NEW CANEY, Texas — Grammy-nominated artist Frankie J is asking for the public’s help after more than $100,000 worth of music equipment, career awards and personal memorabilia was stolen from his storage unit at Storage King USA, also referred to as Storage Kings, in New Caney, Texas, just north of Houston.
The theft left the longtime artist devastated after decades of career memorabilia disappeared, including gold and platinum records, Billboard and BMI awards, guitars, keyboards, vintage music equipment and other irreplaceable items.
Frankie J discovered the theft in September after receiving an unexpected message from a stranger on social media. The person told him they had purchased one of his music awards on the street for $200.
That message prompted Frankie J to investigate his storage unit, where he discovered that much of its contents was missing.
According to Frankie J, the theft is believed to have occurred sometime between January and March. He had previously been informed by facility staff that his storage unit had been found unlocked.
A Career’s Worth of Memories Stolen
The stolen items represent decades of Frankie J’s career as a singer, songwriter, producer and musician.
Among the missing memorabilia are gold and platinum plaques recognizing some of his biggest recordings, including “Suga Suga,” “Obsession (No Es Amor)” and “Don’t Wanna Try.” Thieves also took Billboard awards, BMI awards and other songwriter and producer honors.
The stolen music equipment reportedly includes a vintage Moog keyboard valued at nearly $14,000, a rare drum machine, custom Gibson and Fender guitars and approximately 45 to 50 keyboards.
For Frankie J, however, the significance of the collection goes far beyond its monetary value.
The items document important chapters of a career that began with his Tejano and música mexicana roots before reaching a much larger audience.
Frankie J’s Tejano Roots and Kumbia Kings Legacy
Frankie J has long been connected to the Tejano music community. Before achieving widespread mainstream success, his musical journey was rooted in the Mexican-American music culture of South Texas and the Southwest.
He later became a member of the Kumbia Kings, the influential group founded by A.B. Quintanilla III that blended cumbia, Tejano, pop, hip-hop and other musical styles.
That experience helped further establish Frankie J as an artist capable of moving between Tejano, Latin pop and mainstream music while maintaining a strong connection to his Mexican-American musical roots.
His subsequent solo career produced major hits and Grammy-nominated work, making the stolen plaques, awards and memorabilia a tangible record of the musical journey he built over decades.
“I Just Want to Get All of My Belongings Back”
Speaking with Fox 26 Houston, Frankie J described the emotional impact of discovering that his belongings had been taken.
“So I was devastated when I came out here and opened up the storage and found this out,” Frankie J said.
He explained that the stolen items represented years of hard work and included deeply personal pieces of his career.
“All the years of hard work, some personal memorabilia was taken: platinum plaques, gold plaques, I mean Billboard awards, BMI awards, songwriter, producer awards,” he said.
He questioned how someone could take such items from a storage facility where customers expect their belongings to be protected.
“You figure you’re gonna put this in a storage place and it’s gonna be safe, secure,” Frankie J said.
Despite the circumstances, Frankie J said he does not want to pursue charges against the people responsible. His priority is getting his belongings back.
“I have compassion for the people that have done this,” he said. “I just want to hopefully get all of my belongings back.”
Frankie J Asks Fans to Keep an Eye Out
Frankie J is asking fans, fellow musicians and members of the music community to be on the lookout for his stolen property.
Some of the items could potentially appear for sale online through platforms such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace, or at pawn shops and other resale locations.
Because many of the awards and pieces of equipment are distinctive, Frankie J hopes someone who comes across the stolen property will recognize it and come forward.
“If anybody knows anyone, you know, to come forward,” Frankie J said.
The stolen memorabilia represents much more than expensive equipment. For an artist whose career has connected Tejano, cumbia, Latin pop and mainstream music, the collection represents decades of musical history.
Frankie J is now hoping that some of that history can make its way back home.
Anyone with information about the stolen items or who recognizes them for sale is encouraged to contact local authorities or reach out to Frankie J directly.
Tejano Nation will continue to follow the story as more information becomes available.
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