South African Singer Jarrad Ricketts Brings His Music Journey to Ibiza While Exploring a New Sound

November 08, 2026

South African singer-songwriter Jarrad Ricketts is combining live performances in Ibiza with a new chapter in his music career, drawing inspiration from the island's electronic music culture while continuing to explore his own sound.

In an interview broadcast by South African radio station CapeTalk on 8 November 2026, Ricketts spoke to presenter Sara-Jayne Makwala King about his experience on the island, his latest music and the importance of staying true to his creative instincts.

The Cape Town-born musician revealed that he has been performing a two-hour show featuring the music of Queen every day for the past six months. Alongside this live work, he has been absorbing the musical influences around him in Ibiza, particularly the island's internationally recognised electronic and dance music scene.

Performing Queen in Ibiza

Ricketts described his current experience on Ibiza as an opportunity to perform regularly while exploring a different musical environment.

For the past six months, he says, he has been performing a two-hour show dedicated to the music of Queen every day.

The experience has also brought him closer to the island's dance music culture, which he says has influenced the way he approaches his own music.

He explained that spending time around local producers and DJs, learning how they work and discovering different approaches to music production have opened his mind creatively.

Although his current performances focus on Queen, the musical influences he is encountering on Ibiza are helping shape his own evolving sound.

New Track 'All the Way' Explores Nostalgic House Music

One of the main subjects of the interview was Ricketts' latest track, All the Way, which received its first radio play during the CapeTalk programme.

He describes the song as nostalgic house music, influenced in part by Faithless, a group he grew up listening to.

The track reflects his interest in exploring dance music while bringing elements of his own musical background into the production.

Speaking about the inspiration behind it, Ricketts explained that he wanted to create a summer anthem with a relaxed, feel-good atmosphere.

His musical direction is not limited to one genre. He says he wants to follow the styles that genuinely excite him, including house, jazz and gospel, rather than feeling pressured to produce music according to commercial expectations.

From 'Break the Rules' to a More Independent Musical Direction

Ricketts first attracted wider attention with his debut album, Break the Rules, released in 2018.

The album received a nomination in the Best Pop Album category at the South African Music Awards, helping establish his profile as a singer-songwriter in South Africa.

Since then, he has continued releasing music, including Apology, which he said was released in August 2026.

His more recent work reflects a willingness to experiment with different sounds and move beyond the musical style associated with his earlier releases.

During the interview, he discussed how his approach to the music industry has changed over time. Earlier in his career, he was more concerned with what audiences might like and what would help him gain recognition.

Now, he says, he is less interested in chasing popularity or measuring his success through social-media approval.

Instead, he wants to make music that reflects his own interests and creative instincts.

Why Financial Independence Matters to His Music Career

Another important theme in the conversation was the independence that comes with funding his own music.

Ricketts explained that being self-funded allows him to make creative decisions without having to answer to a record label about the direction of his recordings.

He believes that musicians should consider opportunities abroad and look at ways to build businesses that can help finance their artistic careers.

His message to other musicians is that financial independence can provide greater freedom to experiment and pursue the music they genuinely want to create.

For Ricketts, this approach has become increasingly important as he moves into a new stage of his career.

Ibiza's Influence on His Next Chapter

Ibiza is internationally recognised for its electronic music scene, but the island also attracts musicians and performers working across different genres.

For Ricketts, spending six months performing on the island has offered an opportunity to experience its musical environment from a different perspective.

His daily Queen performances provide one part of his current work, while the producers, DJs and dance music culture around him are contributing to his creative development.

Rather than trying to fit into a particular musical category, he says he wants to remain open to new influences and enjoy the process of making music.

His latest work, All the Way, reflects that approach, bringing nostalgic house influences into a new direction for the South African artist.

As he continues his journey between live performance and independent music-making, Ibiza has become an important part of this chapter in his career.

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