GET READY FOR YOUNG JV

Musical treats seldom come in a neater package. Such is the case of 18-year-old new Hip-hop R&B/rapper Young JV whose 15-track debut album Ready or Not is available at all records stores nationwide. His carrier single, That Girl, is enjoying massive radio airplay. Only recently, Young JV added another feather to his cap with a well-deserved win as Best New Artist of the Year in WAVE 89.1's Urban Music Awards. The budding musician won for his carrier single That Girl.

"I am grateful," Young JV beams. "It feels good to be rewarded for something that has always been your passion." He remembers falling in love with music even as a kid. Young JV counts international R&B sensation Chris Brown and local music giants like Gary Valenciano and Billy Crawford as major influences.

One of Young JV's strengths as an artist is his gift for songwriting. "I write my own stuff." In fact, all the songs in his album are original compositions that he penned himself. "My inspiration comes from everything that takes place in my life on a daily basis," Young JV points out. In effect, his compositions are like entries in his own journal - personal, meaningful, heartfelt.

Young JV's songs speak about topics that range from the seemingly mundane (girls and relationships) to things that command a universal appeal (like peace and its elusive nature). He is especially proud of his song Kapayapaan (Give Peace A Chance). "As a young person myself, I have the power to make the youth understand kung ano yung nangyayari sa paligid nila. Through my songs, I can make them listen to me."

It is easy to understand why peace and the plight of the youth are themes close to Young JV's heart. Being the youngest child of retired PAF Col. Eduardo "Red" Kapunan who has seen combat action in Mindanao and taken part in the first EDSA Uprising, the revered soldier has imparted stories of war and its devastating aftermath to his talented son. "Hearing the stories of my father about war and the children who lose their fathers in senseless bloodbath stirred in me a yearning to tell their stories through my songs," Young JV enthuses.

Young JV went beyond setting these stories into music. With the help of some good friends, he has formed a foundation called Lahing Bayani, Inc. which aims to help out children of soldiers killed in action. "We help these kids go to school."

Young JV, with his musical talents as his weapon, is akin to a soldier launching a bloodless fight and plea for peace. He may not have followed in the footsteps of his dad but Col. Kapunan would be proud of his son all the same.

With movie-star good looks to boot, it does not come as a big surprise that ABS-CBN bigwig Johnny Manahan, more popularly known in showbiz circles as Mr. M, noticed Young JV's potentials. "I used to be a regular guest on ASAP," Young JV shares. In no time at all, Mr. Manahan asked Young JV to be part of a four-man all-boy pop group called A-POP. Other members of the group include Sam Concepcion (Pop/R&B), latest MYX VJ Nel Gomez (R&B) and Jaco Benin, son of Side A band's Joey Benin (Ballad). "We're all friends. Our chemistry is magnetic on stage and on TV," Young JV declares. A-POP is now ASAP XV's resident young male pop group that is consistently earning raves from local fans and TFC subscribers.

Co-managed by the ABS-CBN Group, Young JV is in the thick of taking acting workshops under the Kapamilya banner. Young JV says that he is open to all kinds of possibilities, like an acting venture in the future. "I'm not closing my doors," he says. "But for now, the focus is on my music."

Young JV's Ready or Not album is distributed by PolyEast Records and produced by Doin' It Big Production. Special acknowledgements go out to Marc Ecko, Dana Santos and album producer Jumbo ____.