Jerard Rice Proves Music Can Change Lives with Love Shouldn’t Cost a Thing

Every once in a while, an artist comes along who doesn’t just make music, you feel their mission in every lyric, every note, every beat. Jerard Rice is one of those rare voices. An independent artist who’s carved out his own lane blending hip-hop, pop, blues, and world music, Rice has built a career that’s equal parts artistry and activism.

Diagnosed with autism at 16, Rice never let labels define him. Instead, he turned his story into fuel, using his platform to advocate for autism awareness while building an impressive catalog of music that speaks to resilience, self-discovery, and empowerment. Along the way, he’s become a powerful advocate in the Black Lives Matter movement, proving time and again that music can be both entertainment and a catalyst for change.

And now, with his latest project Love Shouldn’t Cost a Thing, Rice takes his artistry to new heights. The 10-song album isn’t just another hip-hop record, it’s a journey. Packed with infectious energy and real-life storytelling, it flows seamlessly from track to track, offering both club-ready anthems and deeply emotional cuts layered with R&B tones, emotional guitars, and the kind of honesty that lingers long after the music stops.

“Love shouldn’t cost a or come with conditions,” Rice says, summing up the project’s message in a single, powerful line.

The record has already made waves, hitting #1 on the Amazon Best Seller charts in the UK and debuting as a Hot New Release in the U.S. at #3. Thanks to Oliver Sean and WOA, Rice’s rebrand as “Jerard Rice” comes with big support, including featuring standout tracks like Starz, C’est La Vie, and Starvin on several chart-topping, Billboard-reaching projects. Starz even received a blues version, showing Rice’s versatility as an artist who refuses to be boxed in.

His achievements are stacking up fast, BWH Music Awards, xMA Pop Awards, International Songwriting Contest recognition, but it’s the live shows where Jerard truly comes alive. Whether rocking Fenway Park, lighting up UK festival stages, or sharing the bill with legends like Boyz II Men’s Ralph Stockman and DJ Pauly D, Rice delivers every time. High energy, unfiltered passion, and a reminder that music is most powerful when it’s personal.

Funding from organizations like the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, Kodilee Giveback Grant, and MassCultural Council helped bring this vision to life, proof that the community sees the value in his mission just as much as fans do.

From the hands-out-the-car joyrides to the dancefloor-ready tracks, to the late-night reflections about life and time, Love Shouldn’t Cost a Thing is a complete statement. It’s the kind of record you don’t just play once, you live with it.

Jerard Rice is more than a musician. He’s a storyteller, an advocate, and a reminder that authenticity always cuts through the noise. With this release, he’s not just making a mark on the industry, he’s making a difference.