I’m so stoked to present my latest “New Music Monday” featuring the incredibly talented AJ Rafael!

AJ hails from Moreno Valley, Calif. and began playing music at the tender age of four, according to a biography on his website. Several years later, in 2004, AJ began his singing career by writing his first song. His first gig came just a year later. By the end of 2005, AJ produced his first, full-length album and found MySpace (remember that?) to be fruitful in promoting his work. His biography says that his career as a musical artist continued to grow from there, being given the opportunity to perform gigs locally, nationally and even internationally. AJ has continued to utilize social media to build his brand, becoming a highly popular figure on YouTube and other platforms.

It was YouTube where I first discovered AJ; having watched various vids featuring covers, mashups and musical challenges. One such video that stands out for me is his take on Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You” from the 2018 NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) trade show; featuring fellow artists Lorelei Cinco, TJ Brown, Chad Manalo, and Andrew Sapin.

AJ recently released a new tune entitled “Like Me” and it’s beautiful. It showcases his impeccable talent, both instrumentally and vocally. Have a listen to it below and be sure to grab your copy here!