From the lecture hall to the recording studio and full-time fatherhood, Hector Jimenez, assistant professor in the School of Performing Arts at California Baptist University, proved that even the most seasoned educators have a rhythm of their own—one that now echoed through the beats of his debut EP, “Falling”.
Jimenez goes by the stage name MR. on all streaming platforms, where he released his newest EP, which he wrote and was produced by Lisa Town. It dropped on Feb. 14, 2025—Valentine’s Day—which he described as a project meant to inspire love.
“The EP is inspired by the music I listened to as a kid. I grew up listening to R&B music. And I’m in a season where I’m having a lot of fun writing R&B music and songs about love and relationships. And [Falling]—it’s a song to inspire love and be there for people who love to love the one they’re with and get to just spread positive, good vibes this Valentine’s Day,” Jimenez said.
The smooth, soulful R&B melodies in Jimenez’s EP captivated its audience, evoking the feeling of falling in love. The EP consisted of four tracks: “Falling”, “Our Time Together”, “Everything I Wanted and More”, and “Only You and Me”. Each carefully crafted song was written by Jimenez over the past year.
Drawing inspiration from the music he grew up with, Jimenez explained that the creative process had been smooth, allowing him to explore different genres.
“…As an artist, you know, exploring different topics of songs, different vibes, different genres, different sounds. Something that I kept coming back to in my writing were songs that were positive, vulnerable and honest about being in love with someone,” Jimenez said. “Nothing more, nothing less, no complications—just ‘I’m in love with you, and I want to say something to you.’”
As a professor, Jimenez had the unique opportunity to share his experience and teach what he wished he had learned as a young artist.
“It’s always the right time to follow what inspires you and what you love, and it’s also never too late to do it,” Jimenez said. “I think something that motivates me—probably the biggest motivating factor as a professor—is to be able to teach my students the things I wish I would have been taught as a student. And so being able to teach it, but then also being able to model it, is something that really means a lot to me for the students at CBU.”
“Falling” allowed Jimenez to step further into soul music, shifting his sound away from contemporary R&B. He shared the progression from his last release in August 2024, “Love You”, to now and the ease that came with live performances.
“I think this EP is kind of beginning the progression of me leaning more into soul vibes—so less contemporary R&B and more soul, neo-soul, R&B, soul… that can be performed live with a live band,” Jimenez said.
Through his music, Jimenez explored the complexities of emotions, connecting with listeners through an understanding of what it felt like to cherish a relationship. His songs offered an earnest soundtrack of love and connection.
For Jimenez, his greatest inspiration was his wife. From high school sweethearts to now raising four daughters, Jimenez juggled duties as a father, husband, professor, mentor, and artist, all while cultivating timeless music. Setting high standards for his daughters, he dedicated everything he did to his wife.
“Dedicating the project to my wife. I think any song I write is inspired by the love I have for her,” Jimenez said.
While his dedication stemmed from his love for his wife, he also inspired the hearts of his children.
“That’s been fun to see as they’ve heard the songs—you know, the whole process through it. Yeah, they heard them when I first wrote them. They like to listen to them in the car… ‘put on that song last week.’ So they’re excited,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez encouraged his students and others in the creative field to keep pushing forward and to create with positivity and love.
“For everybody who’s a creative, keep on creating and sending love to the world,” Jimenez said.
To listen to the timeless, captivating love songs that Jimenez described on his Instagram page as “music that makes you want to slow dance in the kitchen,” “Falling” by MR. is now available on all streaming platforms.
