reaching number 20 on the Canadian Hot 100
and the music video reached number 5 on the MuchMusic Countdown. The second "Like Magic" reached number 24 on the Canadian Hot 100 with its music video topping the MuchMusic Countdown.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
JRDN (born October 17,1978) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
recording artist. Croucher’s upbringing was split between Halifax, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
and Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario, Canada. He also currently serves as a Youth Ambassador for D250 and was a delegate in the Citizen Voices program.
Early life
Ralph Jordan Croucher was born in Halifax but grew up in Toronto until age 11 when his family returned to Nova Scotia. In Toronto, he lived at Jane Street and Finch AvenueFinch Avenue
Finch Avenue is an arterial thoroughfare and concession road which travels east–west through the city of Toronto. The road also has short extensions into Peel and Durham Regions as Peel Regional Road 2 and Durham Regional Road 37.-History:...
in the same building as King Lou from Dream Warriors
Dream Warriors
Dream Warriors were a Canadian hip hop duo from Toronto, Ontario, comprising King Lou and Capital Q. Described as "a pair of deft, intelligent rappers" by Allmusic, they were major contributors to the jazz rap movement of the early 1990s. Their 1991 debut album, And Now the Legacy Begins, is...
. The jazz rap pioneer introduced Croucher to hip hop culture at this time.
Croucher attended St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
where he played on the basketball team. After graduation he played professionally for one year in France.
Croucher returned to Halifax to work as an outreach worker to mentor at risk high school students. It was at this time in Halifax that he began to focus seriously on music. Previously, he had sung national anthems at sporting events and played in a cover band called Shades of Groove.
Currently JRDN is signed to Kuya Productions and is managed by CP Management.
Career Overview
Jordan gained music experience by competing in Canadian IdolCanadian Idol
Canadian Idol is a Canadian reality television competition show which aired on CTV, based on the British show Pop Idol. The show was a competition to find the most talented young singer in Canada, and was hosted by Ben Mulroney. Jon Dore was the "roving reporter" for the first three seasons...
. This gave him an opportunity to perform with Canadian talent, while gaining television exposure.
He also worked with Halifax producer Trobiz and recorded mixtapes with the groups N.E.P and Triple Threat. In 2007, Croucher he began to work with producer and Classified
Classified (rapper)
Luke Boyd , professionally known as Classified, is a Canadian rapper and producer from Enfield, Nova Scotia.-Career:...
who produced Croucher’s debut album No Dress Code in 2007.
2007: No Dress Code
The 13-track record featured singles and videos for "Selfish Times", "Feelin’ Fine", "So Addicted", "Won't Let Go" and "It’s Raining". It earned Croucher the CBCCanadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
Galaxie Rising Star prize at the 2007 African Nova Scotian Music Awards show, a nomination for Best Urban Single at the 2008 East Coast Music Awards and an appearance on the CBC Television special, Barenaked East Coast Music. He toured across Canada with Classified
Classified (rapper)
Luke Boyd , professionally known as Classified, is a Canadian rapper and producer from Enfield, Nova Scotia.-Career:...
and Maestro
Maestro (rapper)
Wesley Williams , better known as Maestro and formerly Maestro Fresh-Wes, is a Canadian rapper, record producer, and actor. His pioneering status and outstanding achievements have led to him being referred to as the "Godfather of Canadian hip hop".In 1989 he became the first Canadian rapper to have...
and opened for Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
, Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
, Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
and Juelz Santana
Juelz Santana
LaRon Louis James , better known by his stage name Juelz Santana, is an American rapper, producer, and actor. He appeared on Cam'ron's 2002 singles, "Oh Boy" and "Hey Ma"...
.
2010: Breakthrough success & IAMJRDN
Shortening his name to JRDN, Croucher worked with Toronto's Kuya Productions and the songwriting and production team of Sammy Blues and Bobby Brass, who've worked with NellyNelly
Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. , better known by his stage name Nelly, is an Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly began his solo career in 2000 with his debut album...
, Mase
Mase
Mason Durell Betha , better known by stage name Mase who was previously known as Murda Ma$e, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and inspirational speaker...
, Ginuwine
Ginuwine
Elgin Baylor Lumpkin , better known by his stage name Ginuwine is an American singer-songwriter and actor. Signed to Epic Records since the mid-1990s, Ginuwine had released a number of multi-platinum and platinum-selling albums and singles, becoming one of R&B's top artists during the late 1990's...
, Jesse McCartney
Jesse McCartney
Jesse McCartney is an American singer-songwriter, actor and voice actor. McCartney achieved fame in the late 1990s on the daytime drama All My Children as JR Chandler. He later joined boy band Dream Street, and eventually branched out into a solo musical career...
, Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
and Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
. JRDN signed to Kuya Productions in 2009.
IAMJRDN
IAMJRDN
IAMJRDN is the official debut studio album by Canadian R&B singer JRDN. The album features the hit singles, "U Can Have It All" and "Like Magic", which both peaked at #20 and #24 on the Canadian Hot 100 respectively. It was released on November 9, 2010....
is the official debut album by JRDN and was released on November 9, 2010. Since its release the album debuted at number 13 on the Canadian R&B Albums Chart.
Off his debut album, the first single "U Can Have It All" brought him to mainstream success by reaching number 20 on the Canadian Hot 100
Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007...
and the music video reached number 5 on the MuchMusic Countdown. The second "Like Magic" reached number 24 on the Canadian Hot 100 with its music video topping the MuchMusic Countdown.
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007... |
|||
| 2007 | "Selfish Times" | — | No Dress Code |
| "Feelin' Fine" | — | ||
| "So Addicted" | — | ||
| "Won't Let Go" | — | ||
| "It's Raining" | — | ||
| 2010 | "U Can Have It All" | 20 | IAMJRDN |
| 2011 | "Like Magic" | 24 | |
| "I Don't Care" | 38 | ||
Sources
- http://www.cwofest.ca/act/102
- http://www.thevanguard.ca/Arts/Festivals-%26amp%3B-events/2010-10-25/article-1882157/JRDN-to-perform-at-Music-Week-awards-gala/1
- http://www.popculturemadness.com/interview/JRDN.html
- http://www.cityonmyback.com/2010/09/04/news-jrdn-releases-debut-album-november-2nd/
- http://www.muchmusic.com/music/firstspin/jrdn/
- http://www.hiphopcanada.com/tag/jrdn/
- http://exclaim.ca/MusicVideo/ClickHear/JRDN-U_Can_Have_It_All_video/
- http://www.mtv.ca/music/video_type.jhtml?id=1384
- http://www.cwofest.ca/act/102
- http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/scene/article/681623--jrdn-makes-for-a-highlight-on-canada-s-pop-r-b-scene
- http://eatthis.inmusic.ca/2010/10/eat-this-artist-jrdn.html