Want to Subscribe?
Sign In or Sign Up now!

The Official Prima J YouTube channel!

The name of their debut single may be Rock Star, but the two cousins that make up Prima J are everything but. In fact, Jessica and Janelle Martinez are so down-to-earth, it seems just as odd that their song is the lead track from the Bratz-- Motion Picture Soundtrack (released by Geffen Records July 31st, with the movie following August 3). Far from precocious and everything but bratty, the pair are actually a real-life version of the comradery and competitive edge captured in the movie.

Their recent discovery and success aside, Jessica and Janelle still cant believe that theyve not only signed a record deal and are currently finishing their debut album for release later this year, but are also appearing in what is expected to be one of the summers cinema hits and have recorded an infectious single destined to help make the soundtrack a smash. None of this has hit either of us yet, says Janelle, 18. I feel like Im dreaming and someone needs to wake me up. Its one thing to record a song and a video, but its another thing to hear it on the radio or see it on TV. Thats where itll really hit me

Forgive the girls for not having teen-idol egos, but theyre just too happy and excited to be doing the same thing theyve been doing for most of their lives—singing and dancing. We just did the video for Rock Star, and it was the greatest experience ever, says Jessica, 19, with an excited laugh. We love dancing, and we were dancing all day. Its so great to get this opportunity to do it in front of a camera, and show people that we do belong here!

Jessica and Janelle Martinez got their start as a duo when they were barely old enough to talk, performing choreographed cheerleading and dance routines for their family each week during halftime of Dallas Cowboys football games. With five uncles, two aunts, and at least three cousins with each, those family gatherings were large, which explains why the girls, then four, have no problem strutting their stuff in front of audiences now. Says Jessica, We were always more into music than the rest of our family, and as we got older took every chance wed get to perform, whether it was cheerleading, dancing, school plays, choir

She did all of the clubs, student government, and had straight-As, says Janelle with a grin. I was more the class clown, tom-boy type. I like to get my nails and hair done, but at the same time, like to kick it with my guy friends and do sports Shes the girly one that likes to be chill. Im the bungee jumper and sky diver that likes roller coasters! Together, theyre a high-energy pair of real-life girls next door that blend the energy of Janet Jackson and the spunk of Gwen Stefani with the urban pop of TLC and the hip-hip bop of trailblazing duo Salt-N-Pepa.

Living in Rosemead, CA, a predominantly Latin American suburb of Los Angeles, the girls were discovered while doing choreography and dancing for a friend, R&B recording artist Nikki Flores, and were introduced to Stefanie Ridel, a former bandmate of Stacy Fergie Ferguson in the pop act Wild Orchid. Ridel took the pair under her creative wing, and quickly realized that while trios are a lot more common in pop music than duos, this was one pair that would survive just fine on their own.

Weve always stuck together, and weve always had that fire and known that we really wanted to do this, says Jessica. If one of us was good at something, the other was just as good, because we always did everything together. And, if one of us ever thought we couldnt do something, weve always been there to support each other, says Janelle. Were so close, were like sisters, were best friends and were never apart. This is just a dream come true.

Now that weve gotten this far, weve realized that it doesnt matter if youre the average, girl-next-door type, says Jessica. It doesnt matter what you look like or where youre from, you should never think that you cant accomplish something.

As Mexican-Americans, they hope to be role models to both American and Latin girls, as they consider themselves the face of the new Hispanic in America, part of an emerging generation that speaks English and lives Latin. They even go so far as to affectionately refer to each other as chilosa", a made-up word that they feel defines Prima-J: two sassy, classy, spicy and feisty girls. They may be the girls next door, but theyre also fun and fearless, with an independent spirit and deep sense of inner confidence.

We want to have a good time, but we also want to send a message to younger people and be idols for American and the Latin community, sums Janelle. Too many people dont know that if they set their mind to it, they can accomplish anything, just like we have.

Thats chilosa!